Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.
12. dowry and gift ] The “dowry,” or mohar, is the present made to the parents or relations, cf. Gen 24:53; Exo 22:16 ; 1Sa 18:25. The rendering “dowry” hardly, therefore, gives the correct idea to English readers. The “gift,” on the other hand, was the present made by the bridegroom to the bride, as in Gen 24:53, Gen 29:18. In Exo 22:16, as in the present passage, the “dowry” is a payment to the parents as “compensation” for wrong, as well as “purchase-money” for the wife; cf. Deu 22:28-29.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 12. Ask me never so much dowry] See Clarke on Ge 29:20, c. See the law relative to this, Ex 22:16-17.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Dowry to her for her portion, according to the ancient custom of mens buying their wives; of which see Exo 22:17; and
gift to you, either for reparation of the past injury, or in testimony of my respect to you, and desire of her, as Gen 24:53.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. Ask me never so much dowry andgiftThe gift refers to the presents made at betrothal, both tothe bride elect and her relations (compare Ge24:53), the dowry to a suitable settlement upon her.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Ask me never so much dowry and gift,…. Or “multiply [them] exceedingly” i, fix them at as high a rate as may be thought fit; the “dowry” was what a man gave to a woman at her marriage; for in those times and countries, instead of a man having a portion with his wife, as with us in our times, he gave one to his wife, or to her parents for her; and especially in after times this was used, and became a law in Israel, in the case of a vitiated virgin, see Ex 22:16; and “the gift” was either of jewels and clothes to the women, or of such like precious things to her brethren and friends, see Ge 24:53;
and I will give according as ye shall say unto me; determine among yourselves whatever shall be the dowry and gift, and it shall be punctually observed:
but give me the damsel to wife; only agree to that, and I care not what is required of me.
i – “multiplicate super me admodum”, Drusius, Schmidt.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(12) Dowry and gift.The word rendered dowry (mohar) is the price paid to the parents and relatives of the bride, though taking the form of a present. The gift (matthan) was the present made by the bridegroom to the bride herself. Besides this, her relatives were expected to give her presents, and with some tribes of Arabs it is usual even to make over to her the dowry.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 34:12. Ask me never so much dowry, &c. See ch. Gen 29:11. Thevenot, in his Travels, tells us, that the same custom of men’s giving dowries for their wives prevails at this day among the Turks and Persians. See his Travels, book i. c. 41.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 34:12 Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.
Ver. 12. See Trapp on “ Gen 34:11 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
gift. The noun put by Metonymy for the verb = ask me to give, &c.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Ask me: On the practice of purchasing wives, Deut. Lam. Roque says, “Properly speaking, a young man who would marry must purchase his wife; and fathers among the Arabs are never so happy as when they have many daughters. They form part of the riches of the house. Accordingly, when a young man would treat with a person whose daughter he is inclined to marry, he says to him, Will you give me your daughter for fifty sheep, for six camels, or for a dozen cows?’ according to the rank of her family, and the circumstances of him who desires to marry her.”
dowry: Gen 24:53, Gen 29:18, Gen 31:41, Exo 22:16, Exo 22:17, Deu 22:28, Deu 22:29, 1Sa 18:25-27, 2Sa 3:14, Hos 3:2, Mat 14:17
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 34:12-13. Ask me never so much dowry and gift Dowry to her for her portion, according to the ancient custom of mens buying their wives, Exo 22:17; and gift to you, either for reparation of the past injury, or in testimony of my respect to you, and desire of her. The sons of Jacob answered deceitfully Pretending and promising marriages with them upon that condition, which they never intended.