And (meantime) Hamor the father of Shechem went out —accompanied by Shechem ( Genesis 34:11 )— unto Jacob —who was encamped in the outskirts of the city ( Genesis 33:18 )— to commune with him concerning Dinah's marriage with his son. read more
And the sons of Jacob ( i.e. Leah's children, Dinah's full brothers, for certain, though perhaps also her half brothers) came out of the field when they heard it (Jacob having probably sent them word): and the men were grieved ,—literally, grieved themselves, or became pained with anger, the verb being the hithpael of צָעַב , to toil or labor with pain. The LXX . connect this with the preceding clause, ὡς δὲ ἤκουσαν , κατενύγησαν οἱ ἅνδρες , implying that they did... read more
And Hamor communed (literally, spake ) with them ( i.e. the whole family, or Jacob and his sons), saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for —the root ( חָשַׁק ) signifies to join together, intrans; to be joined together, hence to cleave to another in love (cf. Deuteronomy 7:7 , Deuteronomy 7:10 , Deuteronomy 7:15 ; Deuteronomy 21:11 ); of similar import to the word ( דָּבַק ) employed in Genesis 34:3 , which means to be devotedly attached to any one, as, ... read more
And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren (speaking with becoming deference and earnestness, and manifestly prompted by fervent and sincere love), Let me find grace in your eyes ,— i.e. let my suit be accepted ( vide Genesis 33:15 )— and what ye shall say unto me I will give. Ask me never so much dowry and gift ,—literally, multiply upon me exceedingly dowry and gift; the dowry ( mohar ) being the price paid for a wife to her parents (cf. Exodus 22:16 ; 1 Samuel... read more
- Dinah’s DishonorThis chapter records the rape of Dinah and the revenge of her brothers.Genesis 34:1-5Dinah went out to see the daughters of the land. The Jewish doctors of a later period fix the marriageable age of a female at twelve years and a day. It is probable that Dinah was in her thirteenth year when she went out to visit the daughters of the land. Six or seven years, therefore, must have been spent by Jacob between Sukkoth, where he abode some time, and the neighborhood of Shekerm,... read more
Genesis 34:5. His (Jacob’s) sons were in the field Probably at a very considerable distance; for it was usual to drive their flocks many miles for pasture. Jacob held his peace till they were come Oppressed with grief and shame, on account of his daughter’s disgrace, and being unable to determine himself what steps it would be best to take, he waits for their coming and advice. read more
Genesis 34:6. Hamor went to commune with Jacob It seems that Jacob would have acted wisely if he had followed his own judgment in this affair, instead of consulting his sons, who were young, rash, and violent. But it is evident that they had gained a considerable degree of influence with him: and on this occasion they plunged him into great trouble, and his whole family into great disgrace and danger. read more
Genesis 34:7. He had wrought folly All sin is folly: but some sinful actions are attended with such circumstances of ignorance and thoughtlessness, and are so inimical to our temporal as well as eternal interests, that they peculiarly merit the name of folly. Shechem’s sin is termed folly in Israel, according to the language of after-times; for Israel was not yet a people, but a family only. read more
Genesis 34:8. Hamor communed with them Not only with Jacob, but with his sons, to whom Jacob had imprudently referred him. And here we have a particular account of the treaty, in which, it is a shame to say, the Canaanites were more honest than the Israelites. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:5
And Jacob heard —most likely from some of Dinah's companions (Patrick), since she herself was still detained in She-chore's house ( Genesis 34:26 )— that he (Hamor's son) had defiled —the verb here employed conveys the idea of rendering unclean (cf. Genesis 34:13 , Genesis 34:27 ; Numbers 19:13 ; 2 Kings 23:10 ; Psalms 79:1 ; that in Psalms 79:2 expresses the notion of violence)— Dinah his daughter . It was an aggravation of Shechem's wickedness that it was perpetrated... read more