But if ye will not hearken vnto vs, to be circumcised, then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone. Genesis 34:17 (KJV)
This verse is part of the narrative in Genesis 34, which tells the story of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah. Dinah goes out to visit the women of the land, and Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, sees her, takes her, and violates her. The violation sets off a series of negotiations and plans recorded in the surrounding verses.
In verses 17‑18 the brothers of Dinah—among them Simeon and Levi—address Shechem and his father Hamor. They propose that the men of Shechem’s city undergo circumcision as a condition for accepting Dinah’s marriage to Shechem and for integrating with the local community. The proposal is presented as a conditional offer: if the men agree to be circumcised, the brothers will allow the marriage; if the condition is not met, they declare that they will take their sister, the daughter of their father, and depart.
The passage raises several important points. First, it underscores the covenant significance of circumcision for Abraham’s descendants. By insisting on circumcision, the brothers seek to preserve their religious and cultural identity and to ensure that any alliance respects the covenant with God.
Second, the brothers’ plan contains an element of strategic deception. They are aware that the healing process after circumcision would cause pain and temporary weakness, and they intend to exploit that vulnerability to exact revenge for their sister’s violation. This raises ethical questions about their motives and methods.
Third, the response of Simeon, Levi, and the other brothers highlights the ancient Near Eastern emphasis on honor and shame. Dinah’s violation brought disgrace upon the family, and the brothers aim to restore honor through the proposed negotiation and, ultimately, through violent retaliation.
Finally, Jacob later condemns the brothers’ violent and deceitful actions in Genesis 49:5‑7, pronouncing a curse on their descendants. The episode therefore offers a glimpse into the cultural and moral dynamics of the time, illustrating the importance of honor, the significance of circumcision, and the consequences of resorting to deceit and violence to resolve conflict.
