Genesis 34
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New English Translation

Genesis 34:6-17

6Then Shechem’s father Hamor went to speak with Jacob about Dinah.

7Now Jacob’s sons had come in from the field when they heard the news. They were offended and very angry because Shechem had disgraced Israel by sexually assaulting Jacob’s daughter, a crime that should not be committed.

8But Hamor made this appeal to them: “My son Shechem is in love with your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife.

9Intermarry with us. Let us marry your daughters, and take our daughters as wives for yourselves.

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.

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!”

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.

15We will give you our consent on this one condition: You must become like us by circumcising all your males.

16Then we will give you our daughters to marry, and we will take your daughters as wives for ourselves, and we will live among you and become one people.

17But if you do not agree to our terms by being circumcised, then we will take our sister and depart.”

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Commentaries on Genesis 34

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