Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Genesis 34:3
Perceiving her to be exceedingly enraged and perplexed at this horrid violence, he endeavours to appease and sweeten her, and to get her consent to marry him. read more
Perceiving her to be exceedingly enraged and perplexed at this horrid violence, he endeavours to appease and sweeten her, and to get her consent to marry him. read more
He desires both his father’s consent and assistance herein. read more
Being unable to punish the delinquent, and not knowing what to do, he waits for his sons’ coming and advice. read more
CRITICAL NOTES.—Genesis 34:1. To see the daughters of the land.] To make their acquaintance—to pay them a friendly visit. Genesis 34:3. He loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.] Heb. “He loved the damsel and spake to her heart.” The idea seems to be conveyed that he endeavoured to comfort her by promising marriage and fidelity. MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Genesis 34:1-5DINAH’S DISHONOURIllustrates the following truths—I. That there is great danger in a vain curiosity of... read more
Genesis 33:20 ; Genesis 34:1 In erecting this altar Jacob both set up a witness against the false worship and idolatry of the people among whom he dwelt, and at the same time provided a church or centre of unity for all his numerous family and dependents in the regular service of Jehovah. But the enticements of the world were too great, and prevailed to bring misery and sin into his home. This chapter points out the danger to which young persons are exposed, of being deluded and led away,... read more
Chapter 34Now there's a time gap between chapters thirty-three and thirty-four because at the time that they had left the land of Padanaram, Dinah was less than six years old. And now she comes into the story at this point and obviously is older than that. And Dinah the daughter of Leah ( Genesis 34:1 ), Who was, of course, the first wife that Laban had given to him, the older sister and after Dinah-Leah actually, had born several sons to Jacob, she finally bore a daughter. And so she had a lot... read more
Genesis 34:1. Dinah. One of the oldest of Jacob’s daughters, for he had many: Genesis 37:35. Josephus intimates that it was a festival day, and it is probable that she had been invited by ladies with whom her family was acquainted. She was then about fifteen years of age, but it does not appear that Jacob knew of this visit to the feast. Genesis 34:12. Dowry, to the father, and gift to the lady. When Cyrus concluded the match with Gobrias, that Hystaspes should marry his daughter, he... read more
Genesis 34:1-5Dinah the daughter of Leah . . . went out to seeDinah’s inglorious marchI.SHE CAME. II. SHE SAW. III. SHE WAS CONQUERED. (J. Henry Burn, B. D.)Dinah’s dishonourI. THAT THERE IS GREAT DANGER IN A VAIN CURIOSITY OF SEEING THE WORLD. Dinah was curious to know the ways and customs of the surrounding people. This led to a careless intimacy, which ended in accomplishing her ruin. She ought not to have wandered beyond parental control and supervision, nor disregarded the duty of... read more
Gen 34:1 And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. Ver. 1. Went out to see the daughters of the land. ] Who went abroad at this time, with timbrels, to play, say the Hebrews; kept a solemn feast, saith Josephus. Hence Dinah’s desire to see them. But what saith St Bernard? Si tu otiose spectas, otiose non spectaris: tu curiose spectas, sed curiosius spectaris. Dinah’s wanton gadding, and gazing on others, gave occasion to the... read more
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Genesis 34:1
From her father's house into the city, out of curiosity, there being then, as Josephus reports, a great concourse of people to a feast. Thus she put herself out of her father's protection, and merely out of a vain humour exposed both herself and others to temptation; which was the worse, because it was amongst them that had no fear of God to restrain them from the most enormous crimes. She was now fourteen or fifteen years old. read more