Genesis 31:1-24
Jacob Moves His Flocks to Canaan
Genesis 31:17-42
(O) Laban Chases Jacob And Confronts Him
Genesis 31:25-55
Laban And Jacob Make Peace
Genesis 32:1-32
Jacob Wrestles With God
Genesis 33:1-20
Jacob Mets Esau
Genesis 34:1-31
Jacob’s Sons Seek Revenge
Genesis 35:1-29
Return to and Departure from Bethel
Genesis 36:1-43
Decendants of Esau
Jacob’s Sons Seek Revenge
Genesis 34:1–31
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A very tragic story unfolds in this chapter. Dinah, Jacob’s daughter by Leah, who must have been about 14 years of age, ended up having physical relations with Shechem, the son of Hamor (vv. 1-2). When Jacob’s family found out, her two brothers, Simeon and Levi, were infuriated. They could think of nothing but swift vengeance.
At first an offer for material things was made by Hamor and turned down as Simeon and Levi took over the negotiations (vv. 8-13). They spoke deceitfully by saying they were not evaluating the wrong done to them in terms of riches but in terms of religious principles (v. 14). They said that before they could consider a marital alliance the Canaanite men must all accept their basic religious premise of being circumcised v. 15). They promised further marriage alliances and the uniting of their two tribes into one. If they refused, they would take Dinah and leave (vv. 16-17). This was a deceptive offer. They never expected the men of Shechem to accept it, but they all did and were circumcised (vv. 18-24). While all these men were suffering from this painful operation Simeon and Levi massacred every man in the place and Dinah was dragged back home (vv. 25-26). Jacobs other sons took all their possessions and families (vv. 27-29). Jacob was alarmed and troubled by all of this (vv. 30-31). He feared retaliation from the other Canaanites tribes in the region.
Application
I want to be a person who always pays good back for evil and never seeks to take revenge.
Genesis 34:1-31 (English Standard Version)
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