Bible Commentary

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. Then will we give our daughters unto you,…. Meaning Dinah, whom they call their daughter, Ge 34:17; because she was the daughter of their family, and because … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 34:16”

But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we [be], that every male of you be circumcised; But in this will we consent unto you,…. Upon the following condition, that Dinah should be given in marriage: if ye will be as we [be], that every male of you be circumcised; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 34:15”

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, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 34:14”

And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister: 13. the sons of Jacob ] In Gen 34:13-18 we have the treacherous proposal, made by the sons of Jacob, by which they would be able to revenge themselves upon the Shechemites, and attack … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 34:13”

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” … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 34:12”

And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, Let me find grace in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give. 11. And Shechem ] Here, and in Gen 34:12, Shechem makes his own) overtures to Jacob and his sons. In Gen 34:6 ; Gen 34:8-10, Hamor has been … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 34:11”

And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein. Before you, i.e. in your power, to dwell where you please, and to have the same rights and privileges in it which we enjoy. See Gen 20:15. Get you possessions therein; or, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 34:10”

And make ye marriages with us, [and] give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you. 9. make ye marriages with us ] Hamor’s proposition is to the effect that the Israelites and the Shechemites should be amalgamated on the basis of (1) intermarriage, (2) trading rights, (3) rights of occupation of land. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 34:9”

And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife. Hamor communed with them; with Jacobs sons, to whom Jacob committed the business, being himself oppressed with shame and grief, and fear for his daughter. Your daughter, the daughter of your … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 34:8”

And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard [it]: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob’s daughter; which thing ought not to be done. 7. wrought folly ] The word neblah denotes “senseless wickedness,” an offence … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 34:7”