“And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,”
Genesis 34 recounts the narrative of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, who is mentioned in this verse. To understand the significance of Genesis 34:20, it is helpful to explore the context surrounding this passage.
In Genesis 34, Dinah goes out to visit the daughters of the land, and Shechem, a prince of the city, sees her, seizes her, and lies with her. Following this act, Shechem becomes infatuated with Dinah and desires to marry her. Shechem speaks to his father, Hamor, about his intentions, and they both approach the gate of their city to address the matter with the city’s men, as mentioned in Genesis 34:20.
The gate of the city was a significant place where legal and administrative matters were discussed and decisions were made. It was a location where leaders and influential figures gathered to conduct official business and resolve disputes. In this case, Hamor and Shechem brought the matter of Dinah to the attention of the men of their city to seek their consent and support for Shechem’s desire to marry her.
This verse sets the stage for the subsequent events and negotiations that take place between Jacob’s family and the people of Shechem. After hearing about Dinah’s violation, Jacob’s sons were greatly angered and deceitfully devised a plan to avenge their sister’s honour. Ultimately, they demanded that all the men of Shechem be circumcised before they would agree to intermarriage or engage in any form of alliance.
Genesis 34 as a whole raises important themes such as honour, justice, and the consequences of sin. It also portrays the repercussions of deceit and highlights the importance of seeking God’s guidance and following His commandments in all aspects of life.
By studying this verse and the broader story of Genesis 34, readers can explore various moral lessons and principles, such as the importance of personal integrity, the consequences of unchecked desire, the significance of seeking justice in response to wrongdoing, and the potential dangers of deceptive actions.
