Tyndale Open Study NotesGenesis 34

• Dinah was probably Jacob's only daughter (30:21).

• Shechem … saw her, he took her and lay with her by force: Shechem took Dinah and raped her, which ruined her chances for a proper marriage.

After 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 (34:13). Israel's reputation was at risk in the land (34:30). Because of their violent actions, Simeon and Levi did not receive the birthright blessing (49:5–7).

Shechem had strong feelings for Dinah, and he was willing to go through great trouble because of her (34:11–12, 17–18, 24). However, the way he showed his “love” (not true love, but a selfish desire) was impulsive and self-centered. It also broke accepted moral standards of that time (compare Judges 14:2; see 1 Corinthians 13:4–7; 1 John 4:10).

His character shows why Israel needed to stay separate from the Canaanites (the people living in the land at that time).

Jacob’s response to this crime is surprising. When he heard that Dinah had been defiled, he said nothing about it until his sons came home. Because Jacob did not act, his sons did, though without the wisdom and integrity necessary for justice.

Dinah’s full brothers were shocked and furious that Shechem had done such a disgraceful thing to Jacob’s family (literally in Israel; this is the first use of the name Israel to describe the family). This sexual crime was an outrage against the community of God’s people and deserved punishment, but the leader of the clan did nothing.

Hamor suggested a marriage alliance for mutual economic gain. But God had already promised Jacob everything, including the land (34:10; see 14:21–24). Hamor wanted to control Israel’s wealth (34:23). Trusting the Canaanites would not lead to anything good.

For some of these reasons, the law of Moses did not allow Israelites to marry Canaanites (see Exodus 23:27–33; Deuteronomy 7:1–5). The exception would be if they converted (see Joshua 2:1–15; 6:23–25; Matthew 1:5).

Dinah’s brothers responded to the proposal without waiting for Jacob to respond, and they acted deceitfully. They may not have thought that Shechem and his people would ever agree to the rite of circumcision, but they knew what they would do if the Canaanites accepted (34:25).

The Canaanite men agreed to the condition, and every male in the town was circumcised. This was not only to allow Shechem to marry Dinah. They also saw it as a way to gain everything that Jacob owned (34:23).

When Simeon and Levi used circumcision (the sign of God’s covenant) to deceive and kill the Canaanite men, they showed disrespect for that sacred sign. Their killing of all the males and their looting of the city was not justice. It was harsh and excessive revenge.

They were angry and wanted to correct a wrong. But they should have asked for payment for the harm done (see Exodus 22:16–17; Deuteronomy 22:28–29). Instead, their violent anger led to the loss of their birthright blessing (the special family blessing given to the firstborn; Genesis 49:5–7).

Jacob responded again fearfully because of what might happen to him. But God made the people of the land fear him instead (35:5).