Genesis 34

Dinah’s Defilement (v.1–2):

Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, goes out to visit the women of the land of Canaan.

She is seen by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, who is a prince in the region.

Shechem takes Dinah, rapes her, and his actions defile her.

Shechem’s Desire to Marry Dinah (v.3–4):

Shechem is deeply in love with Dinah and desires to marry her.

He speaks kindly to her, and he asks his father, Hamor, to arrange a marriage with her, offering a generous dowry.

Jacob’s Response and Brothers’ Deception (v.5–17):

When Jacob hears about the incident, he is silent until his sons return from the field.

Hamor comes to speak with Jacob and proposes a marriage between Dinah and Shechem, suggesting an alliance between their families.

Jacob’s sons, however, are deeply angered by the dishonor brought upon their sister.

They devise a plan to take revenge on Shechem and his people.

They tell Hamor and Shechem that they will agree to the marriage only if Shechem and all the men of the city are circumcised.

The Deception and Revenge (v.18–29):

Hamor and Shechem agree to the condition and go back to their city, where they persuade the men to be circumcised in exchange for the marriage.

Three days after the circumcision, while the men are still in pain, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, take swords and attack the city.

They kill Shechem, Hamor, and all the men of the city, plundering the wealth, livestock, and possessions of the people.

Jacob’s Rebuke (v.30–31):

Jacob rebukes Simeon and Levi for their actions, fearing that the surrounding Canaanites and Perizzites will unite against them and destroy their family.

The brothers defend their actions, arguing that Shechem treated their sister like a prostitute and that justice needed to be served.

Key Themes:
The Consequences of Violence and Revenge: The violent actions of Simeon and Levi lead to further mistrust and danger, even though they acted out of a sense of justice.

Dishonor and the Need for Justice: Dinah’s violation highlights the disrespect and dishonor of women in the ancient world and the need for justice to be rightly pursued.

Moral Ambiguity: While Jacob’s sons are motivated by righteous anger, their method of revenge through deceit and violence is morally questionable. This serves as a reminder that righteous causes can be corrupted by unrighteous means.

God’s Silence: The chapter does not mention God’s direct involvement or response, suggesting the consequences of acting apart from God’s guidance.