JACOB SERIES: THE DEFILEMENT OF DINAH

Jacob had told Esau, when they reunited with a loving show of reconciliation, that he would follow him to Mount Seir, but he did not do so. Instead of doing what he said, Jacob took his family to Succoth, where they stayed for many years, and then moved them to Shechem, a city in Canaan, where he purchased land and set up residence. It is here that the story of the defilement of his daughter Dinah unfolds, as recounted in Genesis 34.

I can only imagine that growing up in a household of brothers with no sisters was probably very lonely for Dinah, so she went out seeking female friends in Shechem. Unfortunately, Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, upon seeing her, was attracted to Dinah and sexually assaulted her. Furthermore, the scriptures revealed that Shechem loved Dinah and wanted to marry her, so he asked his father to negotiate the marriage arrangements with Jacob for him.

After hearing what happened to Dinah, Jacob did not do anything until his angry sons, who had heard what happened to Dinah, returned home from the field. Therefore, when Hamor came to speak to Jacob on behalf of his son, Dinah’s brothers were present.

Hamor informed Jacob and his sons of Shechem’s desire to marry Dinah. Additionally, he suggested other marriages between their sons and daughters, and a harmonious coexistence between them. Plus, Shechem told them, “Let me find grace in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give.  Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.”

Jacob’s sons deceitfully told them that Dinah could not marry Shechem unless all of the men in their city were circumcised. Believing them to be honest, Hamor and Shechem convinced the men in their city to be circumcised. However, on the third day, when the Shechemite males were defenseless, disabled from the circumcision and not prepared for warfare, Dinah’s brothers, Simon and Levi, came into the city and slew all of them, including Hamor and Shechem, his son.

After the slaughter of the men of Shechem, Simon and Levi took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and Jacob’s son went into the city and took captive all of the slain men’s livestock, wealth, children, and wives. Horrified over Levi and Simon’s actions, Jacob said to them, “Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.” Boldly not bothered by their actions, the brothers responded, “Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?”

Here is additional information and nuggets:

It is believed that Jacob and his family had resided in Shechem for approximately seven years, and his sons are young men, except for Joseph, who is a teenager, like Dinah, who ventured out in the city during one of their festivals

Could it be that, because of Jacob’s wrong move, his daughter Dinah was defiled, and his sons committed a ruthless, atrocious act? Where you reside can determine the outcome of your life.

The scriptures do not say whether Shechem had seen and become acquainted with Dinah prior to her defilement; however, it appears they had some history because of his desire to marry her.

It was an ancient Arab practice that brothers were responsible for their sisters’ safety.

It is said that on the third day after circumcision, there is fever and extreme pain.

Simon and Levi wanted the act of circumcision not for identification but to incapacitate the men so they were unable to fight when they were attacked.

Shechem, in his request for marriage, displayed more integrity than murderous Simon and Levi.

People are impressed by wealth and, if given the opportunity, will connect with those who display it.

The wrong decision can cost you your life.

There are some events that people can’t overlook.