Keraia
Genesis 34

Genesis 34:16

The Revenge of Dinah’s Brothers · Genesis 34:13–31
Read Genesis 34

Translations

Modern
Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We will dwell among you and become one people.
Traditional
Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
Literal
And we will give our daughters to you, and your daughters we will take for us. And we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
Latin
…tunc dabimus et accipiemus mutuo filias vestras ac nostras: et habitabimus vobiscum, erimusque unus populus.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We will dwell among you and become one people.

Notes

Genesis 34:13–17

Dinah’s brothers responded to the proposal without waiting for Jacob to respond, and they acted deceitfully. They may not have thought that Shechem and his people would ever agree to the rite of circumcision, but they knew what they would do if the Canaanites accepted (34:25).

Genesis 34:1–31

After Jacob and his family settled in the land, the Canaanites became a threat. This story warns the Israelites about the risk of being influenced by the Canaanites. Later, God commanded Israel not to marry or make deals with them because they were corrupt and would corrupt others. This chapter gives an implicit warning against adopting their lifestyle (34:1–2).

It also teaches Israel to maintain integrity and not misuse holy things for deceit or violence (34:13). Israel's reputation was at risk in the land (34:30). Because of their violent actions, Simeon and Levi did not receive the birthright blessing (49:5–7).

Theme notes and profiles

Jacob Circumcision Shechem Symbolic Numbers

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Circumcision Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Patriarchs, Period of the Shechem (Person)

Topics

Deception: Jacob's Sons, in Entrapping the Shechemites Dishonesty: Simeon and Levi Deceive the Shechemites