Genesis 34:5-7 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:5

And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter ,.... That is, that Shechem had defiled her; the report of this was brought him very probably by one of the maids which attended her to the city; for it was hardly to be thought that she should go thither alone, and which must be very distressing to Jacob to hear of: this was his first affliction in his own family, but it was not the only one, nor the last, others quickly followed: now his sons were with his cattle in the field ; he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:6

And Hamor, the father of Shechem, went out unto Jacob ,.... Unto the tent of Jacob without the city: to commune with him ; to talk with him about the affair of Dinah, to pacify him, and endeavour to gain his consent, that his son might marry her, and to settle the, terms and conditions of the marriage. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:7

And the sons of Jacob came out of the field, when they heard it ,..... Either by a messenger Jacob sent to them, to acquaint them with it, or by some other hand: however, be it as it will, as soon as they heard of the abuse of their sister, they immediately left their flocks to the care of their servants, and came to their father's tent: and the men were grieved and were very wroth ; they were grieved for the sin committed against God, very probably, as well as for the injury done to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:7

He had wrought folly in Israel - The land, afterwards generally called Israel, was not as yet so named; and the sons of Jacob were neither called Israel, Israelites nor Jews, till long after this. How then can it be said that Shechem had wrought folly in Israel? The words are capable of a more literal translation: בישראל beyisrael , may be translated, against Israel. The angel had said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob - not only Jacob, but Israel. It was this that aggravated the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:5

Verse 5 5.And Jacob heard. Moses inserts a single verse concerning the silent sorrow of Jacob. We know that they who have not been accustomed to reproaches, are the more grievously affected when any dishonor happens to them. Therefore the more this prudent man had endeavored to keep his family pure from every stain, chaste and well-ordered, the more deeply is he wounded. But since he is at home alone, he dissembles, and keeps his grief to himself, till his sons return from the field. Moreover,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:7

Verse 7 7.And the sons of Jacob came out of the field. Moses begins to relate the tragic issue of this history. Shechem, indeed, had acted wickedly and impiously; but it was far more atrocious and wicked that the sons of Jacob should murder a whole people, to avenge themselves of the private fault of one man. It was by no means fitting to seek a cruel compensation for the levity and rashness of one youth, by the slaughter of so many men. Again, who had constituted them judges, that they should... 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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:1-31

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:1-31

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