Genesis 34:17 - But if you will not listen to us, to be circumcised, then we will take our sister, and we will be gone.”
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What does "Genesis 34:17" mean?
This verse is part of a larger narrative in Genesis 34 about Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and her interaction with Shechem, the son of Hamor, the ruler of the region. To understand the meaning of verse 17, you need to understand the context:
Dinah's Defilement: Shechem seizes Dinah, rapes her, and then develops feelings for her, wanting to marry her.
Hamor's Proposal: Hamor approaches Jacob and his sons with a proposal: he wants his son Shechem to marry Dinah, and he proposes that both groups intermarry and live together in their land.
Jacob's Sons' Deceit: Jacob's sons (Simeon and Levi, in particular) are enraged and deeply offended by Shechem's act. They feign agreement to the proposal but set a condition they know will be difficult to fulfill: all the men of Shechem's city must be circumcised. They couch this in religious terms, making it seem like a requirement for them to intermarry with uncircumcised people.
Verse 17: This verse represents the contingency if the men of Shechem refuse to be circumcised. Simeon and Levi are saying, "If you refuse to be circumcised, then we will take our sister Dinah back, and we will leave."
What it means:
Ultimatum: This is an ultimatum. The sons of Jacob are setting a condition that must be met.
Withdrawal: If the condition isn't met, they will withdraw from the negotiation. They will not allow their sister to marry Shechem, and they will leave the area entirely.
Implied Threat: While not explicitly stated, there's an implied threat. If the Shechemites don't agree, there's a potential for conflict. They are not saying outright they will wage war, but their departure creates a sense of instability and potential hostility.
Deception: The core of this verse lies in the fact that Jacob's sons are acting deceptively. They don't truly intend to allow the marriage, even if the Shechemites comply. They are using the requirement of circumcision as a pretext to enact revenge.
In essence, verse 17 is a critical point in the narrative that highlights:
The sons of Jacob's cunning and vengeful nature.
The conditional nature of their "agreement," designed to be difficult to fulfill.
Their intent to use the situation for their own purposes, which ultimately leads to violence and bloodshed (as the narrative continues, Simeon and Levi, after the men of Shechem are circumcised and weakened, attack the city and kill all the males, plundering the city).
The verse underscores the complex and morally ambiguous nature of the story.
Genesis 34:17 - But if you will not listen to us, to be circumcised, then we will take our sister, and we will be gone.”
What does "Genesis 34:17" mean?
This verse is part of a larger narrative in Genesis 34 about Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and her interaction with Shechem, the son of Hamor, the ruler of the region. To understand the meaning of verse 17, you need to understand the context:
Dinah's Defilement: Shechem seizes Dinah, rapes her, and then develops feelings for her, wanting to marry her.
Hamor's Proposal: Hamor approaches Jacob and his sons with a proposal: he wants his son Shechem to marry Dinah, and he proposes that both groups intermarry and live together in their land.
Jacob's Sons' Deceit: Jacob's sons (Simeon and Levi, in particular) are enraged and deeply offended by Shechem's act. They feign agreement to the proposal but set a condition they know will be difficult to fulfill: all the men of Shechem's city must be circumcised. They couch this in religious terms, making it seem like a requirement for them to intermarry with uncircumcised people.
Verse 17: This verse represents the contingency if the men of Shechem refuse to be circumcised. Simeon and Levi are saying, "If you refuse to be circumcised, then we will take our sister Dinah back, and we will leave."
What it means:
Ultimatum: This is an ultimatum. The sons of Jacob are setting a condition that must be met.
Withdrawal: If the condition isn't met, they will withdraw from the negotiation. They will not allow their sister to marry Shechem, and they will leave the area entirely.
Implied Threat: While not explicitly stated, there's an implied threat. If the Shechemites don't agree, there's a potential for conflict. They are not saying outright they will wage war, but their departure creates a sense of instability and potential hostility.
Deception: The core of this verse lies in the fact that Jacob's sons are acting deceptively. They don't truly intend to allow the marriage, even if the Shechemites comply. They are using the requirement of circumcision as a pretext to enact revenge.
In essence, verse 17 is a critical point in the narrative that highlights:
The sons of Jacob's cunning and vengeful nature.
The conditional nature of their "agreement," designed to be difficult to fulfill.
Their intent to use the situation for their own purposes, which ultimately leads to violence and bloodshed (as the narrative continues, Simeon and Levi, after the men of Shechem are circumcised and weakened, attack the city and kill all the males, plundering the city).
The verse underscores the complex and morally ambiguous nature of the story.