Genesis 34:27 - Jacob’s sons came on the dead, and plundered the city, because they had defiled their sister.
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What does "Genesis 34:27" mean?
Genesis 34 tells the story of Dinah, Jacob's daughter, who was raped by Shechem, the son of the ruler of the land. After negotiations, Jacob's sons, particularly Simeon and Levi, deceptively convinced the men of Shechem to be circumcised as a condition for intermarriage. While the men were still recovering from the circumcision, Simeon and Levi attacked the city, killing all the men, including Shechem and his father Hamor.
Verse 34:27, "Jacob’s sons came on the dead, and plundered the city, because they had defiled their sister," summarizes the aftermath of the attack. Let's break it down:
"Jacob's sons came on the dead": This refers to Jacob's other sons (besides Simeon and Levi) who joined in the pillaging. They entered the city after the massacre carried out by Simeon and Levi.
"and plundered the city": This means they looted and stole possessions from the city. They took valuables, livestock, and other goods.
"because they had defiled their sister": This is the justification given for their actions. They saw the rape of Dinah as a profound insult and violation of their family's honor. They viewed their actions as revenge and retribution for this offense.
Important considerations:
Collective Punishment: The verse highlights the concept of collective punishment, where the entire city was held responsible and punished for the actions of one individual (Shechem). This is a common theme in ancient texts, but is often viewed as unjust in modern times.
Moral Ambiguity: The story is morally complex. While the rape of Dinah was undeniably wrong, the deception and brutal revenge enacted by Simeon and Levi are also morally questionable. Jacob himself expresses his disapproval of their actions later in the story.
Honor Culture: The story reflects the honor-shame culture of the time. The violation of Dinah's honor was seen as a grave offense that demanded retribution to restore the family's standing.
In summary, Genesis 34:27 describes the aftermath of Simeon and Levi's attack on Shechem, where Jacob's sons plundered the city as revenge for the rape of their sister Dinah. The verse highlights the concept of collective punishment, moral ambiguity, and the importance of honor in the cultural context of the time.
Genesis 34:27 - Jacob’s sons came on the dead, and plundered the city, because they had defiled their sister.
What does "Genesis 34:27" mean?
Genesis 34 tells the story of Dinah, Jacob's daughter, who was raped by Shechem, the son of the ruler of the land. After negotiations, Jacob's sons, particularly Simeon and Levi, deceptively convinced the men of Shechem to be circumcised as a condition for intermarriage. While the men were still recovering from the circumcision, Simeon and Levi attacked the city, killing all the men, including Shechem and his father Hamor.
Verse 34:27, "Jacob’s sons came on the dead, and plundered the city, because they had defiled their sister," summarizes the aftermath of the attack. Let's break it down:
"Jacob's sons came on the dead": This refers to Jacob's other sons (besides Simeon and Levi) who joined in the pillaging. They entered the city after the massacre carried out by Simeon and Levi.
"and plundered the city": This means they looted and stole possessions from the city. They took valuables, livestock, and other goods.
"because they had defiled their sister": This is the justification given for their actions. They saw the rape of Dinah as a profound insult and violation of their family's honor. They viewed their actions as revenge and retribution for this offense.
Important considerations:
Collective Punishment: The verse highlights the concept of collective punishment, where the entire city was held responsible and punished for the actions of one individual (Shechem). This is a common theme in ancient texts, but is often viewed as unjust in modern times.
Moral Ambiguity: The story is morally complex. While the rape of Dinah was undeniably wrong, the deception and brutal revenge enacted by Simeon and Levi are also morally questionable. Jacob himself expresses his disapproval of their actions later in the story.
Honor Culture: The story reflects the honor-shame culture of the time. The violation of Dinah's honor was seen as a grave offense that demanded retribution to restore the family's standing.
In summary, Genesis 34:27 describes the aftermath of Simeon and Levi's attack on Shechem, where Jacob's sons plundered the city as revenge for the rape of their sister Dinah. The verse highlights the concept of collective punishment, moral ambiguity, and the importance of honor in the cultural context of the time.