Genesis 34:23 meaning

In the narrative surrounding Jacob's family, we witness the severity of their internal conflicts and the disastrous consequences resulting from deceit and violence. After Dinah is defiled by Shechem, her brothers Simeon and Levi leverage this situation to seek vengeance. They manipulate the circumstances by requiring circumcision as a condition for marrying Dinah, thereby masking their true intentions. The key motivation behind their deceptiveness lies in the belief that by aligning with Jacob's family, they could gain access to his wealth and resources. At the heart of the matter is the question, “Shall not their cattle and their substance be ours?” This illustrates the underlying greed and self-serving agenda driving their actions, rather than genuine concern for their sister's honor.