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34:1–31 The threat to the covenant community at Shechem was severe. Hamor’s proposal would have meant the assimilation of Jacob’s family into the surrounding peoples (vv. 8–10; Num. 25:1–3 note).
The transition from Jacob’s act of worship (33:20) to the depraved behavior of ch. 34 is striking. Instead of residing at Shechem (33:18, 19), perhaps Jacob should have fulfilled his vow at Bethel (28:22; 31:13; 35:1). There is no mention of God in this chapter and no separation from idolatry (35:1–5), a sad commentary on Jacob’s spiritual leadership (35:4 note).