Genesis 34:2 Commentary and Bible Study

The family of Jacob was camped reasonably well outside the city. It probably wasn’t that big but more like what we would call a large village today. The king of that city-state was more like an old-fashioned English country squire. The squire lived in his manor house and everything that happened in the village revolved around that manor house. He probably owned all farmland in the area, and just about everybody work for him. All trade was conducted through the manor house. Certainly they would outnumber Jacob’s group – he says so – by a long way. Jacob had very many servants and flocks, cattle, sheep, and all kinds of possessions, but they were camped outside. Dinah underestimated the sinfulness of sin. She felt these were totally reasonable people, so she mixed freely with them as if there were no dangers. Here is Shechem, the ruler’s son. He ravished her, but also wanted her as his wife. Poor Dinah. He has genuine and real affection for her. It is not clear which is worse – to be ravished, or to be captive to a Canaanite for life. This is not a good situation. It is one thing for young people to be fascinated for a time by the world, but worse when the world gets hold of them and captures them.Hamor’s son Shechem soon saw her, and according to his culture it was nothing for him to take her, lie with her, and defile her. He does not appear to have raped her but more to have seduced her. At same time he fell in love with her and after their coming together he spoke kindly to her and probably promised to marry her; Shechem does not want trouble with their Israelite neighbours.