Genesis 34:19 - The young man didn’t wait to do this thing, because he had delight in Jacob’s daughter, and he was honored above all the house of his father.
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What does "Genesis 34:19" mean?
This verse, Genesis 34:19, is part of the story of Dinah, Jacob's daughter, being violated by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the Hivite prince. Let's break it down:
"The young man didn’t wait to do this thing...": This refers to Shechem's eagerness to follow through with his plan. He wanted to marry Dinah. The "thing" he needed to do was fulfill the requirement set by Jacob's sons: that all the men of his city be circumcised.
"...because he had delight in Jacob’s daughter...": This explains his motivation. He was strongly attracted to Dinah and genuinely wanted to marry her. The word "delight" suggests a deep infatuation or love, though in the context of the entire story, the sincerity and appropriateness of this "delight" are highly questionable. He already violated her, so whether this delight is based on respect or a deeper, more genuine feeling is debated.
"...and he was honored above all the house of his father.": This emphasizes Shechem's high social standing. He was the most respected member of his father's household, likely implying he was the heir and held considerable influence. This suggests that if he's willing to undergo circumcision (a risky procedure) and convince all the other men in his city to do the same, it shows the extent of his desire for Dinah. This is important because it also shows the level of influence that he has over his father's house and his willingness to use it.
In summary, the verse is saying that Shechem was so enamored with Dinah and so respected in his community that he immediately set about fulfilling the conditions set by Jacob's sons to marry her, despite the potentially dangerous and widespread nature of the requirement. It underscores Shechem's passion (or perhaps infatuation) and his power within his family and city.
Important Context:
It's crucial to remember that this verse is part of a larger, disturbing narrative. Shechem's initial act was a violation of Dinah.
The motives of Jacob's sons are also questionable. They deceptively use the circumcision requirement to later exact revenge on the men of Shechem.
The verse does not condone Shechem's actions or the subsequent violence of Jacob's sons. It simply explains Shechem's immediate reaction and social standing within the story.
The entire story is a complex exploration of themes of honor, revenge, deception, and cultural conflict, and the meaning of this single verse needs to be understood within that context.
Genesis 34:19 - The young man didn’t wait to do this thing, because he had delight in Jacob’s daughter, and he was honored above all the house of his father.
What does "Genesis 34:19" mean?
This verse, Genesis 34:19, is part of the story of Dinah, Jacob's daughter, being violated by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the Hivite prince. Let's break it down:
"The young man didn’t wait to do this thing...": This refers to Shechem's eagerness to follow through with his plan. He wanted to marry Dinah. The "thing" he needed to do was fulfill the requirement set by Jacob's sons: that all the men of his city be circumcised.
"...because he had delight in Jacob’s daughter...": This explains his motivation. He was strongly attracted to Dinah and genuinely wanted to marry her. The word "delight" suggests a deep infatuation or love, though in the context of the entire story, the sincerity and appropriateness of this "delight" are highly questionable. He already violated her, so whether this delight is based on respect or a deeper, more genuine feeling is debated.
"...and he was honored above all the house of his father.": This emphasizes Shechem's high social standing. He was the most respected member of his father's household, likely implying he was the heir and held considerable influence. This suggests that if he's willing to undergo circumcision (a risky procedure) and convince all the other men in his city to do the same, it shows the extent of his desire for Dinah. This is important because it also shows the level of influence that he has over his father's house and his willingness to use it.
In summary, the verse is saying that Shechem was so enamored with Dinah and so respected in his community that he immediately set about fulfilling the conditions set by Jacob's sons to marry her, despite the potentially dangerous and widespread nature of the requirement. It underscores Shechem's passion (or perhaps infatuation) and his power within his family and city.
Important Context:
It's crucial to remember that this verse is part of a larger, disturbing narrative. Shechem's initial act was a violation of Dinah.
The motives of Jacob's sons are also questionable. They deceptively use the circumcision requirement to later exact revenge on the men of Shechem.
The verse does not condone Shechem's actions or the subsequent violence of Jacob's sons. It simply explains Shechem's immediate reaction and social standing within the story.
The entire story is a complex exploration of themes of honor, revenge, deception, and cultural conflict, and the meaning of this single verse needs to be understood within that context.