Genesis 34:24

Verse

All the men who went out of the city gate listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male of the city was circumcised.

American Standard Version (1901)

And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

Bible in Basic English

Then all the men of the town gave ear to the words of Hamor and Shechem his son; and every male in the town underwent circumcision.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And they all agreed, and circumcised all the males.

Free Bible Version

Everyone there at the town gate agreed with Hamor and Shechem so every male in the town was circumcised.

Geneva Bible 1599

And vnto Hamor, and Shechem his sonne hearkened all that went out of the gate of his citie: and all the men children were circumcised, euen all that went out of the gate of his citie.

King James (Authorized) Version

And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

One Unity Resource Bible

All who went out of the gate of his city sh'ma ·heard obeyed· to Hamor, and to Shechem his son; and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

Translation for Translators

Shechem was the most respected person in his father’s household, so all the men who were there at the city gate agreed to what Hamor and Shechem suggested. So every male in the city was circumcised.

Unlocked Literal Bible

All the men of the city listened to Hamor and Shechem, his son. Every male was circumcised.

Noah Webster Bible

And to Hamor and to Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city: and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

World English Bible

All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor, and to Shechem his son; and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

Young's Literal Translation

And unto Hamor, and unto Shechem his son, hearken do all those going out of the gate of his city, and every male is circumcised, all those going out of the gate of his city.

Context

The Revenge of Dinah’s Brothers

²³Will not their livestock, their possessions, and all their animals become ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell among us.”²⁴All the men who went out of the city gate listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male of the city was circumcised.

Sermons

(Through the Bible) Exodus 1-5

Chuck Smith

1.8K

Summary

This verse recounts the aftermath of the revenge taken by Simeon and Levi against the men of Shechem for the defilement of their sister Dinah. Their actions were motivated by a desire to avenge the dishonor brought upon their family. However, their violent response was not in alignment with God's will, as it brought shame and discord instead of justice. This event serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of seeking retribution outside of God's guidance and the importance of handling conflicts with wisdom and righteousness.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Every male was circumcised - These simple people must have had very great affection for their chief and his son, or have been under the influence of the most passive obedience, to have come so readily into this measure, and to have submitted to this rite. But the petty princes in Asiatic countries have ever been absolute and despotic, their subjects paying them the most prompt and blind obedience. I shall give a few examples from Mr. Richardson's Dissertations - "Abu Thaher, chief of the Carmathians, about the year nine hundred and thirty, ravaged the territory of Mecca, defiled the temple, and destroyed nearly 40,000 people. With only 500 horse he went to lay siege to Bagdad: the caliph's general, at the head of 30,000 men, marched out to seize him, but before he attacked him he sent an officer to summon him to surrender. 'How many men has the caliph's general?' said Abu Thaher. 'Thirty thousand,' replied the officer. 'Among them all,' says the Carmathian chief, 'has he got three like mine?' Then, ordering his followers to approach, he commanded one to stab himself, another to throw himself from a precipice, and a third to plunge into the Tigris; all three instantly obeyed, and perished. Then turning to the officer, he said, 'He who has such troops needs not value the number of his enemies!' "Hassan Sabat, one of those petty princes formerly known in Asia and Europe by the title Sheekh-ul-jibel, or old man of the mountain, being required by an ambassador to do homage to his master, the Sultan Malekshah Jelaleddin, without giving any answer, ordered one of his attendants to poniard himself, and another to leap from the battlements of the tower; and he was instantly obeyed! Then turning to the ambassador, he said, 'Seventy thousand are thus attentive to my commands. Let this be my answer. On a principle of this kind we may account for the prompt obedience of the people of Hamor.

John Gill Bible Commentary

And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore,.... Or in "pain" (k), when their pains were strong upon them, as the Targum of Onkelos; or when they were weak through the pain of circumcision, as the Targum of Jonathan; for it seems that the pain of circumcision was more intense on the third day (l), and the part the more inflamed, and the person more feverish, and which is observed by physicians of other wounds; and therefore Hippocrates (m) advised not to meddle with wounds on the third or fourth days, or do anything that might irritate them, for on those days they were apt to rankle or be inflamed, and bring on fevers; and in this case, not only the wound was sore in itself and distressing, but being in such a part of the body, motion must give great uneasiness: nor could persons in such circumstances easily arise and walk, and go forth to defend themselves; and of this Jacob's sons availed themselves: so that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren; by the mother's side as well as the father's, being Leah's children, and so most provoked at this indignity and abuse of their sister: took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly; not fearing the inhabitants of it, and their rising up against them to defend themselves, knowing in what circumstances they were: or "upon the city that dwelt securely"; as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; for the men of the city had no suspicion of any such attempt that would be made upon them, and therefore were quite easy and secure, not expecting nor fearing anything of this kind: and slew all the males; the males that were grown up, for the little ones are after said to be carried captive, Gen 34:29; Josephus (n) takes no notice of this circumstance of their being circumcised, but represents them as surprised in the night of their festival, overcharged with feasting, and their watch asleep, who were first killed. Though only two of Jacob's sons were mentioned, they might be assisted by the rest; at least, no doubt, they were attended with servants, who were aiding: in accomplishing this cruel and bloody attempt. (k) "dolore affecti", Pagninus, Schmidt, "essent in dolore", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius. (l) Pirke Eliezer, c. 29. (m) De fracturis, sect. 33. apud Scheuchzer. Physica Sacra, vol. 1. p. 93. (n) Antiqu. l. 1. c. 21. sect. 1.

Genesis 34:24

The Revenge of Dinah’s Brothers

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

All the men who went out of the city gate listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male of the city was circumcised.

American Standard Version (1901)

And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

Bible in Basic English

Then all the men of the town gave ear to the words of Hamor and Shechem his son; and every male in the town underwent circumcision.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And they all agreed, and circumcised all the males.

Free Bible Version

Everyone there at the town gate agreed with Hamor and Shechem so every male in the town was circumcised.

Geneva Bible 1599

And vnto Hamor, and Shechem his sonne hearkened all that went out of the gate of his citie: and all the men children were circumcised, euen all that went out of the gate of his citie.

King James (Authorized) Version

And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

One Unity Resource Bible

All who went out of the gate of his city sh'ma ·heard obeyed· to Hamor, and to Shechem his son; and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

All the men of the city listened to Hamor and Shechem, his son. Every male was circumcised.

Noah Webster Bible

And to Hamor and to Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city: and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

World English Bible

All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor, and to Shechem his son; and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

Young's Literal Translation

And unto Hamor, and unto Shechem his son, hearken do all those going out of the gate of his city, and every male is circumcised, all those going out of the gate of his city.

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary