And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that [were] a reproach unto us:
14. uncircumcised ] The passage contains the interesting and early tradition, that circumcision was not practised by the Canaanite dwellers in Shechem. On the widespread prevalence of this rite, see note on ch. 15. In J and E, Israelite circumcision is specially connected with the names of Moses and Joshua (Exo 4:25; Jos 5:2). The peculiar treachery of Jacob’s sons is made to turn upon their insistence on the sacred national rite of circumcision. The condition which Shechem, in Gen 34:19 (J), undertakes to satisfy, is not explained, in view of E’s account ( Gen 34:13-18).
a reproach ] Compare the similar expression in Jos 5:9, where it appears that the Egyptians reproached the Israelites for their neglect of circumcision.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 14. That were a reproach unto us] Because the uncircumcised were not in the covenant of God; and to have given an heiress of the promise to one who had no kind of right to its spiritual blessings, from whom might spring children who would naturally walk in the way of their father would have been absurd, reproachful and wicked. Thus far they were perfectly right; but to make this holy principle a cloak for their deceitful and murderous purposes, was the full sum of all wickedness.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
There was no such law yet in force, as the examples of Isaac and Jacob show, who married the daughters of uncircumcised persons; and therefore they do not here reject it as simply unlawful, but only as dishonourable and reproachful.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And they said unto them,…. Levi and Simeon, to Hamor and Shechem:
we cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; not that there was any law against it at that time; and there were, on the other hand, precedents for it both in Isaac and Jacob, who had married the daughters of uncircumcised persons; nor indeed do they plead any law, only that it was not becoming their character, nor agreeably to their religion, nor honourable in their esteem:
for that [were] a reproach unto us; and they should be reflected upon for slighting the institution of circumcision, which was of God: so they pretend it might be interpreted, should they enter into affinity with uncircumcised persons.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Gen 17:11 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 34:14 And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that [were] a reproach unto us:
Ver. 14. That were a reproach unto us. ] And yet the world reproached them with nothing more than with their circumcision; as it is to be seen in Horace, Juvenal, Tacitus. Appion scoffs at it, and is answered by Josephus. But, as he were a fool that would be mocked out of his inheritance; so he, much more, that would be mocked out of his religion. “Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor,” saith David, “because the Lord is his refuge”; because he runs to God by prayer. But to show how little he regarded their reproaches, he falls presently a-praying, “Oh that the salvation of Israel,” &c. Psa 14:6-7 So Nazareth was a reproach cast upon Christ; and he glories in it: Act 22:8 “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.” He saith not; I am the Son of God, heir of all things, King of the Church, &c.; but, “I am Jesus of Nazareth.” “If this be to be vile,” said David, “I will be yet more vile.” 2Sa 6:22
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
uncircumcised: Gen 17:11, Jos 5:2-9, 1Sa 14:6, 1Sa 17:26, 1Sa 17:36, 2Sa 1:20, 2Sa 15:7, 1Ki 21:9, Mat 2:8, Mat 2:13, Mat 23:1-39, Rom 4:11
Reciprocal: Gen 29:8 – until Num 12:1 – married Jos 5:9 – I rolled away Jdg 14:3 – uncircumcised 1Sa 11:2 – reproach Psa 5:6 – the bloody
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 34:14. We cannot give our sister to one who is uncircumcised They were not prohibited from doing this by any law yet in force, as the examples of Isaac and Jacob show, who both married the daughters of uncircumcised persons; and therefore they do not here reject the proposal as simply unlawful, but only as dishonourable and reproachful. Religion is too often pleaded for the vilest practices.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
34:14 And they said unto them, {c} We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that [were] a {d} reproach unto us:
(c) They used the holy ordinance of God a means to accomplish their wicked purpose.
(d) As it is abomination for those who are baptized to be joined to infidels.