Genesis 34:16
Genesis 34:16 in Multiple Translations
Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We will dwell among you and become one people.
Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
Then we will give our daughters to you and take your daughters to us and go on living with you as one people.
Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters, and we will live among you and become one family.
Then will we giue our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to vs, and will dwell with you, and be one people.
then we have given our daughters to you, and your daughters we take to ourselves, and we have dwelt with you, and have become one people;
then will we give our daughters to you; and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
Then will we give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
Then will we mutually give and take your daughters, and ours: and we will dwell with you, and will be one people:
Then we will give our daughters to your young men to be your wives, and we will take your daughters to be the wives of our young men. We will live among you, and we will become one people-group.
If you agree to do that, then we will let our sister marry Shekem. We will let our women marry your men, and our men will marry your women. We will live with you, and our mob will join together with your mob, and we will become one tribe.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 34:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 34:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/נָתַ֤נּוּ
אֶת
בְּנֹתֵ֨י/נוּ֙
לָ/כֶ֔ם
וְ/אֶת
בְּנֹתֵי/כֶ֖ם
נִֽקַּֽח
לָ֑/נוּ
וְ/יָשַׁ֣בְנוּ
אִתְּ/כֶ֔ם
וְ/הָיִ֖ינוּ
לְ/עַ֥ם
אֶחָֽד
וְ/נָתַ֤נּוּ
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
בְּנֹתֵ֨י/נוּ֙
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
N-fp | Suff
לָ/כֶ֔ם
Prep | Suff
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
בְּנֹתֵי/כֶ֖ם
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
N-fp | Suff
נִֽקַּֽח
lâqach
H3947
to take
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
לָ֑/נוּ
Prep | Suff
וְ/יָשַׁ֣בְנוּ
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
אִתְּ/כֶ֔ם
ʼêth
H854
with
Prep | Suff
וְ/הָיִ֖ינוּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
לְ/עַ֥ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Prep | N-ms
אֶחָֽד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 34:16
וְ/נָתַ֤נּוּ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בְּנֹתֵ֨י/נוּ֙
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
לָ/כֶ֔ם
""
Prep | Suff
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בְּנֹתֵי/כֶ֖ם
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
נִֽקַּֽח
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
לָ֑/נוּ
""
Prep | Suff
וְ/יָשַׁ֣בְנוּ
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
אִתְּ/כֶ֔ם
ʼêth
H854
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.
וְ/הָיִ֖ינוּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לְ/עַ֥ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Prep | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
אֶחָֽד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
Study Notes — Genesis 34:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Revenge of Dinah’s Brothers
14“We cannot do such a thing,” they said. “To give our sister to an uncircumcised man would be a disgrace to us.
15We will consent to this on one condition, that you become circumcised like us—every one of your males.
16Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We will dwell among you and become one people.
17But if you will not agree to be circumcised, then we will take our sister and go.” 18Their offer seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem.Genesis 34:16 Summary
In Genesis 34:16, the men of Shechem are proposing a union with Jacob's family, but only if they agree to become circumcised like them. This proposal is not just about a physical act, but about becoming one people and uniting their families. However, as seen in other parts of the Bible, such as Genesis 17:1-14, circumcision is a sign of God's covenant with His people, and it is not just a physical act, but a spiritual one. We can learn from this verse that unity and compromise are important, but they should never come at the cost of our commitment to God's principles and values, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main condition that the men of Shechem are asking of Jacob's family in Genesis 34:16?
The men of Shechem are asking that Jacob's family become circumcised like them, as stated in Genesis 34:15, in order to become one people and intermarry.
Is the proposal made by the men of Shechem a genuine attempt at unity or is it driven by other motives?
The proposal seems to be driven by a desire to possess the daughters of Jacob's family, as seen in Genesis 34:16, and may not be a genuine attempt at unity, considering the events that led to this proposal in Genesis 34:1-14.
How does this verse relate to the concept of covenant and unity in the Bible?
This verse touches on the idea of covenant and unity, as seen in other parts of the Bible such as Genesis 17:1-14, where circumcision is a sign of God's covenant with Abraham, and Ephesians 2:14-16, where Jesus Christ is the one who brings unity to all people.
What can we learn from the response of Hamor and his son Shechem to the proposal in Genesis 34:18?
The fact that the proposal seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem in Genesis 34:18 suggests that they were willing to compromise their values and beliefs in order to achieve their goals, which can serve as a warning to believers to be cautious when dealing with the world and its values, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can strive for unity with others, while still maintaining my commitment to God's principles?
- How can I discern whether a proposal or opportunity is genuinely in line with God's will, or if it is driven by selfish motives?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of becoming 'one people' with others, as stated in Genesis 34:16, in my relationships with fellow believers and with those who do not know Christ?
- What are some potential consequences of compromising my values and beliefs in order to achieve a certain goal, and how can I avoid making such compromises in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 34:16
Then will we give our daughters unto you,.... Meaning Dinah, whom they call their daughter, Genesis 34:17; because she was the daughter of their family, and because they were entreating in the name
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 34:16
And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us: No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 34:16
Genesis 34:16 Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.Ver. 16. Then will we give our daughters.] Whether Jacob were present at this whole conference, it is not certain. It is probable that he was not. For surely, he would either have dissuaded them from thus doing; or, if he had consented, he would have said something more to the Shechemites, for their better assurance. It is a maxim in Maehiavel; Fidem tamdiu servandam esse, quamdiu expediat. But Jacob had not known this depth of the devil: his sons better could skill of it. They seem to be somewhat akin to those Thracians, of whom it was anciently said, Eos foedera nescire; that they knew no covenants: or the Turks at this day, whose covenants, grounded upon the law of nations, be they with never so strong capitulations concluded, or solemnity of oath confirmed, have, with them, no longer force, than standeth with their own profit; serving, indeed, but as snares to entangle other princes in. There is no faith, say they, to be kept with dogs; that is, with Christians. And this, perhaps, they have learned of those pseudo-Christians, the Papists, who dealt so perfidiously with them at the great battle of Varna; where Amurath, the great Turk, seeing the great slaughter of his men, in spite of the oath given him by king Ladislaus, dispensed with by the Pope’ s legate, and beholding the picture of the crucifix in the displayed ensigns of the voluntary Christians, he plucked the writing out of his bosom, wherein the late league was comprised, and holding it up in his hand, with his eyes cast up to heaven, said, Behold, thou crucified Christ, this is the league thy Christians, in thy Name, made with me, which they have, without cause, violated: Now, if thou be a God, as they say thou art, and as we dream, revenge the wrong now done to thy Name, and me; and show thy power upon thy perjurious people, who, in their deeds, deny thee their God. And it happened out accordingly: for God hates foul and faithless dealing.
Periurii poena divina exitium; humana, dedecus. This was one of the laws of the twelve tables in Rome. Turk. Hist. Ibid., 755. Ibid., 297. Heu miser, etsi quis primo periuria celat, Sera tamen tacitus poena venit pedibus - Tibull.