Genesis 34:25 - Exposition

And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore ,—literally, in their being in pain ; δτε η}san e)n tw=| po&nw;| ( LXX .). Inflammation and fever commonly set in on the third day, which was for that reason regarded as the critical day— that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren ( i.e. sons of the same mother, Leah), took each man his sword, and came upon the city —accompanied by their servants (Keil), or their father's men (Murphy), but this is doubtful (Lange). That the other sons of Jacob and brethren of Dinah did not pursue their thirst for vengeance to the same extremity as Simeon and Levi seems apparent from Genesis 34:27 ; yet it is quite possible that they joined with Simeon and Levi in the assault upon the city (Rosenmüller, 'Speaker's Commentary') which they made—boldly,— i.e. either they themselves feeling confident of success because of the sickness which lay upon the inhabitants (Ainsworth, Dathe, Rosenmüller, Murphy, &c.;), or, while the city was lulled into security in consequence of the treaty (Onkelos, Josephus, Keil, Lange), or perhaps referring only to the fact that they encountered no opposition, and came in safety (ἀσφαλῶς) to the city ( LXX ; Kalisch)— and slew all the males . Probably the town was small.