Genesis 34

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 34

Chapter 34 At this chapter begins the story of Jacob's afflictions in his children, which were very great, and are recorded to show, 1. The vanity of this world. That which is dearest to us may prove our greatest vexation, and we may meet with the greatest crosses in those things of which we said, ?This same shall comfort us.? 2. The common griefs of good people. Jacob's children were circumcised, were well taught, and prayed for, and had very good examples set them; yet some of them proved... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 34:1-5

Dinah was, for aught that appears, Jacob's only daughter, and we may suppose her therefore the mother's fondling and the darling of the family, and yet she proves neither a joy nor a credit to them; for those children seldom prove either the best or the happiest that are most indulged. She is reckoned now but fifteen or sixteen years of age when she here occasioned so much mischief. Observe, 1. Her vain curiosity, which exposed her. She went out, perhaps unknown to her father, but by the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 34:6-17

Jacob's sons, when they heard of the injury done to Dinah, showed a very great resentment of it, influenced perhaps rather by jealousy for the honour of their family than by a sense of virtue. Many are concerned at the shamefulness of sin that never lay to heart the sinfulness of it. It is here called folly in Israel (Gen. 34:7), according to the language of after-times; for Israel was not yet a people, but a family only. Note, 1. Uncleanness is folly; for it sacrifices the favour of God,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 34:18-24

I. Hamor and Shechem fairly propose this match, in order to a coalition in trade. Shechem is deeply in love with Dinah; he will have her upon any terms, Gen. 34:11, 12. His father not only consents, but solicits for him, and gravely insists upon the advantages that would follow from the union of the families, Gen. 34:9, 10. He shows no jealousy of Jacob, though he was a stranger, but rather an earnest desire to settle a correspondence with him and his family, making him that generous offer,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 34:25-31

Here, we have Simeon and Levi, two of Jacob's sons, young men not much above twenty years old, cutting the throats of the Shechemites, and thereby breaking the heart of their good father. I. Here is the barbarous murder of the Shechemites. Jacob himself was used to the sheep-hook, but his sons had got swords by their sides, as if they had been the seed of Esau, who was to live by his sword; we have them here, 1. Slaying the inhabitants of Shechem?all the males, Hamor and Shechem particularly,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 34 This chapter gives an account of the ravishment of Dinah by Shechem, Genesis 34:1 ; of his father Hamor and him treating with Jacob and his sons about the marriage of her, Genesis 34:6 ; of the condition proposed by Jacob's sons, circumcision of all the males in Shechem, which was agreed to by Shechem and his father, Genesis 34:13 ; of the men of Shechem being persuaded to yield to it, Genesis 34:20 ; and of the destruction of them on the third day by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:1

And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob ,.... Who is supposed to be at this time about fourteen or fifteen years of age: for that she was but about nine or ten years old is not to be credited, as some compute it F26 R. Ganz. Tzemach David, par. l. fol. 6. 2. : she is observed to be the daughter of Leah, partly that the following miscarriage might bring to mind her forwardness to intrude herself into Jacob's bed, and be a rebuke unto her; and partly to account for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:2

And when Shechem the son of Hamor ,.... From whom the city had its name, near which Jacob and his family now were: the Hivite, prince of the country ; Hamor was an Hivite, which was one of the nations of the land of Canaan, and this man was the prince or a principal man of that nation, as well as of Shechem. Josephus F3 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 1. c. 21. sect. 1.) calls him a king: when the son of this man saw her ; that is, Dinah, what a beautiful person she was, and was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:3

And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob ,.... His inclination was to her, she was always in his thoughts; it was not a mere lustful desire that was suddenly raised, and soon over, but a constant and continued affection he bore to her, as follows: and he loved the damsel ; sincerely and heartily: and spake kindly unto the damsel ; or "to the heart" F7 על לב "ad cor", Pagninus, Vatablus, Drusius, Schmidt; super cor, Montanus, Munster; "cordi", Junius &... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:4

And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor ,.... And told him the whole affair, at least what a strong affection he had for Dinah: saying, get me this damsel to wife ; by which he meant not only that he would give his consent that he might marry her, but that he would get her parents' consent unto it, and settle the matter with them; by which it appears how early, and that even among Heathen nations, consent of parents on both sides was judged necessary to marriage. It seems by this as if... read more

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