Bible Study Online Article
Looking to make Shalem which was a city of Shechem, his new home - Jacob decides to purchase a plot of land for a hundred pieces of sliver. The promise bearer would do this transaction through the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. He would then build an altar unto the one true God and that place, 'El-elohe-Israel' which means - God the God of Israel. Soon later we would find that Jacob and Leah's daughter Dinah, (who was perhaps Jacob's only daughter) decides to go out and explore the city. It's believed that there was perhaps a planned gathering later in the day, for a feast or a dance (or both), where the daughter's of the land were planning to go. Dinah was curious and being the only daughter with eleven brothers, I could only assume she wanted to be around some girls her own age, which she may have felt, had something in common with her. After all at this point in her life she would be between the ages of fourteen and sixteen. So she ventures off and attends this festival and while there she meets a man who went by the name Shechem, who was the son of Hamor the Hivite a prince of the land. Remember that Jacob had brought his land from Shechem's brothers when they first settled in the land. Pay attention to what happens next. "And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and defiled her." (Genesis 34: 2) My Thoughts: Now here I go bucking the trend again, for I don't believe that Shechem had taken her by force like some would teach or preach. Being that some translations uses the word 'violated' instead of the KJV word 'defiled,' I can see how leaders and teachers could lean towards that direction. I think that the prince was able to sweet talk her and take advantage of Dinah's naiveness, for she was very young and gullible. But regardless of my opinion, the scriptures still points out that she was defiled. Which could lead us to assume that perhaps, she was upset and disappointed in herself for the sinful predicament she now finds herself in. The scriptures would also tell us that Shechem heart was drawn towards Dinah; he was in love with her and spoke tenderly to her. Shechem wanted to marry her, so he asked his father Hamor to go and speak with her family on his behalf. "Get me this girl as my wife," Shechem pleaded with his father. Dinah makes it back home and tells her father what happen. After hearing this, Jacob held his peace until his sons had made it back home from the fields, in which they were tending the cattle. Soon after Hamor and his son Shechem went out to talk to Jacob. The promise bearer's sons would make it back home and when they had found out what Shechem had done to Dinah, they were grieved and became very angry. Shechem had dishonored and shamed Israel for lying with its daughter - Dinah. Hamor begins his proposal on behalf of his son Shechem: "My son Shechem has his heart set on your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife. Intermarry with us; give us your daughters and take your daughters for yourselves. You can settle among us; the land is open to you. Live in it, trade in it, and acquire property in it." Now Shechem adds to this: "Let me find favor in your eyes, and I will give you whatever you ask. Make the price for the bride and the gift I am to bring as great as you like, and I'll pay whatever you ask me. Only give me the girl as my wife." At that time it was customary for men to buy their wives, and this practice is on full display here. Hamor and Shechem basically present Jacob and his household an offer of unification between the two families. The price for this partnership and Dinah's hand in marriage is unlimited.
Start at: Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty 56) Rachel the Thief 57) Jacob's Mistake 58) Laban's Pursuit 62) The Reconciliation of Jacob & Esau 63) <-CURRENT PAGE->  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
|
