Then Shechem’s father Hamor went out to talk with Jacob.(A) Meanwhile, Jacob’s sons had come in from the fields as soon as they heard what had happened. They were shocked(B) and furious,(C) because Shechem had done an outrageous thing in[a] Israel(D) by sleeping with Jacob’s daughter—a thing that should not be done.(E)

But Hamor said to them, “My son Shechem has his heart set on your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife.(F) Intermarry with us; give us your daughters and take our daughters for yourselves.(G) 10 You can settle among us;(H) the land is open to you.(I) Live in it, trade[b] in it,(J) and acquire property in it.(K)

11 Then Shechem said to Dinah’s father and brothers, “Let me find favor in your eyes,(L) and I will give you whatever you ask. 12 Make the price for the bride(M) 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.”

13 Because their sister Dinah had been defiled,(N) Jacob’s sons replied deceitfully(O) as they spoke to Shechem and his father Hamor. 14 They said to them, “We can’t do such a thing; we can’t give our sister to a man who is not circumcised.(P) That would be a disgrace to us. 15 We will enter into an agreement with you on one condition(Q) only: that you become like us by circumcising all your males.(R) 16 Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves.(S) We’ll settle among you and become one people with you.(T) 17 But if you will not agree to be circumcised, we’ll take our sister and go.”

18 Their proposal seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem. 19 The young man, who was the most honored(U) of all his father’s family, lost no time in doing what they said, because he was delighted with Jacob’s daughter.(V)

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 34:7 Or against
  2. Genesis 34:10 Or move about freely; also in verse 21

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