†. Gen 34:1 . . Now Dinah, the daughter whom Leah had borne to
Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land.
It's difficult to ascertain Dinah's age at this time, but she, being the only girl
in a family of eleven boys (Benjamin wasn't born yet), surely must have
longed to hang out with a posse of her own. If Jacob had gone to live near
his father Isaac, there would have been plenty of girls among the servants'
families for Dinah. But here in Shechem, the only other girls in the
neighborhood were those of the pagan families of Canaan; putting Jacob's
children at risk of the influence of the wrong crowd; which was the very
same mistake that Lot made when he moved to Sodom.
†. 1Cor 15:33 . . Do not be deceived: bad company corrupts good morals.
Paul's letter to the Corinthians wasn't written to bad people to encourage
them to live like Christians. No, it was written to Christians to encourage
them to avoid hanging out with impious people. Peer pressure is a very
strong social impetus; and solid Bible-believing folk are vulnerable to it. And
even though Dinah was brought up in a God-fearing home, she is going to
fall prey to the morals of the local culture.
†. Gen 34:2 . . Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, chief of the
country, saw her, and took her and lay with her by force.
The words "by force" aren't in the Hebrew text. By inserting those words,
translators make Dinah appear to be the victim of a rape rather than a
willing partner in a hot relationship. Most Bible students are well aware of
the oftentimes low moral character of the people of God, so if Dinah was
truly accommodating in this episode, it shouldn't surprise anyone. After all,
young girls are very susceptible to hero worship, and Shechem was a prince;
the son of a sheik. What young girl doesn't dream of being swept off her feet
by a prince? It's pretty common; and it's all part of being a real girl; for
example:
I was amazed at an AeroSmith concert by the numbers of shapely, drop
dead gorgeous young girls crowded up against the stage trying to get
Steven Tyler to notice them. If you've seen Mr. Tyler, I think you would
agree with me he will never qualify as a hunk. But Tyler is a famous
entertainer; and entertainers have a powerful sensual charisma regardless of
their looks.
I witnessed an even more impressive display at a Rolling Stones concert
(now there's a study in ugly). Women of all ages, sizes, and waistlines,
slingshot their bras and panties up on the stage for the men to keep as love
tokens. There were so many female undergarments cluttering the stage that
the situation became a safety hazard. Keith Richards and the others had to
kick them away to avoid tripping and falling.
†. Gen 34:3 . . Being strongly drawn to Dinah daughter of Jacob, and
in love with the maiden, he spoke to the maiden tenderly.
Shechem's feelings for Dinah weren't the typical violent lusts that rapists
expend upon their victims. That boy was truly overwhelmed by Dinah; just
like Jack was overwhelmed by Rose in the movie Titanic. I wonder if anyone
reading this can remember the last time you felt that way about somebody--
how you had difficulty catching your breath, and how utterly vulnerable you
felt in their presence. No, I just can't believe Shechem raped Dinah. He
really did like her as a person. She wasn't just a girl toy for Shechem to
exploit; no, Dinah was "the one" and to him, she lit up the room the moment
she walked in-- everything around her was a silver pool of light.
†. Gen 34:4 . . So Shechem said to his father Hamor: Get me this girl
as a wife.
In modern American culture, Shechem would be regarded as a wimp for not
being man enough to speak with Dinah's parents himself instead of seeking
his dad's assistance. But in that day, a man's parents or relatives did all the
negotiating in nuptial matters; and when it reached that stage, the romance
was pretty serious business.
†. Gen 34:5a . . Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah;
From whom Jacob heard the news is not stated. Dinah had been taken into
Shechem's home (Gen 34:2) and remained there until this episode was over
(Gen 34:26). So news came probably by some of Dinah's girlfriends from
town whose friendships she sought in Gen 34:1. By now, Dinah must be
feeling very alone, and afraid to come home and face the music.
When guys lose their virginity, it's different. They feel more like a man, they
feel better about themselves, and they feel highly regarded in the eyes of
their male friends. But girls oftentimes feel like used goods: soiled, fallen,
and cheapened; not to mention the fear of pregnancy and family disgrace.
Not all girls feel the same about pre-marital trysts. Some relish the
excitement. But others are scarred for life, and never really get over it.
The Bible is silent about Dinah's feelings about all this, and after chapter 34,
she's mentioned only one more time at Gen 46:15 and that's it.
†. Gen 34:5b . . but since his sons were in the field with his cattle,
Jacob kept silent until they came home.
If Jacob had allowed his passions to overrule his better judgment, he might
have stormed out and confronted Shechem's family all by himself, and they
just may have been annoyed enough to murder him on the spot. No, best to
wait for back-up on this one. And besides, brothers were often key decision
makers in a sister's betrothal (e.g. Gen 24:29-61). So Jacob needed his
boys; if not for personal defense, then at least to take part in the decision
concerning whom Dinah would wed.
†. Gen 34:6-7a . .Then Shechem's father Hamor came out to Jacob to
speak to him. Meanwhile Jacob's sons, having heard the news, came
in from the field.
Jacob probably sent a runner out to get the boys and have them come home
as soon as possible. By luck, they arrived the same time as Shechem and his
dad. So the key players are present, the stage is set, and they can all get
down to business.
†. Gen 34:7b . .The men were distressed and very angry, because he
had committed an outrage in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter--
a thing not to be done.
This is the first instance of Jewish tribalism in the Bible. Ironically; the boys
were far more upset for what Shechem did to Israel then what he did to
their sister. However; that's a very common reaction from male siblings.
Brothers typically take it personal when a guy abuses their sister or says
something derogatory about her; even when the brothers themselves don't
even like her.
The phrase "a thing not to be done" didn't apply to Shechem and Hamor.
Promiscuity wasn't considered immoral in their culture. Extra-marital activity
was a normal social interaction in many parts of Canaan, and nobody gave it
a second thought. In fact, neither Shechem nor his dad felt any inclination
whatsoever to apologize for what happened and probably would have
become indignant if asked to; but Israel's moral standards were God-
influenced, and ran counter to common mores. (cf. 1Pet 4:3-4)
Cont.
/
Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land.
It's difficult to ascertain Dinah's age at this time, but she, being the only girl
in a family of eleven boys (Benjamin wasn't born yet), surely must have
longed to hang out with a posse of her own. If Jacob had gone to live near
his father Isaac, there would have been plenty of girls among the servants'
families for Dinah. But here in Shechem, the only other girls in the
neighborhood were those of the pagan families of Canaan; putting Jacob's
children at risk of the influence of the wrong crowd; which was the very
same mistake that Lot made when he moved to Sodom.
†. 1Cor 15:33 . . Do not be deceived: bad company corrupts good morals.
Paul's letter to the Corinthians wasn't written to bad people to encourage
them to live like Christians. No, it was written to Christians to encourage
them to avoid hanging out with impious people. Peer pressure is a very
strong social impetus; and solid Bible-believing folk are vulnerable to it. And
even though Dinah was brought up in a God-fearing home, she is going to
fall prey to the morals of the local culture.
†. Gen 34:2 . . Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, chief of the
country, saw her, and took her and lay with her by force.
The words "by force" aren't in the Hebrew text. By inserting those words,
translators make Dinah appear to be the victim of a rape rather than a
willing partner in a hot relationship. Most Bible students are well aware of
the oftentimes low moral character of the people of God, so if Dinah was
truly accommodating in this episode, it shouldn't surprise anyone. After all,
young girls are very susceptible to hero worship, and Shechem was a prince;
the son of a sheik. What young girl doesn't dream of being swept off her feet
by a prince? It's pretty common; and it's all part of being a real girl; for
example:
I was amazed at an AeroSmith concert by the numbers of shapely, drop
dead gorgeous young girls crowded up against the stage trying to get
Steven Tyler to notice them. If you've seen Mr. Tyler, I think you would
agree with me he will never qualify as a hunk. But Tyler is a famous
entertainer; and entertainers have a powerful sensual charisma regardless of
their looks.
I witnessed an even more impressive display at a Rolling Stones concert
(now there's a study in ugly). Women of all ages, sizes, and waistlines,
slingshot their bras and panties up on the stage for the men to keep as love
tokens. There were so many female undergarments cluttering the stage that
the situation became a safety hazard. Keith Richards and the others had to
kick them away to avoid tripping and falling.
†. Gen 34:3 . . Being strongly drawn to Dinah daughter of Jacob, and
in love with the maiden, he spoke to the maiden tenderly.
Shechem's feelings for Dinah weren't the typical violent lusts that rapists
expend upon their victims. That boy was truly overwhelmed by Dinah; just
like Jack was overwhelmed by Rose in the movie Titanic. I wonder if anyone
reading this can remember the last time you felt that way about somebody--
how you had difficulty catching your breath, and how utterly vulnerable you
felt in their presence. No, I just can't believe Shechem raped Dinah. He
really did like her as a person. She wasn't just a girl toy for Shechem to
exploit; no, Dinah was "the one" and to him, she lit up the room the moment
she walked in-- everything around her was a silver pool of light.
†. Gen 34:4 . . So Shechem said to his father Hamor: Get me this girl
as a wife.
In modern American culture, Shechem would be regarded as a wimp for not
being man enough to speak with Dinah's parents himself instead of seeking
his dad's assistance. But in that day, a man's parents or relatives did all the
negotiating in nuptial matters; and when it reached that stage, the romance
was pretty serious business.
†. Gen 34:5a . . Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah;
From whom Jacob heard the news is not stated. Dinah had been taken into
Shechem's home (Gen 34:2) and remained there until this episode was over
(Gen 34:26). So news came probably by some of Dinah's girlfriends from
town whose friendships she sought in Gen 34:1. By now, Dinah must be
feeling very alone, and afraid to come home and face the music.
When guys lose their virginity, it's different. They feel more like a man, they
feel better about themselves, and they feel highly regarded in the eyes of
their male friends. But girls oftentimes feel like used goods: soiled, fallen,
and cheapened; not to mention the fear of pregnancy and family disgrace.
Not all girls feel the same about pre-marital trysts. Some relish the
excitement. But others are scarred for life, and never really get over it.
The Bible is silent about Dinah's feelings about all this, and after chapter 34,
she's mentioned only one more time at Gen 46:15 and that's it.
†. Gen 34:5b . . but since his sons were in the field with his cattle,
Jacob kept silent until they came home.
If Jacob had allowed his passions to overrule his better judgment, he might
have stormed out and confronted Shechem's family all by himself, and they
just may have been annoyed enough to murder him on the spot. No, best to
wait for back-up on this one. And besides, brothers were often key decision
makers in a sister's betrothal (e.g. Gen 24:29-61). So Jacob needed his
boys; if not for personal defense, then at least to take part in the decision
concerning whom Dinah would wed.
†. Gen 34:6-7a . .Then Shechem's father Hamor came out to Jacob to
speak to him. Meanwhile Jacob's sons, having heard the news, came
in from the field.
Jacob probably sent a runner out to get the boys and have them come home
as soon as possible. By luck, they arrived the same time as Shechem and his
dad. So the key players are present, the stage is set, and they can all get
down to business.
†. Gen 34:7b . .The men were distressed and very angry, because he
had committed an outrage in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter--
a thing not to be done.
This is the first instance of Jewish tribalism in the Bible. Ironically; the boys
were far more upset for what Shechem did to Israel then what he did to
their sister. However; that's a very common reaction from male siblings.
Brothers typically take it personal when a guy abuses their sister or says
something derogatory about her; even when the brothers themselves don't
even like her.
The phrase "a thing not to be done" didn't apply to Shechem and Hamor.
Promiscuity wasn't considered immoral in their culture. Extra-marital activity
was a normal social interaction in many parts of Canaan, and nobody gave it
a second thought. In fact, neither Shechem nor his dad felt any inclination
whatsoever to apologize for what happened and probably would have
become indignant if asked to; but Israel's moral standards were God-
influenced, and ran counter to common mores. (cf. 1Pet 4:3-4)
Cont.
/
