And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
25. And it came to pass ] In this verse the Compiler has combined the two versions: (1) that which ascribes the treacherous deed to the sons of Jacob generally; and (2) that in which Simeon and Levi alone are the perpetrators of the massacre.
when they were sore ] The effects of the operation rendered the Shechemite males powerless to defend themselves. In this version there is a vein of coarse and repulsive humour. The Canaanites were not only put to the sword, but by their submission to the Israelite rite they had been outwitted. At the time of the attack, they were unable to offer any resistance.
unawares ] Better than R.V. marg. boldly. LXX = “safely,” Lat. confidenter. The meaning is that the people of Shechem were secure and unsuspecting, when the attack was made. Not the courage of the assailants, but the sense of security on the part of their victims, is indicated. Cf. “the careless Ethiopians” (Eze 30:9).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 25. On the third day, when they were sore] When the inflammation was at the height, and a fever ensued which rendered the person utterly helpless, and his state critical, Simeon and Levi, the half brothers of Dinah, took each man his sword, probably assisted by that portion of the servants which helped them to take care of the flock, came on the city boldly, betach, securely – without being suspected, and being in no danger of meeting with resistance, and slew all the males. Great as the provocation was, and it certainly was very great, this was an act or unparalleled treachery and cruelty.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
On the third day, when the pain and grief of wounds is the greatest, as physicians note,
when they were sore, and therefore not well able to defend themselves; for circumcision caused great pain in children, which was the ground of that exclamation, Exo 4:25, much more in grown men. See Jos 5:8.
Simeon and Levi: these two only are mentioned, because they were authors of the counsel, and conductors of the rest in the execution; but it is probable, from Gen 34:27, that most of their brethren were confederate with them, and that they had a considerable number of their servants with them, who would be ready enough to revenge their masters quarrel, and to punish so great a villany; but all that was done is justly ascribed to them two, as it is common for all writers to say this or that was done by such a captain or general, when in truth it was done by his soldiers.
Dinahs brethren; so they were both by the father and mother, which made them more forward and zealous than the rest.
All the males; such of them as were grown up, by comparing Gen 34:29, for these, or some of them, seem to have been the abettors of the injury against their sister and family. Their sin in this act was manifold; that they did it without sufficient authority, and against their fathers mind, as appears from Gen 34:30, and Gen 49:6, which they well knew; and without all bounds, rashly, unjustly, and cruelly punished the innocent and the guilty together, and ushered in this fact with horrible deceit and lying, and that under pretence of friendship and show of religion.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore,…. Or in “pain” k, when their pains were strong upon them, as the Targum of Onkelos; or when they were weak through the pain of circumcision, as the Targum of Jonathan; for it seems that the pain of circumcision was more intense on the third day l, and the part the more inflamed, and the person more feverish, and which is observed by physicians of other wounds; and therefore Hippocrates m advised not to meddle with wounds on the third or fourth days, or do anything that might irritate them, for on those days they were apt to rankle or be inflamed, and bring on fevers; and in this case, not only the wound was sore in itself and distressing, but being in such a part of the body, motion must give great uneasiness: nor could persons in such circumstances easily arise and walk, and go forth to defend themselves; and of this Jacob’s sons availed themselves: so
that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren; by the mother’s side as well as the father’s, being Leah’s children, and so most provoked at this indignity and abuse of their sister:
took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly; not fearing the inhabitants of it, and their rising up against them to defend themselves, knowing in what circumstances they were: or “upon the city that dwelt securely”; as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; for the men of the city had no suspicion of any such attempt that would be made upon them, and therefore were quite easy and secure, not expecting nor fearing anything of this kind:
and slew all the males; the males that were grown up, for the little ones are after said to be carried captive, Ge 34:29; Josephus n takes no notice of this circumstance of their being circumcised, but represents them as surprised in the night of their festival, overcharged with feasting, and their watch asleep, who were first killed. Though only two of Jacob’s sons were mentioned, they might be assisted by the rest; at least, no doubt, they were attended with servants, who were aiding: in accomplishing this cruel and bloody attempt.
k “dolore affecti”, Pagninus, Schmidt, “essent in dolore”, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius. l Pirke Eliezer, c. 29. m De fracturis, sect. 33. apud Scheuchzer. Physica Sacra, vol. 1. p. 93. n Antiqu. l. 1. c. 21. sect. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
But on the third day, when the Shechemites were thoroughly prostrated by the painful effects of the operation, Simeon and Levi (with their servants of course) fell upon the town (i.e., while the people were off their guard, as in Eze 30:9), slew all the males, including Hamor and Shechem, with the edge of the sword, i.e., without quarter (Num 21:24; Jos 10:28, etc.), and brought back their sister. The sons of Jacob then plundered the town, and carried off all the cattle in the town and in the fields, and all their possessions, including the women and the children in their houses. By the sons of Jacob (Gen 34:27) we are not to understand the rest of his sons to the exclusion of Simeon, Levi, and even Reuben, as Delitzsch supposes, but all his sons. For the supposition, that Simeon and Levi were content with taking their murderous revenge, and had no share in the plunder, is neither probable in itself nor reconcilable with what Jacob said on his death-bed (Gen 49:5-7, observe ) about this very crime; nor can it be inferred from in Gen 34:26, for this relates merely to their going away from the house of the two princes, not to their leaving Shechem altogether. The abrupt way in which the plundering is linked on to the slaughter of all the males, without any copulative Vav, gives to the account the character of indignation at so revolting a crime; and this is also shown in the verbosity of the description. The absence of the copula is not to be accounted for by the hypothesis that Gen 34:27-29 are interpolated; for an interpolator might have supplied the missing link by a vav, just as well as the lxx and other ancient translators.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| Murder of the Shechemites. | B. C. 1732. |
25 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males. 26 And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went out. 27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister. 28 They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field, 29 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house. 30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house. 31 And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
Here, we have Simeon and Levi, two of Jacob’s sons, young men not much above twenty years old, cutting the throats of the Shechemites, and thereby breaking the heart of their good father.
I. Here is the barbarous murder of the Shechemites. Jacob himself was used to the sheep-hook, but his sons had got swords by their sides, as if they had been the seed of Esau, who was to live by his sword; we have them here,
1. Slaying the inhabitants of Shechem–all the males, Hamor and Shechem particularly, with whom they had been treating in a friendly manner but the other day, yet with a design upon their lives. Some think that all Jacob’s sons, when they wheedled the Shechemites to be circumcised, designed to take advantage of their soreness, and to rescue Dinah from among them; but that Simeon and Levi, not content with that, would themselves avenge the injury–and they did it with a witness. Now, (1.) It cannot be denied but that God was righteous in it. Had the Shechemites been circumcised in obedience to any command of God, their circumcision would have been their protection; but when they submitted to that sacred rite only to serve a turn, to please their prince and to enrich themselves, it was just with God to bring this upon them. Note, As nothing secures us better than true religion, so nothing exposes us more than religion only pretended to. (2.) But Simeon and Levi were most unrighteous. [1.] It was true that Shechem had wrought folly against Israel, in defiling Dinah; but it ought to have been considered how far Dinah herself had been accessory to it. Had Shechem abused her in her own mother’s tent, it would have been another matter; but she went upon his ground, and perhaps by her indecent carriage had struck the spark which began the fire: when we are severe upon the sinner we ought to consider who was the tempter. [2.] It was true that Shechem had done ill; but he was endeavouring to atone for it, and was as honest and honourable, ex post facto–after the deed, as the case would admit: it was not the case of the Levite’s concubine that was abused to death; nor does he justify what he has done, but courts a reconciliation upon any terms. [3.] It was true that Shechem had done ill; but what was that to all the Shechemites? Does one man sin, and will they be wroth with all the town? Must the innocent fall with the guilty? This was barbarous indeed. [4.] But that which above all aggravated the cruelty was the most perfidious treachery that was in it. The Shechemites had submitted to their conditions, and had done that upon which they had promised to become one people with them (v. 16); yet they act as sworn enemies to those to whom they had lately become sworn friends, making as light of their covenant as they did of the laws of humanity. And are these the sons of Israel? Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce. [5.] This also added to the crime, that they made a holy ordinance of God subservient to their wicked design, so making that odious; as if it were not enough for them to shame themselves and their family, they bring a reproach upon that honourable badge of their religion; justly would it be called a bloody ordinance.
2. Seizing the prey of Shechem, and plundering the town. They rescued Dinah (v. 26), and, if that was all they came for, they might have done that without blood, as appears by their own showing (v. 17); but they aimed at the spoil; and, though Simeon and Levi only were the murderers, yet it is intimated that others of the sons of Jacob came upon the slain and spoiled the city (v. 27), and so became accessory to the murder. In them it was manifest injustice; yet here we may observe the righteousness of God. The Shechemites were willing to gratify the sons of Jacob by submitting to the penance of circumcision, upon this principle, Shall not their cattle and their substance be ours? (v. 23), and see what was the issue; instead of making themselves masters of the wealth of Jacob’s family, Jacob’s family become masters of their wealth. Note, Those who unjustly grasp at that which is another’s justly lose that which is their own.
II. Here is Jacob’s resentment of this bloody deed of Simeon and Levi, v. 30. Two things he bitterly complains of:– 1. The reproach they had brought upon him thereby: You have troubled me, put me into a disorder, for you have made me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, that is, “You have rendered me and my family odious among them. What will they say of us and our religion? We shall be looked upon as the most perfidious barbarous people in the world.” Note, The gross misconduct of wicked children is the grief and shame of their godly parents. Children should be the joy of their parents; but wicked children are their trouble, sadden their hearts, break their spirits, and make them go mourning from day to day. Children should be an ornament to their parents; but wicked children are their reproach, and are as dead flies in the pot of ointment: but let such children know that, if they repent not, the grief they have caused to their parents, and the damage religion has sustained in its reputation through them, will come into the account and be reckoned for. 2. The ruin they had exposed him to. What could be expected, but that the Canaanites, who were numerous and formidable, would confederate against him, and he and his little family would become an easy prey to them? I shall be destroyed, I and my house. If all the Shechemites must be destroyed for the offence of one, why not all the Israelites for the offence of two? Jacob knew indeed that God had promised to preserve and perpetuate his house; but he might justly fear that these vile practices of his children would amount to a forfeiture, and cut off the entail. Note, When sin is in the house, there is reason to fear ruin at the door. The tender parents foresee those bad consequences of sin which the wicked children have no dread of. One would think this should have made them to relent, and they should have humbled themselves to their good father, and begged his pardon; but, instead of this, they justify themselves, and give him this insolent reply, Should he deal with our sister as with a harlot? No, he should not; but, if he do, must they be their own avengers? Will nothing less than so many lives, and the ruin of a whole city, serve to atone for an abuse done to one foolish girl? By their question they tacitly reflect upon their father, as if he would have been content to let them deal with his daughter as with a harlot. Note, It is common for those who run into one extreme to reproach and censure those who keep the mean as if they ran into the other. Those who condemn the rigour of revenge shall be misrepresented, as if they countenanced and justified the offence.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Verses 25-31:
All the adult males of Shechem submitted to circumcision. Simeon and Levi waited unto the third day to carry out their cruel plot. Inflammation and fever from the operation usually set in on the third day. This effectively rendered the men incapable of any resistance. Simeon and Levi were Leah’s second and third sons, Dinah’s full brothers. They considered themselves the primary avengers of her honor. They boldly entered the city, confident that they would meet little or no resistance. The first objects of their vengeance were Shechem and Hamor. Then they took Dinah from Shechem’s house. Then, accompanied by Jacob’s other sons, they returned to the city where they systematically slaughtered every adult male. They then spoiled the city, after the principle that the people of a nation were involved in the crimes of their ruler. They looted Shechem of all its wealth, and took the women and children as part of the booty. The language denotes a complete sacking of the city, with every house stripped of both inmates and valuables.
Jacob was appalled at the ferocious vengeance his sons wrought upon Shechem. So strong was his revulsion that years later, on his deathbed, he referred to this infamous deed, Ge 49:5, 6.
Jacob was also frightened by what his sons had done. He realized that the Shechemites had friends and allies, who would quite likely swoop down upon his camp and do to him as his sons had done to the Shechemites.
Jacob’s rebuke of his sons was very weak. He expressed no outrage or shame, only fear of reprisal and remonstrance that what they had done would give him a bad reputation. This indicates a character weakness on Jacob’s part, that he was not yet fully cleansed from the deception he himself had perpetrated. His own obedience was not yet fully complete, for he had delayed fulfilling his vow to return to Bethel as he had promised Jehovah (Ge 28:16-22; Ec 5:4, 5; 2Co 10:6).
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
25. Simian and Levi, Dinah’s brethren. Because Moses says that the slaughter took place on the third day, the Hebrews think that, at that time, the pain of the wound was most severe. The proof, however, is not valid; nor is it of much moment. Although Moses names only two authors of the slaughter, it does not appear to me probable that they came alone, but that they were the leaders of the troop: for Jacob had a large family, and it might be that they called some of their brothers to join them; yet, because the affair was conducted by their counsel and direction, it is ascribed to them, as Cartage is said to have been destroyed by Scipio. Moses also calls them the brothers of Dinah, because they were by the same mother. We have seen that Dinah was the daughter of Leah; for which reason Simon and Levi, whose own sister she was by both parents, were the more enraged at the violation of her chastity: they were therefore impelled, not so much by the common reproach brought upon the holy and elect race, (according to their recent boast,) as by a sense of the infamy brought upon themselves. However, there is no reader who does not readily perceive how dreadful and execrable was this crime. One man only had sinned, and he endeavored to compensate for the injury, by many acts of kindness; but the cruelty of Simon and Levi could only be satiated by the destruction of the whole city; and, under the pretext of a covenant, they form a design against friends and hospitable persons, in a time of peace, which would have been deemed intolerable against enemies in open war. Hence we perceive how mercifully God dealt with that people; seeing that, from the posterity of a sanguinary man, and even of a wicked robber, he raised up a priesthood for himself. Let the Jews now go and be proud of their noble origin. But the Lord declared his gratuitous mercy by too many proofs for the ingratitude of man to be able to obscure it. Moreover, we hence learn that Moses did not speak from carnal sense; but was the instrument of the Holy Spirit, and the herald of the celestial Judge; for though he was a Levite, he yet is so far from sparing his own race, that he does not hesitate to brand the father of his tribe with perpetual infamy. And it is not to be doubted that the Lord purposely intended to stop the mouths of impure and profane men, such as the Lucianists, who confess that Moses was a very great man, and of rare excellence; but that he procured for himself, by craft and subtlety, authority over a great people, as if, indeed, an acute and intelligent man would not have known that, by this single act of wickedness, the honor of his race would be greatly tarnished. He had, however, no other design than to extol the goodness of God towards his people; and truly there was nothing which he less desired than to exercise dominion, as appears clearly from the fact, that he transferred the office of priesthood to another family, and commanded his sons to be only ministers. With respect to the Shechemites, although in the sight of God they were not innocent; seeing they preferred their own advantage to a religion which they thought lawful, yet it was not the Lord’s will that they should be so grievously punished for their fault; but he suffered this signal punishment to follow the violation of one maid, that he might testify to all ages his great abhorrence of lust. Besides, seeing that the iniquity had arisen from a prince of the city, the punishment is rightly extended to the whole body of the people: for since God never commits the government to evil and vicious princes, except in righteous judgment, there is no wonder that, when they sin, they involve their subjects with them in the same condemnation. Moreover, from this example let us learn, that if, at any time, fornication prevail with impunity, God will, at length, exact punishments so much the more severe: for if the violation of one maid was avenged by the horrible massacre of a whole city; he will not sleep nor be quiet, if a whole people indulge in a common license of fornication, and, on all sides, connive at each other’s iniquity. The sons of Jacob acted indeed wickedly; but we must observe that fornication was, in this manner, divinely condemned.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(25) Simeon and Levi, Dinahs brethren.As born of the same mother, they, with Reuben and Judah, were especially bound to espouse their sisters cause, but the method they took was cruel in the extreme. And it seems that these two were the leaders in the plot, having probably excluded Reuben from it, as a man of feeble character and opposed to bloodshed (Gen. 37:22); and Judah, as one too honourable to take part in so nefarious a transaction. Long afterwards Jacob speaks of it in terms of the strongest reprobation (Gen. 49:5-7). In executing their cruel deed, they would command the services of the more active and fierce portion of Jacobs servants; but they must have been not boys, but men of ripe manhood, before they could have had influence or power enough for so terrible an exploit.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
25. On the third day After the operation was performed . At this time the pain and fever arising from the wound in the flesh attains its height, and renders the person weak and helpless . Jacob’s sons had planned for this .
Simeon and Levi The second and third sons of Leah, Dinah’s own brothers. Genesis 33:34 . These are mentioned as leaders in all this action of cruelty. Perhaps some of their brothers went with them, (see Gen 34:27,) but are not specially mentioned because they were not leaders in the action. We are not to suppose that Simeon and Levi, alone and unattended, wrought all the slaughter and ruin here described. They doubtless commanded a large number of the servants of the household. Comp. Gen 14:14.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And it happened on the third day , when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took each man his sword and came on the city unawares and killed all the males. And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house and went out.’
The third day was when the circumcision operation laid men lowest and they were feverish with their wound. Then it was that Dinah’s brothers Simeon and Levi moved in to exact justice and demand blood to expiate the sacrilege against Dinah. They would be accompanied by their retainers, possibly supplemented by other tribal members, but because of their status as full blood-brothers to Dinah it was seen as their right and responsibility to exact punishment.
The other sons of Leah are not mentioned. Simeon and Levi were seemingly the most warlike of them and most suitable for the enterprise, and they would appear to have been appointed by general agreement to carry out the enterprise. (Jacob will later decry the attributes that made them seem so suitable (Gen 49:5-7).)
No one in the city, which would be an open unwalled city, was prepared for the assault and inevitably the men were caught unready in no condition to put up a good fight. It is specifically stressed that Hamor and Shechem were put to death. This was necessary expiation. At the same time Dinah was released from her ‘imprisonment’.
“They killed all the males.” It was a bloody business, but this was necessary to prevent retaliation.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The Revenge of Simeon and Levi
v. 25. And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, v. 26. And they slew Hamor and Shechem, his son, with the edge of the sword, v. 27. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister. v. 28. They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field, v. 29. and all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house. v. 30. And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites. v. 31. And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Gen 34:25. Two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi Though Simeon and Levi only are mentioned, there can be no doubt but their servants accompanied and assisted them in the destruction they wrought. I apprehend that, in Gen 34:27 the sons of Jacob means only Simeon and Levi, as it does not appear that any other of the sons were engaged in this enterprize; nor does Jacob condemn any other than Simeon and Levi, Gen 34:30 and surely we should be slow in involving too many in so guilty a deed. One cannot believe that so just a man as Jacob would suffer the spoil of the city to remain in his family, Gen 34:28-29. When he knew the case, doubtless he returned it to the widows and orphans, after reproving his sons, as in the following verse, for their perfidy, injustice, and cruelty.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 34:25 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
Ver. 25. On the third day. ] Which is the worst day to those that are wounded; the critical day, as the surgeons call it. Wicked men are witty, to take their opportunity to act villany.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Gen 34:25-31
25Now it came about on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came upon the city unawares, and killed every male. 26They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem’s house, and went forth. 27Jacob’s sons came upon the slain and looted the city, because they had defiled their sister. 28They took their flocks and their herds and their donkeys, and that which was in the city and that which was in the field; 29and they captured and looted all their wealth and all their little ones and their wives, even all that was in the houses. 30Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me odious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and my men being few in number, they will gather together against me and attack me and I will be destroyed, I and my household.” 31But they said, “Should he treat our sister as a harlot?”
Gen 34:25 “Now it came about on the third day. . .Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers” Grown men would have been extremely sore on the third day after circumcision. The second and third sons of Leah knew this fact and took advantage of it by totally slaughtering the male population, and took the women and children and all of the possessions for their own. Later, in Gen 49:5-7, this will be the basis of the prophecy against these two tribes assuming leadership in Jacob’s family. This is even asserted as the reason why Levi will not inherit with the other tribes, but will be dispersed throughout the tribes.
Gen 34:26 “took Dinah from Shechem’s house” This was a patriarchal culture. The reader is never informed of Dinah’s feelings or choices. One wonders
1. if she stayed at Shechem’s house voluntarily or was forced
2. if she ever returned home and told her story or was she accompanied by family members in Gen 34:1
3. if she was conscious of the covenant consequences of her potential marriage to a Canaanite
Gen 34:27
NASBJacob’s sons”
LXX, Peshitta”but the sons of Jacob”
TEV, NJB,
REB”Jacob’s other sons”
The NASB follows the MT, but the ancient versions translate it so as to involve all of Jacob’s sons in the plunder, but not the slaughter. There would have been too much booty for just two sons to have rounded up and used.
Gen 34:28-29 Ancient warfare is shocking to moderns in its violence and the taking of spoils. Women and children were seen as property to be possessed and incorporated into a new society (this was how Dinah was perceived also).
Gen 34:30-31 Jacob seems to be reacting more in fear of the circumstances than in trust toward God. God promised to protect him and be with him, but he seems to be expressing doubt of his ability based on numbers, not the promise (cf. Gen 28:15).
As Rebekah and Jacob had been used by God to force Isaac to do the prophesied thing (cf. Gen 25:23), so now too, Jacob’s sons are forcing Jacob to do the right thing (i.e., not intermarry with Canaanites and journey to Bethel). The tendency appears again in Jdg 8:33-35.
God works in surprising ways to accomplish His purposes in the family of Abraham!!!
Gen 34:30
NASB, NRSV,
JPSOA,”odious”
NKJVobnoxious”
NJB, REB”bad odour”
LXX”evil”
Peshitta”hurt my reputation”
This Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT (BDB 92, KB 107) means to cause to stink (cf. Exo 16:24; Psa 38:5). It is used metaphorically of being rejected by people in Exo 5:21; 1Sa 27:12; and here.
“the Canaanites and Perizzites” See Special Topic: Pre-Israelite Inhabitants of Palestine .
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
man. Heb. ‘ish. See App-14.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
sore: Jos 5:6, Jos 5:8
Simeon: Gen 29:33, Gen 29:34, Gen 49:5, Gen 49:7, Num 31:7, Num 31:17, Pro 4:16, Pro 6:34, Pro 6:35
slew: Gen 49:6, 2Ch 32:25
Reciprocal: Gen 35:2 – clean Gen 37:12 – in Shechem Gen 42:24 – Simeon Gen 44:7 – General Gen 46:10 – Simeon Num 1:22 – General Psa 5:6 – the bloody Pro 27:3 – but Ecc 7:9 – anger
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 34:25-27. They slew all the males Nothing can excuse this execrable villany. It was true Shechem had wrought folly in Israel, in defiling Dinah: but it ought to have been considered how far Dinah herself had been accessary to it. Had Shechem abused her in her mothers tent, it had been another matter; but she went upon his ground, and struck the spark which began the fire. When we are severe upon the sinner, we ought to consider who was the tempter. It was true that Shechem had done ill; but he was endeavouring to atone for it, and was as honest and honourable afterward as the case would admit. It is true that Shechem had done ill, but what was that to all the Shechemites? Doth one man sin, and must the innocent fall with the guilty? This was barbarous indeed. But that which above all aggravated the cruelty, was the most perfidious treachery that was in it. The Shechemites had submitted to their conditions, and had done that upon which they had promised to become one people with them. Yet they act as sworn enemies to those to whom they were lately become sworn friends, making as light of their covenant as they did of the laws of humanity. And these are the sons of Israel! Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce. Though Simeon and Levi only were the murderers, yet others of the sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city And so became accessory to the murder.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
34:25 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, {i} Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew {k} all the males.
(i) For they were the leaders of the company.
(k) The people are punished because of their wicked princes.