“And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us.”
This verse is a part of the narrative of Dinah’s encounter with Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, found in Genesis 34. To understand the significance of this verse, it is essential to examine the context and background of the story.
In Genesis 34, Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, went out to visit the women of the land. Shechem, the prince of the land, saw her, took her, and lay with her by force. Afterward, Shechem desired to marry Dinah and requested his father, Hamor, to arrange the marriage.
When Jacob heard about the defilement of his daughter, he held his peace until his sons came in from the field. Jacob’s sons were deeply grieved and angry about what had happened to their sister. They devised a plan to seek revenge against Shechem and his people.
Genesis 34:14:Jacob’s sons respond to Shechem and his father’s proposal of marriage by saying, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us.” Here, the focus is on the issue of circumcision, which was a significant covenantal sign within the Abrahamic tradition.
Circumcision held great importance among the Israelites as a symbol of their covenant relationship with God. It was originally established by God with Abraham in Genesis 17:10-14 as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham’s descendants. This covenant included the promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations, and that God would give him the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession.
Therefore, Jacob’s sons refused Shechem’s request for Dinah’s hand in marriage because Shechem and his people were not circumcised. This refusal was rooted in the sense of their own identity as the chosen people of God and the need to maintain the sanctity of the covenant. Allowing Dinah to marry an uncircumcised man would be seen as a violation of their cultural and religious practices.
It is important to note that the response of Jacob’s sons can also be seen as an act of deceit and manipulation. They agreed to the marriage proposal but with a condition: that all the males in the city be circumcised. They intended to use this as an opportunity to take revenge for the defilement of their sister. In the subsequent verses, they carried out their plan, and when the men of the city were weakened due to circumcision, Simeon and Levi, two of Jacob’s sons, attacked and killed all the males, including Shechem and his father.
This incident in Genesis 34 raises various ethical questions and serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of deceit, revenge, and taking matters into one’s own hands. While circumcision itself holds theological significance within the biblical narrative, the actions of Jacob’s sons in this story are viewed negatively and highlight the importance of handling conflicts and injustices with wisdom, integrity, and seeking God’s guidance.
In summary:Genesis 34:14 highlights the refusal of Jacob’s sons to give their sister Dinah in marriage to Shechem, an uncircumcised man. Their decision was rooted in the significance of circumcision as a covenantal sign and a way of preserving their identity as God’s chosen people. However, their subsequent actions of deceit and revenge resulted in tragic consequences. This passage serves as a reminder to seek peaceful and righteous resolutions in the face of conflict, relying on God’s wisdom and guidance.
