Genesis 34:22 - Only on this condition will the men consent to us to live with us, to become one people, if every male among us is circumcised, as they are circumcised.
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What does "Genesis 34:22" mean?
This verse, Genesis 34:22, is part of a larger narrative about Dinah, Jacob's daughter, and her interaction with Shechem, son of Hamor, the prince of the region. Shechem desired to marry Dinah. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means within that context:
Context: After Shechem sleeps with Dinah, he wants to marry her and negotiates with Jacob and his sons. Hamor, Shechem's father, proposes an agreement to Jacob's sons that would allow their people to intermarry and live together peacefully.
The "condition": The verse states the condition that Shechem and Hamor present to their own people. The sons of Jacob (Simeon and Levi specifically) deceptively state that in order for their people (Jacob's family and their servants) to live peacefully with the people of Shechem, and intermarry, all the men in the city of Shechem would need to be circumcised.
Circumcision as a sign of covenant/belonging: Circumcision was a significant religious practice for Jacob's family, a sign of their covenant with God and their identity as God's chosen people.
"Become one people": The proposal was for the two groups to merge, sharing resources, land, and ultimately their identities. Circumcision was presented as the gateway to this unification.
In essence, the verse describes a deceptive scheme. Simeon and Levi use the sacred practice of circumcision as a means to weaken the men of Shechem, making them vulnerable to attack. It was not a genuine offer of unity, but a strategic move for revenge. They agreed to the condition because they planned to kill them afterwards.
The verse is a crucial turning point in the story, highlighting themes of deception, revenge, and the clash of cultures and values.
Genesis 34:22 - Only on this condition will the men consent to us to live with us, to become one people, if every male among us is circumcised, as they are circumcised.
What does "Genesis 34:22" mean?
This verse, Genesis 34:22, is part of a larger narrative about Dinah, Jacob's daughter, and her interaction with Shechem, son of Hamor, the prince of the region. Shechem desired to marry Dinah. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means within that context:
Context: After Shechem sleeps with Dinah, he wants to marry her and negotiates with Jacob and his sons. Hamor, Shechem's father, proposes an agreement to Jacob's sons that would allow their people to intermarry and live together peacefully.
The "condition": The verse states the condition that Shechem and Hamor present to their own people. The sons of Jacob (Simeon and Levi specifically) deceptively state that in order for their people (Jacob's family and their servants) to live peacefully with the people of Shechem, and intermarry, all the men in the city of Shechem would need to be circumcised.
Circumcision as a sign of covenant/belonging: Circumcision was a significant religious practice for Jacob's family, a sign of their covenant with God and their identity as God's chosen people.
"Become one people": The proposal was for the two groups to merge, sharing resources, land, and ultimately their identities. Circumcision was presented as the gateway to this unification.
In essence, the verse describes a deceptive scheme. Simeon and Levi use the sacred practice of circumcision as a means to weaken the men of Shechem, making them vulnerable to attack. It was not a genuine offer of unity, but a strategic move for revenge. They agreed to the condition because they planned to kill them afterwards.
The verse is a crucial turning point in the story, highlighting themes of deception, revenge, and the clash of cultures and values.