Genesis 34
DOYLY— slew all the males.] Though this was a base action, yet God permitted it, to punish the sin of Shechem, and the connivance of his father. Bp. Wilson.
The women and children were always spared in the most deadly wars. As when the Midianites were killed, Numb. xxxi. 7, 9; and the Edomites, 1 Kings xi. 16. And so Moses commanded they should do even with the Canaanites, Deut. xx. 13, 14. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 34:7
- — wrought folly in Israel] Or, against Israel. Committed a wickedness highly to the disgrace and injury of Israel’s family. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 34:12
- Ask me never so much dowry] This shews more fully, that the custom was (as noted before, chap. xxix. 18,) for men to give money for their wives. But there was a greater reason for a dowry now, and that a large one, to make compensation for the wrong he had done. For there was a natural equity in those laws of Moses, Exod. xxii. 16, and Deut. xxii. 28, 29, by which men were bound to make satisfaction to the families, if either by enticement or violence they had abused their
daughters. Bp. Patrick. The same custom of men giving dowries for their wives prevails at this time among the Turks and Persians. Thevenot.
Genesis 34:14
- — We cannot] Or, we ought not; it is not lawful. Bp. Wilson. Here is a specious pretence of religion, with design to do an injury. Bp. Kidder.
Genesis 34:16
- And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son] To execute rigour upon a submissive offender, is more merciless than just: or if the punishment had been both just and proportionable from another, yet from them, who had avowed peace and affinity, it was shamefully unjust. To disappoint the trust of another, and to neglect our own promise and fidelity for private purposes, adds faithlessness unto our cruelty. That they were impotent, was caused by their circumcision: what impiety was this! instead of honouring a holy sign, to take an advantage by it! Bp. Hall.
Genesis 34:17
- — because they had defiled] Their prince had defiled her; and the people, it seems, did not disapprove the fact. It is therefore imputed to them all, as the cause of their slaughter. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 34:18
- — Ye have troubled me to make me to stink &c.] That is, to render me odious to all the country, as a murderer, a robber, and a breaker of my faith, as if I had been privy to your craft and cruelty. Bps. Patrick and Kidder.
CHAP. XXXV.
Genesis 34:25
- — on the third day, &c.] Physicians have observed, that this was the time when fevers usually attended circumcision, occasioned by the inflammation of the wound, which was generally then most painful Stackhouse.
— Simeon and Levi.] These are mentioned, because, being own brothers to Dinah both by father and mother, and consequently more concerned to resent the
The sons of Jacob slay them. God sendeth Jacob to Beth-el. man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and *slew all the males.
Genesis 34:31
- — Should he deal with our sister &c.] What great evils arise from small beginnings! The idle curiosity of Dinah hath bred all this mischief: ravishment follows upon her wandering; upon her ravishment, murder; upon the murder, spoil: it is holy and safe, to be jealous of the first occasions of evil, either done or suffered. Bp. Hall.
Chap. XXXV. ver. 2. — Put away the strange gods that are among you.] Hence it is supposed, that some of Jacob’s family were addicted to idolatry. But “the strange gods,” or “the gods of the stranger,” as the words may be rendered, probably mean the gods of the Shechemites, whom Jacob’s sons had taken captive, and brought into his family. These were to be put away, in order to preserve in his family that purity of worship, which he designed to keep up among them. Shackford.
— be clean, and change your garments:] The manner in which Jacob required his domesticks to purify themselves, was by washing their bodies, and putting on fresh apparel. This was a custom among other nations, as well as the Jews: and may be regarded as an external profession of the purity of heart and mind, with which persons should approach God in solemn and religious offices. Bp. Patrick.