Genesis 34:7 - The sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it. The men were grieved, and they were very angry, because he had done folly in Israel in lying with Jacob’s daughter; a thing ought not to be done.
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What does "Genesis 34:7" mean?
This verse from Genesis 34:7 describes the reaction of Jacob's sons when they returned to camp and heard about the defilement of their sister Dinah by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the Hivite prince. Let's break it down:
"The sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it.": This sets the scene. The brothers were away, likely tending to the flocks or doing other agricultural work. News of what happened to Dinah reached them while they were away.
"The men were grieved, and they were very angry...": This indicates their immediate emotional response. They were deeply saddened (grieved) and enraged (very angry) by the news. This highlights the strong sense of family honor and the deep connection they felt to their sister.
"...because he had done folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter...": This explains the reason for their grief and anger. The act of Shechem having sexual relations with Dinah is described as "folly in Israel." "Folly" here implies an act of disgrace, sin, and moral transgression. The phrase "in Israel" is significant. While they weren't yet a nation in the formal sense, the family of Jacob were considered the beginning of what would become the nation of Israel, emphasizing the gravity of the act within their community.
"...a thing ought not to be done.": This underscores the violation of the moral and social order. It conveys that Shechem's actions were unacceptable and went against the established norms and principles of their family and community. This wasn't just about a personal offense to Dinah; it was seen as a violation of the entire community.
In essence, the verse reveals the deep offense Jacob's sons took at the defilement of their sister. They saw it as a dishonorable act, a transgression against their family, and a violation of the moral code of their nascent community. This anger will lead to the deceptive and violent acts of revenge that follow in the rest of the chapter. It highlights the importance of honor, family ties, and moral purity in the patriarchal society of that time.
Genesis 34:7 - The sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it. The men were grieved, and they were very angry, because he had done folly in Israel in lying with Jacob’s daughter; a thing ought not to be done.
What does "Genesis 34:7" mean?
This verse from Genesis 34:7 describes the reaction of Jacob's sons when they returned to camp and heard about the defilement of their sister Dinah by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the Hivite prince. Let's break it down:
"The sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it.": This sets the scene. The brothers were away, likely tending to the flocks or doing other agricultural work. News of what happened to Dinah reached them while they were away.
"The men were grieved, and they were very angry...": This indicates their immediate emotional response. They were deeply saddened (grieved) and enraged (very angry) by the news. This highlights the strong sense of family honor and the deep connection they felt to their sister.
"...because he had done folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter...": This explains the reason for their grief and anger. The act of Shechem having sexual relations with Dinah is described as "folly in Israel." "Folly" here implies an act of disgrace, sin, and moral transgression. The phrase "in Israel" is significant. While they weren't yet a nation in the formal sense, the family of Jacob were considered the beginning of what would become the nation of Israel, emphasizing the gravity of the act within their community.
"...a thing ought not to be done.": This underscores the violation of the moral and social order. It conveys that Shechem's actions were unacceptable and went against the established norms and principles of their family and community. This wasn't just about a personal offense to Dinah; it was seen as a violation of the entire community.
In essence, the verse reveals the deep offense Jacob's sons took at the defilement of their sister. They saw it as a dishonorable act, a transgression against their family, and a violation of the moral code of their nascent community. This anger will lead to the deceptive and violent acts of revenge that follow in the rest of the chapter. It highlights the importance of honor, family ties, and moral purity in the patriarchal society of that time.