GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 34:1 Almost as soon as Jacob returns to Canaan, an incident threatens the future security of his family. While the rape of Dinah by Shechem is inexcusable, the retribution by Simeon and Levi far exceeds the crime. Jacob is very conscious of how their actions have endangered h... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 34:2 HAMOR THE HIVITE, THE PRINCE OF THE LAND, was clearly a person of some importance in Shechem. While Hamor’s son SHECHEM is initially attracted to Dinah by lust, he now desires to hold on to her as his wife. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (v... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 34:8 Although Hamor comes to speak to Jacob (v. Genesis 34:6), Jacob appears to be pushed aside by his sons. They are the ones who speak with Hamor and Shechem. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 34:11 In an attempt to win over Dinah’s family, Shechem offers a generous BRIDE PRICE AND GIFT. This was a normal part of marriage arrangements in the ancient Near East. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 34:14 In ch. Genesis 17:1, circumcision is introduced as the sign of God’s covenant with Abraham. Those who are circumcised acknowledge Abraham as their father. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 34:21 THESE MEN ARE AT PEACE WITH US. Hamor and Shechem are completely fooled by Jacob’s sons. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 34:25 TWO OF THE SONS OF JACOB, SIMEON AND LEVI. Although all of Jacob’s sons were involved in the deception, only Simeon and Levi are involved in slaughtering ALL THE MALES. This explains why both brothers are later passed over in favor of their younger brother Judah (Genesi... [ Continue Reading ]