The Bible Says Commentary on Genesis 34

Genesis 34 recounts a troubling event in the city of Shechem, which was located in the central hill country of Canaan. Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, went out “to visit the daughters of the land” (34:1), only to be violated by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the local ruler. Feeling drawn to Dinah, Shechem expressed a desire to marry her. Jacob’s sons, led by Simeon and Levi, agreed to the union on one condition: that all the men of the city be circumcised. Hamor and Shechem convinced the rest of their people to comply, hoping to integrate with Jacob’s family and gain access to their possessions.

On the third day, when the men of Shechem were still in pain, Simeon and Levi attacked. They killed Shechem, Hamor, and all the males in the city, taking Dinah from Shechem’s house and seizing the city’s wealth. Jacob rebuked Simeon and Levi, saying, “You have brought trouble on me by making me odious among the inhabitants of the land” (34:30). The chapter ends without a direct resolution from Jacob, but it sets the stage for future tensions and sets a precedent for how Jacob’s children would face conflict.

Shechem itself holds significant relevance in the greater narrative of Scripture. Later, in the time of Joshua, Shechem became a central spot where the Israelites renewed their covenant with God (Joshua 24:1). In New Testament times, near this same region (often associated with Samaria), Jesus offered “living water” to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:5-14), linking the location to the theme of God’s grace extended to all people.

Genesis 34 also illustrates the tension between the desire for justice and the need for divine guidance. Though the brothers believed they were defending Dinah’s honor, their merciless retaliation foreshadows the problems that violent vengeance can bring. Jesus later taught to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), showing a stark contrast between human-driven revenge and divine compassion. In the wider context of Genesis, this chapter highlights the ever-present need for reliance on God’s direction instead of impulsive, self-directed retribution.