Genesis 34:27

Translations

Modern

Jacob’s other sons came upon the slaughter and looted the city, because their sister had been defiled.

Traditional

The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.

Literal

The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and they plundered the city because they had defiled their sister:

Latin

Quibus egressis, irruerunt super occisos ceteri filii Jacob: et depopulati sunt urbem in ultionem stupri.

Original

Hebrew

English

Jacob’s other sons came upon the slaughter and looted the city, because their sister had been defiled.

Notes

Genesis 34:25–29

When Simeon and Levi used circumcision (the sign of God’s covenant) to deceive and kill the Canaanite men, they showed disrespect for that sacred sign. Their killing of all the males and their looting of the city was not justice. It was harsh and excessive revenge.

They were angry and wanted to correct a wrong. But they should have asked for payment for the harm done (see Exodus 22:16–17; Deuteronomy 22:28–29). Instead, their violent anger led to the loss of their birthright blessing (the special family blessing given to the firstborn; Genesis 49:5–7).

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 Shechem Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Joshua 7:1
The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.
Joshua 7:21
When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”
Esther 9:10
They killed these ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Genesis 34:31
But they replied, “Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?”
Joshua 7:13
Get up and consecrate the people, saying, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Among you, O Israel, there are things devoted to destruction. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.
Genesis 34:2
When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the region, saw her, he took her and lay with her by force.
Exodus 2:14
But the man replied, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “This thing I have done has surely become known.”
Esther 9:16
The rest of the Jews in the royal provinces also assembled to defend themselves and rid themselves of their enemies. They killed 75,000 who hated them, but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

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

Topics

Deception: Jacob's Sons, in Entrapping the Shechemites Dishonesty: Simeon and Levi Deceive the Shechemites Homicide: Felonious: Simeon and Levi Vengeance: Sons of Jacob on Hamor and Shechem

Genesis 34:27

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