And his soule claue vnto Dinah the daughter of Iacob, and hee loued the damsell, and spake kindly vnto the damsell. Genesis 34:3 (KJV)
Genesis 34:3 recounts an incident involving Dinah, the daughter of Jacob (also known as Israel), and Shechem, the son of Hamor, the prince of the land. The verse portrays Shechem’s emotional attachment to Dinah, his love for her, and his kind words toward her. To understand the context, it is essential to examine the preceding verses. Genesis 34 narrates the events that took place when Jacob’s family settled near the city of Shechem. Shechem noticed Dinah and seized the opportunity to defile her (Genesis 34:1‑2), an act regarded as a grievous offense by Jacob’s sons, who were greatly distressed by Dinah’s violation.
In verse 3 the phrase “his soul clave unto Dinah” (or “cleaveth” in some renderings) indicates Shechem’s strong emotional attachment, a deep longing or desire for her companionship, and an intense affection that led him to say he loved the damsel. Additionally, the verse states that Shechem “spake kindly unto the damsel.” Despite the wrongdoing, his kind speech suggests a level of respect, possible remorse, and an attempt to make amends, showing that he treated Dinah with kindness.
The narrative does not end with this verse; the story of Dinah’s encounter with Shechem unfolds further in Genesis 34, and the subsequent events highlight the consequences of Shechem’s actions and the fierce reaction of Dinah’s brothers. This verse serves as a starting point for studying the broader narrative, inviting exploration of themes such as love, repentance, the consequences of one’s actions, and the biblical treatment of morality, justice, and the importance of honoring God’s commands.
Readers are encouraged to read the entire chapter of Genesis 34 to gain a comprehensive understanding of the story and its implications.
