Genesis 34

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 34 of 50

1 And Dinah, the daughter of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.

2 And Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, and took her, and lay with her, and humbled her.

3 And his soul clung to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. And he loved the girl, and spoke to the heart of the girl.

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Chapter Summary

1 Dinah is raped by Shechem. 4 He asks to marry her. 13 Jacob's sons say no unless all of the men of the city are circumcised. 20 Lusting for Jacob's wealth, they agree. 25 Simeon and Levi kill all the men. 27 and plunder their city.

Key Hebrew Words

מָלַל circumcise H4135 · TWOT 1204
מִרְמָה deceit H4820 · TWOT 2169b
טָמֵא defile H2930 · TWOT 809c
נְבָלָה disgraceful folly H5039 · TWOT 1285b
חֶרְפָּה reproach H2781 · TWOT 749a
חֶ֫רֶב sword H2719 · TWOT 732a

People & Context

Shechem

Hivite prince who defiles Dinah, loves her, and seeks her as wife, agreeing to be circumcised before being killed

Dinah

Daughter of Leah and Jacob, defiled by Shechem and later taken back from his house by her brothers

Hamor

The Hivite, father of Shechem, who negotiates intermarriage with Jacob's sons before being killed

Jacob

Dinah's father, who keeps silent and afterward rebukes Simeon and Levi for endangering his house

Simeon

Son of Jacob who, with Levi, takes his sword and kills every male of the city in revenge

Levi

Son of Jacob who, with Simeon, slaughters the men of Shechem and plunders the city

Timeline

Dinah's Rape

Dinah, Leah's daughter, goes out to see the daughters of the land. Shechem, son of Hamor (Hivite prince), sees her, takes her, lies with her, and humiliates her. Shechem's soul clings to Dinah, and he loves her.

Genesis 34:1-3
Shechem Desires to Marry Dinah

Shechem asks his father Hamor to get Dinah as his wife.

Genesis 34:4
Jacob's Sons' Anger and Deceitful Condition

Jacob hears of Dinah's defilement, but waits for his sons to return from the field. Hamor comes to speak with Jacob. Jacob's sons are furious, calling it disgraceful folly against Israel. Hamor proposes intermarriage and living among them. Shechem offers any bride-price. Jacob's sons, speaking deceptively due to the defilement of their sister, say they cannot give their sister to an uncircumcised man, as it is a reproach. They will only consent if all males among them are circumcised, then they will become one people. Otherwise, they will take Dinah and leave.

Genesis 34:5-17

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