Genesis 34:11-12 - Exposition

And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren (speaking with becoming deference and earnestness, and manifestly prompted by fervent and sincere love), Let me find grace in your eyes ,— i.e. let my suit be accepted ( vide Genesis 33:15 )— and what ye shall say unto me I will give. Ask me never so much dowry and gift ,—literally, multiply upon me exceedingly dowry and gift; the dowry ( mohar ) being the price paid for a wife to her parents (cf. Exodus 22:16 ; 1 Samuel 18:25 ), and the gift ( mathan ) the presents given to the bride (Gesenius, Furst, Rosenmüller, Gerlach, Alford); or the dowry being the bride's present, and the gift the wife's price (Michaelis, Keil, Murphy); or the dowry being given to the parents, and the gift to the kindred (Patrick); or the two being the same thing, vie; the compensation offered to the relatives of the bride (Lange)— and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give (or, and ye will give) me the damsel to wife.