New English Translation
Genesis 34:12
12You can make the bride price and the gift I must bring very expensive, and I’ll give whatever you ask of me. Just give me the young woman as my wife!”
Genesis 34:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.
- New International Version (NIV)Make the price for the bride and the gift I am to bring as great as you like, and I’ll pay whatever you ask me. Only give me the young woman as my wife.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)Ask me for as great a bride-price and gift as you will, and I will give whatever you say to me. Only give me the young woman to be my wife."
- New King James Version (NKJV)Ask me ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give according to what you say to me; but give me the young woman as a wife.”
Context of Genesis 34:12
10You may live among us, and the land will be open to you. Live in it, travel freely in it, and acquire property in it.” 11Then Shechem said to Dinah’s father and brothers, “Let me find favor in your sight, and whatever you require of me I’ll give. You can make the bride price and the gift I must bring very expensive, and I’ll give whatever you ask of me. Just give me the young woman as my wife!” 13Jacob’s sons answered Shechem and his father Hamor deceitfully when they spoke because Shechem had violated their sister Dinah. 14They said to them, “We cannot give our sister to a man who is not circumcised, for it would be a disgrace to us.
Read all of Genesis 34Genesis 34:12 word by word
הַרְבּ֨וּ עָלַ֤י מְאֹד֙ מֹ֣הַר וּמַתָּ֔ן וְאֶ֨תְּנָ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר תֹּאמְר֖וּ אֵלָ֑י וּתְנוּ־לִ֥י אֶת־הַֽנַּעֲרָ֖ לְאִשָּֽׁה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Askרָבָהrâbâh · to multiplyH7235
- me never so muchמְאֹדme'ôd · muchH3966
- dowryמֹ֫הַרmôhar · bridepriceH4119
- and giftמַתָּןmattân · giftH4976
- and I will giveנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
- according as ye shall sayאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- me the damselנַעֲרָהna‛ărâh · maidenH5291
- to wifeאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · woman: wifeH802
Cross-references for Genesis 34:12
- Genesis 24:53Then he brought out gold, silver jewelry, and clothing and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave valuable gifts to her brother and to her mother.
- Genesis 29:18Since Jacob had fallen in love with Rachel, he said, “I’ll serve you seven years in exchange for your younger daughter Rachel.”
- Genesis 31:41This was my lot for twenty years in your house: I worked like a slave for you – fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, but you changed my wages ten times!
- Exodus 22:16“If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged and has sexual relations with her, he must surely endow her to be his wife.
- Deuteronomy 22:28Suppose a man comes across a virgin who is not engaged and overpowers and rapes her and they are discovered.
- 1 Samuel 18:25Saul replied, “Here is what you should say to David: ‘There is nothing that the king wants as a price for the bride except a hundred Philistine foreskins, so that he can be avenged of his enemies.’” (Now Saul was thinking that he could kill David by the hand of the Philistines.)
- 2 Samuel 3:14David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth son of Saul with this demand: “Give me my wife Michal whom I acquired for a hundred Philistine foreskins.”
- Hosea 3:2So I paid fifteen shekels of silver and about seven bushels of barley to purchase her.
- Matthew 14:17They said to him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”
Commentaries on Genesis 34:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Ask me never so much dowry - See Clarke on Genesis 29:20; (note), etc. See the law relative to this, Exodus 22:16, Exodus 22:17.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-31Verses 1-31 - Dinah‘s Dishonor This chapter records the rape of Dinah and the revenge of her brothers. Genesis 34:1-5 Dinah went out to see the daughters of the land. The Jewish doctors of a later period fix the marriageable age of a female at twelve years and a day. It is probable that Dinah was in her thirteenth year when she went out to visit the daughters of the land. Six or seven years, therefore, must have been spent by Jacob between Sukkoth, where…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-31After Jacob and his family settled in the land, the Canaanites became a threat. This story warns the Israelites about the risk of being influenced by the Canaanites. Later, God commanded Israel not to marry or make deals with them because they were corrupt and would corrupt others. This chapter gives an implicit warning against adopting their lifestyle (34:1–2). It also teaches Israel to maintain integrity and not misuse holy things for deceit or violence…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Ask me never so much dowry and gift--The gift refers to the presents made at betrothal, both to the bride elect and her relations (compare Ge 24:53), the dowry to a suitable settlement upon her.Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 34:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Genesis 34
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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