Genesis 34:16 - then will we give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 34:16" mean?
This verse, Genesis 34:16, is spoken by the sons of Jacob (specifically Simeon and Levi) to the men of Shechem, as part of a deceptive plan. It outlines the terms the sons of Jacob propose for co-existence and intermarriage. Let's break down the meaning:
"Then will we give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us...": This refers to intermarriage. The sons of Jacob are saying they are willing to have their daughters marry the men of Shechem, and in return, the men of Shechem could take their daughters to be wives of Jacob's sons. This is often interpreted as a gesture of peace and integration between the two groups.
"...and we will dwell with you...": This indicates a commitment to living together in the same place, establishing a shared community.
"...and we will become one people.": This suggests a complete integration of the two groups into a single, unified society. They would no longer be separate entities but would share a common identity and allegiance.
Important Context:
The context of this verse is crucial. The proposal is deeply deceptive. Jacob's sons are motivated by revenge because Shechem (the son of Hamor, the ruler of the city) had raped their sister Dinah. They are not genuinely interested in peaceful co-existence. The condition they set for this intermarriage and unification is that all the men of Shechem must be circumcised. They know this is a painful and weakening procedure, and they plan to attack and kill the men while they are recovering.
In summary, the verse presents a facade of peaceful integration through intermarriage and shared living, but in reality, it's a trap to enable the sons of Jacob to exact revenge.
So, while the literal meaning points to unification, the actual meaning within the story is one of deceit, violence, and exploitation. The verse's seeming promise of unity is a stark contrast to the brutal reality that follows.
Genesis 34:16 - then will we give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
What does "Genesis 34:16" mean?
This verse, Genesis 34:16, is spoken by the sons of Jacob (specifically Simeon and Levi) to the men of Shechem, as part of a deceptive plan. It outlines the terms the sons of Jacob propose for co-existence and intermarriage. Let's break down the meaning:
"Then will we give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us...": This refers to intermarriage. The sons of Jacob are saying they are willing to have their daughters marry the men of Shechem, and in return, the men of Shechem could take their daughters to be wives of Jacob's sons. This is often interpreted as a gesture of peace and integration between the two groups.
"...and we will dwell with you...": This indicates a commitment to living together in the same place, establishing a shared community.
"...and we will become one people.": This suggests a complete integration of the two groups into a single, unified society. They would no longer be separate entities but would share a common identity and allegiance.
Important Context:
The context of this verse is crucial. The proposal is deeply deceptive. Jacob's sons are motivated by revenge because Shechem (the son of Hamor, the ruler of the city) had raped their sister Dinah. They are not genuinely interested in peaceful co-existence. The condition they set for this intermarriage and unification is that all the men of Shechem must be circumcised. They know this is a painful and weakening procedure, and they plan to attack and kill the men while they are recovering.
In summary, the verse presents a facade of peaceful integration through intermarriage and shared living, but in reality, it's a trap to enable the sons of Jacob to exact revenge.
So, while the literal meaning points to unification, the actual meaning within the story is one of deceit, violence, and exploitation. The verse's seeming promise of unity is a stark contrast to the brutal reality that follows.