Genesis 34:2-4 ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 34:1-5

Dinah was, for aught that appears, Jacob's only daughter, and we may suppose her therefore the mother's fondling and the darling of the family, and yet she proves neither a joy nor a credit to them; for those children seldom prove either the best or the happiest that are most indulged. She is reckoned now but fifteen or sixteen years of age when she here occasioned so much mischief. Observe, 1. Her vain curiosity, which exposed her. She went out, perhaps unknown to her father, but by the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:2

And when Shechem the son of Hamor ,.... From whom the city had its name, near which Jacob and his family now were: the Hivite, prince of the country ; Hamor was an Hivite, which was one of the nations of the land of Canaan, and this man was the prince or a principal man of that nation, as well as of Shechem. Josephus F3 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 1. c. 21. sect. 1.) calls him a king: when the son of this man saw her ; that is, Dinah, what a beautiful person she was, and was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:3

And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob ,.... His inclination was to her, she was always in his thoughts; it was not a mere lustful desire that was suddenly raised, and soon over, but a constant and continued affection he bore to her, as follows: and he loved the damsel ; sincerely and heartily: and spake kindly unto the damsel ; or "to the heart" F7 על לב "ad cor", Pagninus, Vatablus, Drusius, Schmidt; super cor, Montanus, Munster; "cordi", Junius &... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:4

And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor ,.... And told him the whole affair, at least what a strong affection he had for Dinah: saying, get me this damsel to wife ; by which he meant not only that he would give his consent that he might marry her, but that he would get her parents' consent unto it, and settle the matter with them; by which it appears how early, and that even among Heathen nations, consent of parents on both sides was judged necessary to marriage. It seems by this as if... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:2

Prince of the country - i.e., Hamor was prince; Shechem was the son of the prince or chief. Our version appears to represent Shechem as prince, but his father was the chief of the country. See Genesis 34:6 , Genesis 34:8 , etc. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:3

Spake kindly unto the damsel - Literally, he spake to the heart of the damsel - endeavored to gain her affections, and to reconcile her to her disgrace. It appears sufficiently evident from this and the preceding verse that there had been no consent on the part of Dinah, that the whole was an act of violence, and that she was now detained by force in the house of Shechem. Here she was found when Simeon and Levi sacked the city, Genesis 34:26 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:3

Verse 3 3.And his soul clave unto Dinah. Moses intimates that she was not so forcibly violated, that Shechem having once abused her, treated her with contempt, as is usual with harlots; for he loved her as a wife; and did not even object to be circumcised that he might have her; but the fervor of lust had so prevailed, that he first subjected her to disgrace. And therefore although he embraced Dinah with real and sincere attachment, yet, in this want of self-government, he grievously sinned.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:4

Verse 4 4.And Shechem said to his father Hamor. In this place it is more clearly expressed, that Shechem desired to have Dinah for his wife; for his lust was not so unbridled, that when he had defiled, he despised her. Besides, a laudable modesty is shown, since he pays deference to the will of his father; for he does not attempt to form a contract of marriage of his own mind, but leaves this to his father’s authority. For though he had basely fallen through the precipitate ardor of lust; yet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:1-31

The tragedy at Shechem. I. DINAH AND SHECHEM . 1. A young girl ' s indiscretion . "Dinah went out to see the daughters of the land." If Dinah's object was to witness the manners of the people, she was guilty of objectionable curiosity; if to exhibit herself, of distressing vanity; if to mingle in their entertainments, of improper levity; and for all these reasons, considering the character of the family to which she belonged, and the wickedness of the people with whom... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:1-31

Good out of evil. The whole of this miserable story has its place in the development of the kingdom of God. No alliance can be true and safe which is not upon the foundation of the Divine covenants. Circumcision without faith is a mere carnal ordinance, working evil. The sin of Shechem was avenged, but it was avenged by the commission of a greater sin by Simeon and Levi. It was not thus that the kingdom of God was to be spread. "Ye have troubled me," Jacob said. And so have all worldly... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 34:1-5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 34:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 34:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:1-31

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 34:1-31

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