Genesis 34

Genesis 34:1

rrENT out. From her mother’s tent, which was without the city, (xxxiii. 18.) f " To see the daughters of the land.] Into the city of Shechem, to look about her with the young women (as the Hebrew word imports), who, as Josephus relates, celebrated a festival at this time, where some fine spectacles were presented.

Genesis 34:2

And when Shechem. From whom the city, perhaps, had its name. Prince of the country.] Or one of the prime nobility of the country, (ver. 19.) Took her, &c] By force (as both the Targums and many others understand it), and ravished her. From whence we learn, that this was done some years after Jacob’s return into Canaan: for then Dinah was not much older than Joseph; and now we must suppose her, at least, fifteen. And indeed the bloody fact of her brethren shews as much, who must be grown up to be men: which they were not when Jacob returned to Canaan; the eldest of them being then scarcely a stripling of fourteen years old.

Genesis 34:3

His soul clave unto Dinah. He could think of nothing else but her: for he loved her extremely, as it follows in the next words. Spake kindly to the damsel] Courted her to marry him, with such professions of sincere affection, as might gain her heart, notwithstanding the injury he had done her.

Genesis 34:4

Get me this damsel to wife. Treat with her father about our marriage.

Genesis 34:5

And Jacob heard, &c. By some of Dinah’s servants or companions; for it is not to be thought, that she went out alone. Now his sons were with the cattle in the field.] Which he had lately purchased, (xxxiii. 19.) or, in some hired ground remote from the city. Held his peace, &c] Took no notice of what he heard; till he could have their advice and assistance.

Genesis 34:6

And Hamor went out. Of the city, to treat with Jacob in his tent, (xxxiii. 18.)

Genesis 34:7

And the sons of Jacob, &c. As they were treating, in came Jacob’s sons: who, hearing how their sister had been abused, were very much afflicted, and no less angry. Wrought folly in Israel] Or, against Israel Committed a wickedness, highly to the disgrace and injury of Israel’s family. Which thing ought not to be done.] Contrary to the law of nations; that a virgin should be violated without punishment. So Rasi.

Genesis 34:8

Hamor communed with them. With the whole family, Jacob, Leah, and Dinah’s brethren. Longeth.] Is extremely in love. For your daughter.] The daughter of Jacob and Leah; unto whom he speaks in the presence of her brethren.

Genesis 34:9

And make ye marriages with ns, &c. Become one people with us; (ver. 1G.)

Genesis 34:11

Let me find grace in your eyes. Grant this petition, which my father makes in my behalf, (xxxiii. 15.) And what ye shall say unto me, &c] Make your own terms, I will agree to them.

Genesis 34:12

Ask me never so much dowry and gift,. This shews more fully, that the custom of those times was (as was noted upon xxix. 18.) for men to give money for their wives. But there was a greater reason for a dowry now, and a large one too; that he might make compensation for the wrong he had done. For there was a natural equity in those laws of Moses, (Exod. xxii. 16. Deut. xxii. 28.) by which men were bound to make satisfaction to the fathers; if, either by incitement or violence, they had abused their daughters.: Dowry and gift seem to be distinct things: the dowry being given to the parents, the gift to the kindred.

Genesis 34:13

The sons of Jacob answered, &c. Hence some infer, that, by the custom of those days, the consent of the brethren was required, rather than the parents: for the sons of Jacob here make the contract, as Laban had done with Abraham’s servant, (xxiv. 50.) But it is more reasonable to think, that Jacob left it to them to consider what was fit to be done in a matter which required great deliberation, and then to report their opinion to him, who had the greatest interest in her, and right to dispose of her.

Genesis 34:14

We cannot do this thing. It is against our religion. Which was partly true; for though Jacob himself had married one whose father was uncircumcised (as Isaac had done before him), yet by degrees this opinion prevailed among them, till it was established by the law of Moses. For that were a reproach to vs.] They plead honour as well as conscience.

Genesis 34:15

In this will we consent unto you. Upon these terms we will agree to the match.

Genesis 34:17

We will take our daughter and be gone. By this it appears they treated in their father’s name, as was noted before, ver. 13.

Genesis 34:18

And their words pleased Hamor, &c. It may seem strange they should so easily consent to be circumcised, till we consider how passionately Shechcm loved Dinah, and the great affection Hamor had to Shechem: who was his beloved son, (ver. 19.) Besides, this was but a poor prince, and his city little and mean: which he thought to enrich and strengthen by Jacob’s family (who were very wealthy) being incorporated with them; (ver. 23.)

Genesis 34:19

He was more honourable. In greater esteem with his father, and all the family, than any other belonging to it

Genesis 34:20

Came unto the gate of their city. Where all public affairs were transacted. And communed with the men of the city.] Such great matters could not be concluded without the public consent. (See xxiii. 18. xxix. 22.)

Genesis 34:21

These men are peaceable. They use many arguments to persuade the people to consent: and the first is, that the Israelites had hitherto lived inoffensively among them. Let them dwell in the land, and trade therein.] By a public decree, or law. For the land is large enough.] This is the second argument, there was land enough in their country uncultivated, which these men would improve.

Genesis 34:23

Shall not their cattle, &c. This is the greatest argument of all; taken from the profit they should have by them; the gain of no less than all they had. Which is not to be understood as if they intended to overpower them, and seize upon all their stock; but that, by intermarriages, their estates would be inherited by them, as much as by the Israelites.

Genesis 34:24

All that v)ent out of the gate of his city. i. e. All the citizens (xxiii. IS.) who were met together in the common-hall (or place of public assemblies), and w T ere soon persuaded to yield to the reasons which had persuaded their rulers..

Genesis 34:25

On the third day, when they were sore. And began to be a little feverish. For the greatest pain and anguish, the Jews observe, was upon the third day after circumcision, which very much indisposed them. (See Pirke Eliez. cap. 29. and Vorstius’s Annotations, p. 195.) And indeed Hippocrates observes the same of all wounds and ulcers; that they are then most inflamed, by a conflux of sharp humours to them. - Two of the sons of Jacob, &c] With their servants: for they two alone could not destroy a whole city, though but small. Slew all the males.] The women and children in those days were always spared in the most deadly wars: as when the Midianitcs were killed, Numb. xxxi. 7. 9. and the Edomites, 1 Kings, xi. 16. And so Moses commanded they should do even with the Canaanitcs, Deut. xx. 13, 14. See Bochart, par. i. Hierozoic. lib. ii. cap. 56. Selden de Jure N. and G. lib. vi. cap. 16. p. 745. and dc Synedr. lib. i. p. 81.

Genesis 34:26

Tooi Dinah out of Shechem’s house. Where it seems sho remained, after the rape he had committed, in hope of a marriage. And went out.’] Carried her home.

Genesis 34:27

And the sons of Jacob. The rest of his sons (who were able to bear arms) came after the slaughter, and helped to plunder the city. Thus they were all involved in the guilt, which was very great and manifold; as JBonfrcrius, and, out of him, Menochius, have observed. Because they had defiled.] Their prince had defiled her: whose fact, it seems, they did not disapprove: and therefore it is imputed to them all, as the cause of their slaugh-* ter.

Genesis 34:28

They took their sheep, &c. It is a reasonable conjecture of Bonfrcrius, that Jacob caused all these to be restored to the wives and children of the slain: whom he set at liberty. And spoiled even all that tvas in the house.] Of Hamor and Shechem: which, perhaps, they kept to themselves, in compensation of the wrong he had done; and none of the iamily, perhaps, surviving to own them.

Genesis 34:30

And ye shall dwell with us. Settle yourselves among us. And the land shall be before you.] In any part of our country.. [chap. XXXIV, Dwell ye.] Ho repeats it again, to beget in them a confidence of a settlement among them; in the enjoyment of all their rights and privileges; as much as if they had been natives. And trade ye.] Exercise what traffic you please up and ■down the country, without any let or impediment. And get you possessions therein.] Purchase land. Ye have troubled me.] Disturbed my quiet, and made it unsafe for me to live in this country; whero I hoped to have settled.