Gen 34; 35: "These two chapters contain, among many other
things, an insight into the dynamics of Jacob's family. Dinah, Jacob's only
[recorded] daughter, whose name means 'justice' or 'right', appears to have
sought the company of friends in the world [perhaps] to alleviate the loneliness
she felt within the compound, where there was most likely a dearth of girls
around her age. Her adventures led her to Shechem, a [honourable?] young man of
the world it seems [in his willingness to redress his wrongdoing with Dinah, by
submitting to circumcision] and for Shechem it seems as though he has found his
'Miss Right.' Simeon and Levi are revealed as scheming and as treacherous as any
'Syrian', and their readiness to 'cheat' to gain their revenge becomes a
reflection on Jacob ['the cheat'] himself. Jacob is revealed as being ready to
wait on God in the matter of Dinah (v 5), whereas earlier in life his reactions
would have been redress the situation in his own strength, just as Simeon and
Levi now do. Rachel dies tragically in childbirth, bringing forth young Benjamin
into the world. Reuben, Jacob's firstborn son, who should have been the 'priest
in waiting' for the family, reveals his passion for the 'here and now', by
sleeping immorally with Bilhah, his mother's handmaiden. What great comfort we
derive once again from the fact that though this patriarchal family is so
dysfunctional, God continues to work with it to forward His purpose and fulfil
His plans" (CY).
Gen 34: There is no compromise! Premarital sex (fornication),
even though motivated by "love" (v 3) and desire for eventual marriage (v 4), is
nevertheless: "defilement" (v 2, AV), "violation" (v 2), a "disgraceful thing"
(v 7), "folly" (v 7, AV), a "disgrace" (v 14), and "harlotry" (v 31). (Xd
116:371).
VISIT: KJV has "see", but this is not strong enough:
"visit" or "make friends with" would be more accurate. "The verb 'to see',
followed by the preposition 'b' here has the idea of 'look over'. The young girl
wanted to meet these women and see what they were like" (NETn).
Gen 34:3
AND HE LOVED THE GIRL: Before, Shechem saw her as an
"opportunity" (to fulfill his lusts); afterward, he "loved" her -- but was it
for what she had "given" to him, which was not his by right?
Gen 34:9
A solemn marriage contract -- for generations, this was an
Arab custom.
Gen 34:13
JACOB'S SONS REPLIED DECEITFULLY...: Why were Simeon
and Levi esp cursed by Jacob in Gen 49:4-7, when this implies that all Jacob's
sons were involved? Although it appears that all the brothers were in on the
deception initially, when the actual killing takes place it is either Simeon and
Levi in the lead, or even more likely, Simeon and Levi acting alone (see vv
25,26,30).
Gen 34:16
THEN WE WILL GIVE OUR DAUGHTERS AND TAKE YOUR DAUGHTERS FOR
OURSELVES. WE'LL SETTLE AMONG YOU AND BECOME ONE PEOPLE WITH YOU: The
solution to alien marriage: Marry and convert. Perhaps Jacob felt this was the
best way out of a difficult situation (not knowing, of course, of his sons' evil
scheme).
Gen 34:19
THE MOST HONORED OF ALL HIS FATHER'S HOUSEHOLD: Typ
Jesus: see Gen 49:6n.
Gen 34:24
V 24: The old opportunistic, "wrestling" Jacob lives on
in his sons.
Gen 34:26
THEY PUT HAMOR AND HIS SON SHECHEM TO THE SWORD AND TOOK
DINAH FROM SHECHEM'S HOUSE AND LEFT: What a travesty of religion! To use it
as a snare.
Gen 34:30
Jacob demonstrates a temporary loss of faith.
YOU HAVE BROUGHT TROUBLE ON ME BY MAKING ME A STENCH:
It is only later that we hear of Jacob's moral outrage (Gen 49:5,6). As well, he
neglected to mention the demeaning influence this incident would have on the
reputation of God, for they were supposed to be showing forth His glory, that
is, the mission and mandate that went with the covenant. And so this God-loved
family moved from spiritual function to dysfunction, as revenge guided their
instincts in how they dealt with the terrible trauma that befell their family.
Revenge made them to stink in the eyes of their neighbors.
Gen 34:31
A very lame excuse, considering general attitude of all the
Shechemites.