Genesis 34

1 went out. A friendly visit, but culpable, for Jacob’s family was to be separate from the Canaanites.

2 defiled. Literally, “humbled” (R.V.). The Hebrew word commonly implies force.

7. Folly in Israel.** The sacred writer here uses a phrase of later times to express the brothers’ sense of the dishonour done to the chosen race. Cp. Josh. vii. 15; Judges xx. 6.

12 to wife. In the ardour of his passion, Shechem adds to his father’s proposals far more liberal offers of his own. His frank confession of the wrong contrasts strongly with the deceitful dealings of Jacob’s sons: see ver. 19.

13 the sons of Jacob. Especially Simeon and Levi, xlix. 5.

19 honourable. i.e., in public estimation; which may partly account for the general submission of the people to the rite.

25. Simeon and Levi. These two were the leaders; probably accompanied by their servants, and possibly by some of their brothers.—boldly. Or, “unawares” (R.V.).

29 in the house. Thus one sin leads to another. Dinah’s laxity leads to seduction, or violence: this to wrath; wrath thirsts for revenge; and revenge works itself out in treachery, murder, and lawless depredation. For the Christian duty see Rom. xii. 19; 1 Thess. v. 15. The horror with which Jacob himself regarded the transaction appears in his dying adjurations, xlix. 5, 6.