Genesis 34:13-18 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:13

And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor deceitfully ,.... Proposing the marriage of their sister on terms after mentioned, when they never intended it should ever be: Onkelos, Jonathan, and Jarchi interpret it, "with wisdom", as if they answered wisely and prudently, but the word is never used in a good sense; and if it was wisdom, it was carnal wisdom and wicked cunning, and was disapproved of by plain hearted Jacob: and said : or spoke in this deceitful manner: because he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:14

And they said unto them ,.... Levi and Simeon, to Hamor and Shechem: we cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised ; not that there was any law against it at that time; and there were, on the other hand, precedents for it both in Isaac and Jacob, who had married the daughters of uncircumcised persons; nor indeed do they plead any law, only that it was not becoming their character, nor agreeably to their religion, nor honourable in their esteem: for that ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:15

But in this will we consent unto you ,.... Upon the following condition, that Dinah should be given in marriage: if ye will be as we be , that every male of you be circumcised ; as the sons of Jacob were, according to the command given to Abraham their great grandfather, Genesis 17:10 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:16

Then will we give our daughters unto you ,.... Meaning Dinah, whom they call their daughter, Genesis 34:17 ; because she was the daughter of their family, and because they were entreating in the name of their father, and in conformity to the language used by those they were treating with, Genesis 34:9 , and we will take your daughters to us ; in marriage for wives: and we will dwell with you ; not as sojourners but as fellow citizens: and we will become one people ; being so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:17

But if ye will not hearken to us to be circumcised ,.... Will not agree to this condition, circumcision: then will we take our daughter ; by force, as the Targum of Jonathan adds: and we will be gone : depart from this part of the country, and go elsewhere. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:18

And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son. The condition proposed was acceptable to them both, and they agreed to comply with it; Hamor, because of the great love he had for his son; Shechem, because of the great love he had for Dinah. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:13

Answered - deceitfully - Which nothing could excuse; yet, to show that they had had much provocation, it is immediately subjoined וידברו vaidabberu , they spoke thus because he had defiled Dinah their sister; for so this parenthesis should be read. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:14

That were a reproach unto us - Because the uncircumcised were not in the covenant of God; and to have given an heiress of the promise to one who had no kind of right to its spiritual blessings, from whom might spring children who would naturally walk in the way of their father would have been absurd, reproachful and wicked. Thus far they were perfectly right; but to make this holy principle a cloak for their deceitful and murderous purposes, was the full sum of all wickedness read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:14

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