“And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob’s daughter; which thing ought not to be done.”
Genesis 34 recounts the story of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, and an incident that took place in the city of Shechem. In this verse, we see the reaction of Dinah’s brothers, the sons of Jacob, to what had transpired.
To provide some context, Dinah had gone out to visit the daughters of the land, and Shechem, the son of Hamor, saw her, took her, and lay with her (Genesis 34:1-2). This act deeply grieved and angered Dinah’s brothers when they heard about it. The phrase “the men were grieved, and they were very wroth” reflects their intense emotional reaction to what had happened.
The verse also highlights that this act of Shechem lying with Jacob’s daughter was considered folly and was not something that should have been done. This indicates that the brothers recognized the gravity of the situation and were deeply offended by the defilement of their sister and the dishonor brought upon their family.
The subsequent verses in Genesis 34 describe the aftermath of this incident, including Shechem’s desire to marry Dinah, the negotiations between Jacob’s sons and Shechem’s father, and the eventual revenge taken by Simeon and Levi against the men of Shechem.
This passage serves as a reminder:of the importance of maintaining purity, honoring familial relationships, and upholding moral standards. The brothers’ reaction to the incident underscores the significance they placed on preserving their family’s integrity and the value they attributed to their sister’s honor.
It’s important to approach biblical passages like this one with cultural and historical context in mind. While the Bible records the events and reactions of the characters, it does not necessarily endorse or condone their actions. As readers, we can learn from the experiences of these biblical figures and seek to apply the timeless principles of righteousness and honor in our own lives.
