Genesis 34:23 - Won’t their livestock and their possessions and all their animals be ours? Only let us give our consent to them, and they will dwell with us.”
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What does "Genesis 34:23" mean?
This verse comes from a complex and troubling story in Genesis 34, detailing the rape of Dinah, Jacob's daughter, by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the Hivite prince. After the rape, Shechem wants to marry Dinah, and Hamor proposes to Jacob and his sons that they intermarry and live together.
Verse 34:23 is part of Hamor and Shechem's attempt to persuade the men of their city to agree to the covenant required by Jacob's sons. The context is crucial:
The Deception: Jacob's sons, specifically Simeon and Levi, have deceptively told Hamor and Shechem that they will only agree to intermarriage and cohabitation if all the men of Shechem are circumcised, as they are. This is a trap.
The Allure of Wealth: Hamor and Shechem are arguing to their own people that the circumcision is worth it. They highlight the potential for immense material gain:
"Won’t their livestock and their possessions and all their animals be ours?" This is the core of the verse. Hamor and Shechem are promising their people that if they are circumcised (and thus agree to the terms set by Jacob's sons), they will inherit all of the wealth of Jacob's family. They are essentially saying, "Let's do this painful thing because we'll become incredibly rich!"
"Only let us give our consent to them, and they will dwell with us." This reinforces the idea that a simple agreement (and the act of circumcision) will lead to a harmonious relationship and a massive transfer of wealth.
In essence, the verse is a cynical and self-serving argument aimed at convincing the men of Shechem to be circumcised based solely on the promise of economic benefit. It shows Hamor and Shechem's manipulative nature and their willingness to prioritize wealth above ethical considerations.
The Outcome:
The men of Shechem agree to be circumcised. While they are still recovering from the surgery, Simeon and Levi, fueled by revenge for the rape of their sister, attack the city, kill all the men (including Hamor and Shechem), and plunder the city.
Therefore, the verse is important because:
It reveals the manipulative and materialistic reasoning behind Hamor and Shechem's proposal.
It highlights the deceptive nature of Jacob's sons' agreement.
It sets the stage for the violent and treacherous events that follow.
The entire story of Dinah and Shechem is a complex and morally ambiguous passage in the Bible, raising important questions about intermarriage, religious conversion, revenge, and the pursuit of wealth.
Genesis 34:23 - Won’t their livestock and their possessions and all their animals be ours? Only let us give our consent to them, and they will dwell with us.”
What does "Genesis 34:23" mean?
This verse comes from a complex and troubling story in Genesis 34, detailing the rape of Dinah, Jacob's daughter, by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the Hivite prince. After the rape, Shechem wants to marry Dinah, and Hamor proposes to Jacob and his sons that they intermarry and live together.
Verse 34:23 is part of Hamor and Shechem's attempt to persuade the men of their city to agree to the covenant required by Jacob's sons. The context is crucial:
The Deception: Jacob's sons, specifically Simeon and Levi, have deceptively told Hamor and Shechem that they will only agree to intermarriage and cohabitation if all the men of Shechem are circumcised, as they are. This is a trap.
The Allure of Wealth: Hamor and Shechem are arguing to their own people that the circumcision is worth it. They highlight the potential for immense material gain:
"Won’t their livestock and their possessions and all their animals be ours?" This is the core of the verse. Hamor and Shechem are promising their people that if they are circumcised (and thus agree to the terms set by Jacob's sons), they will inherit all of the wealth of Jacob's family. They are essentially saying, "Let's do this painful thing because we'll become incredibly rich!"
"Only let us give our consent to them, and they will dwell with us." This reinforces the idea that a simple agreement (and the act of circumcision) will lead to a harmonious relationship and a massive transfer of wealth.
In essence, the verse is a cynical and self-serving argument aimed at convincing the men of Shechem to be circumcised based solely on the promise of economic benefit. It shows Hamor and Shechem's manipulative nature and their willingness to prioritize wealth above ethical considerations.
The Outcome:
The men of Shechem agree to be circumcised. While they are still recovering from the surgery, Simeon and Levi, fueled by revenge for the rape of their sister, attack the city, kill all the men (including Hamor and Shechem), and plunder the city.
Therefore, the verse is important because:
It reveals the manipulative and materialistic reasoning behind Hamor and Shechem's proposal.
It highlights the deceptive nature of Jacob's sons' agreement.
It sets the stage for the violent and treacherous events that follow.
The entire story of Dinah and Shechem is a complex and morally ambiguous passage in the Bible, raising important questions about intermarriage, religious conversion, revenge, and the pursuit of wealth.