Genesis 34:18
Genesis 34:18 in Multiple Translations
Their offer seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem.
And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor’s son.
And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor’s son.
And their words were pleasing to Hamor and his son Shechem.
Hamor and his son Shechem agreed to what was proposed.
Nowe their wordes pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamors sonne.
And their words are good in the eyes of Hamor, and in the eyes of Shechem, Hamor's son;
Their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son.
And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.
Their offer pleased Hemor, and Sichem his son:
What they said pleased Hamor and his son Shechem.
Hamor and his son Shekem, they liked that idea, and they agreed to do what Jacob’s sons said.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 34:18
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 34:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּֽיטְב֥וּ
דִבְרֵי/הֶ֖ם
בְּ/עֵינֵ֣י
חֲמ֑וֹר
וּ/בְ/עֵינֵ֖י
שְׁכֶ֥ם
בֶּן
חֲמֽוֹר
וַ/יִּֽיטְב֥וּ
yâṭab
H3190
be good
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
דִבְרֵי/הֶ֖ם
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-mp | Suff
בְּ/עֵינֵ֣י
ʻayin
H5869
eye
Prep | N-cd
חֲמ֑וֹר
Chămôwr
H2544
Hamor
N-proper
וּ/בְ/עֵינֵ֖י
ʻayin
H5869
eye
Conj | Prep | N-cd
שְׁכֶ֥ם
Shᵉkem
H7927
Shechem
N-proper
בֶּן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
חֲמֽוֹר
Chămôwr
H2544
Hamor
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 34:18
וַ/יִּֽיטְב֥וּ
yâṭab
H3190
"be good"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To be good means to be pleasing or joyful, making something or someone sound, beautiful, or happy. It is used in various forms, including being glad, doing well, or being content. It appears in many books, including Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be glad, be joyful 1a2) to be well placed 1a3) to be well for, be well with, go well with 1a4) to be pleasing, be pleasing to 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to make glad, rejoice 1b2) to do good to, deal well with 1b3) to do well, do thoroughly 1b4) to make a thing good or right or beautiful 1b5) to do well, do right
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make) better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, [phrase] be content, diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad, do (be, make) good(-ness), be (make) merry, please ([phrase] well), shew more (kindness), skilfully, [idiom] very small, surely, make sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat, go, have) well (said, seen). See also: Genesis 4:7; 2 Samuel 3:36; Psalms 33:3.
דִבְרֵי/הֶ֖ם
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-mp | Suff
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
בְּ/עֵינֵ֣י
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
Prep | N-cd
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
חֲמ֑וֹר
Chămôwr
H2544
"Hamor"
N-proper
Hamor was a Canaanite prince of Shechem, mentioned in Genesis 33:19, and the father of Shechem. His name means he-ass. He interacted with Jacob when he entered Palestine. Hamor is also referred to as Emmor.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.33.19; father of: Shechem (H7927H) Also named: Emmor (Ἐμμόρ "Hamor" G1697) § Hamor = "he-ass" the Hivite prince of the city of Shechem when Jacob entered Palestine
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: Hamor. See also: Genesis 33:19; Genesis 34:18; Judges 9:28.
וּ/בְ/עֵינֵ֖י
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
Conj | Prep | N-cd
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
שְׁכֶ֥ם
Shᵉkem
H7927
"Shechem"
N-proper
Shechem refers to a city in Palestine and a man who lived during the time of the Patriarchs, mentioned in Genesis 33:19. He was the son of Hamor, a Hivite chieftain. The city was located between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.33.19; son of: Hamor (H2544) § Shechem = "back" or "shoulder" 1) son of Hamor, the chieftain of the Hivites at Shechem at the time of Jacob's arrival 2) a city in Manasseh; located in a valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, 34 miles (54 km) north of Jerusalem and 7 miles (10.5 km) south- east of Samaria
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: Shechem. See also: Genesis 12:6; Judges 9:6; Psalms 60:8.
בֶּן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
חֲמֽוֹר
Chămôwr
H2544
"Hamor"
N-proper
Hamor was a Canaanite prince of Shechem, mentioned in Genesis 33:19, and the father of Shechem. His name means he-ass. He interacted with Jacob when he entered Palestine. Hamor is also referred to as Emmor.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.33.19; father of: Shechem (H7927H) Also named: Emmor (Ἐμμόρ "Hamor" G1697) § Hamor = "he-ass" the Hivite prince of the city of Shechem when Jacob entered Palestine
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: Hamor. See also: Genesis 33:19; Genesis 34:18; Judges 9:28.
Study Notes — Genesis 34:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Revenge of Dinah’s Brothers
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.
19The young man, who was the most respected of all his father’s household, did not hesitate to fulfill this request, because he was delighted with Jacob’s daughter. 20So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate of their city and addressed the men of their city:Genesis 34:18 Summary
[Genesis 34:18 tells us that Hamor and his son Shechem thought the offer from Jacob's sons was a good one. This means they were willing to do what it took to marry Dinah and form an alliance with Jacob's family, as seen in Genesis 34:16. However, this decision would ultimately lead to trouble, as we see in the rest of the chapter (Genesis 34:25-31). This reminds us to seek God's wisdom and guidance in our decisions, just as we're encouraged to do in Proverbs 3:5-6.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that their offer seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem?
This means that Hamor and Shechem were willing to accept the conditions set by Jacob's sons in order to marry Dinah and form an alliance with them, as seen in Genesis 34:18. This decision was likely driven by Shechem's desire to marry Dinah, as mentioned in Genesis 34:19.
Why did Hamor and Shechem agree to the condition of circumcision?
Hamor and Shechem agreed to the condition of circumcision because they wanted to form an alliance with Jacob's family and marry Dinah, as stated in Genesis 34:16. This decision would have significant consequences, as seen in the rest of the chapter.
What can we learn from Hamor and Shechem's decision-making process?
We can learn that making decisions based on personal desire or convenience can lead to negative consequences, as seen in Genesis 34:25-31. This highlights the importance of seeking God's wisdom and guidance in our decision-making, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of Genesis?
This verse relates to the theme of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants, as seen in Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 17:1-14. The events in Genesis 34:18 demonstrate the complexities and challenges of maintaining a distinct identity as God's people in a pagan world, as also seen in Genesis 24:1-67.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which we can prioritize God's wisdom and guidance in our decision-making, just as Jacob's sons did in this chapter?
- How can we balance our desire for relationships and alliances with our commitment to following God's commands, as seen in Genesis 34:16-31?
- What are some potential consequences of making decisions based on personal desire or convenience, rather than seeking God's guidance?
- How can we apply the lessons learned from Hamor and Shechem's decision-making process to our own lives and relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 34:18
And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son. The condition proposed was acceptable to them both, and they agreed to comply with it; Hamor, because of the great love he had for his son;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 34:18
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 34:18
Genesis 34:18 And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor’ s son.Ver. 18. And their words.] See the force of love, and hope of profit!
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 34:18
(18) Their words pleased Hamor.—We gather from this that circumcision was a rite not only well known, but regarded as something honourable; for otherwise they would not so readily have submitted to a thing so painful.