Genesis 34:1-35:21

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:1

And Dinah - went out to see the daughters of the land - It is supposed that Jacob had been now about seven or eight years in the land, and that Dinah, who was about seven years of age when Jacob came to Canaan, was now about fourteen or fifteen. Why or on what occasion she went out we know not, but the reason given by Josephus is very probable, viz., that it was on one of their festivals. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:1

Verse 1 1.And Dinah... went out. This chapter records a severe contest, with which God again exercised his servant. How precious the chastity of his daughter would be to him, we may readily conjecture from the probity of his whole life. When therefore he heard that she was violated, this disgrace would inflict the deepest wound of grief upon his mind: yet soon his grief is trebled, when he hears that his sons, from the desire of revenge, have committed a most dreadful crime. But let us examine... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:1

And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob ,—if Dinah was born before Joseph ( Genesis 30:21 ) she was probably in her seventh year when Jacob reached Succoth ( Genesis 33:17 ); but it does not follow that she was only six or seven years of age when the incident about to be described occurred (Tuch, Bohlen). If Jacob stayed two years at Succoth and eight in Shechem (Petavius), and if, as is probable, his residence in Shechem terminated with his daughter's dishonor... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:1-31

The tragedy at Shechem. I. DINAH AND SHECHEM . 1. A young girl ' s indiscretion . "Dinah went out to see the daughters of the land." If Dinah's object was to witness the manners of the people, she was guilty of objectionable curiosity; if to exhibit herself, of distressing vanity; if to mingle in their entertainments, of improper levity; and for all these reasons, considering the character of the family to which she belonged, and the wickedness of the people with whom... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:1-31

Good out of evil. The whole of this miserable story has its place in the development of the kingdom of God. No alliance can be true and safe which is not upon the foundation of the Divine covenants. Circumcision without faith is a mere carnal ordinance, working evil. The sin of Shechem was avenged, but it was avenged by the commission of a greater sin by Simeon and Levi. It was not thus that the kingdom of God was to be spread. "Ye have troubled me," Jacob said. And so have all worldly... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 34:1-31

- 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 34:1

Genesis 34:1. Dinah, the daughter of Leah, went out From her father’s house into the city, out of curiosity, there being then, as Josephus asserts, ( Ant., lib. 50. c. 20,) a great concourse of people to a feast. It does not appear that she asked, much less obtained, her father’s consent in this: but, to gratify her foolish fancy, put herself out of his protection, and exposed both herself and others to temptation, and that among persons who had no fear of God to restrain them from the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:1-31

Back in Canaan (33:18-35:15)From Succoth Jacob later moved with his household across the Jordan River into Canaan itself and settled in Shechem. By buying a piece of land, he gained permanent possession of part of the land God had promised to him and his descendants (18-20; cf. 23:1-20; 28:1-5).When the son of a local headman raped Jacob’s daughter Dinah, the headman suggested to Jacob that his son marry Dinah, and that Jacob’s sons marry the local Canaanite women (34:1-12). Jacob’s sons agreed... read more

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