Genesis 34:8
Genesis 34:8 in Multiple Translations
But Hamor said to them, “My son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife.
And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.
And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you, give her unto him to wife.
But Hamor said to them, Shechem, my son, is full of desire for your daughter: will you then give her to him for a wife?
Hamor told them, “My son Shechem is very much in love with your daughter and your sister Dinah. Please allow him to marry her.
And Hamor communed with them, saying, the soule of my sonne Shechem longeth for your daughter: giue her him to wife, I pray you.
And Hamor speaketh with them, saying, 'Shechem, my son, his soul hath cleaved to your daughter; give her, I pray you, to him for a wife,
Hamor talked with them, saying, “The soul of my son, Shechem, longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife.
And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her to him for a wife.
And Hemor spoke to them: The soul of my son Sichem has a longing for your daughter: give her him to wife:
But Hamor said to them, “My son Shechem really likes this girl. Please allow him to marry her.
And Hamor talked to Jacob and his sons. Hamor said, “My son Shekem, he loves your daughter Dinah, and he really wants to marry her. Please give her to him, so that she can be his wife.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 34:8
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 34:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֥ר
חֲמ֖וֹר
אִתָּ֣/ם
לֵ/אמֹ֑ר
שְׁכֶ֣ם
בְּנִ֗/י
חָֽשְׁקָ֤ה
נַפְשׁ/וֹ֙
בְּ/בִתְּ/כֶ֔ם
תְּנ֨וּ
נָ֥א
אֹתָ֛/הּ
ל֖/וֹ
לְ/אִשָּֽׁה
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֥ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
חֲמ֖וֹר
Chămôwr
H2544
Hamor
N-proper
אִתָּ֣/ם
ʼêth
H854
with
Prep | Suff
לֵ/אמֹ֑ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
שְׁכֶ֣ם
Shᵉkem
H7927
Shechem
N-proper
בְּנִ֗/י
bên
H1121
son
N-ms | Suff
חָֽשְׁקָ֤ה
châshaq
H2836
to desire
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
נַפְשׁ/וֹ֙
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs | Suff
בְּ/בִתְּ/כֶ֔ם
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
Prep | N-fs | Suff
תְּנ֨וּ
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
נָ֥א
nâʼ
H4994
please
Part
אֹתָ֛/הּ
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
ל֖/וֹ
Prep | Suff
לְ/אִשָּֽׁה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
Prep | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 34:8
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֥ר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
חֲמ֖וֹר
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.
אִתָּ֣/ם
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.
לֵ/אמֹ֑ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
שְׁכֶ֣ם
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.
בְּנִ֗/י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms | Suff
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.
חָֽשְׁקָ֤ה
châshaq
H2836
"to desire"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
To connect means to join or love something, as seen in Psalm 91:14 where God delights in those who love Him.
Definition: (Qal) to love, be attached to, long for
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: have a delight, (have a) desire, fillet, long, set (in) love. See also: Genesis 34:8; Deuteronomy 10:15; Psalms 91:14.
נַפְשׁ/וֹ֙
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
בְּ/בִתְּ/כֶ֔ם
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
Prep | N-fs | 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.
תְּנ֨וּ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
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.
נָ֥א
nâʼ
H4994
"please"
Part
The Hebrew word 'nâ'' is used to express a polite request, like 'please' or 'I pray', and is often added to verbs to make them more polite. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Ezra's reading of the law to the people.
Definition: 1) I (we) pray, now, please 1a) used in entreaty or exhortation
Usage: Occurs in 374 OT verses. KJV: I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh. See also: Genesis 12:11; Judges 4:19; 1 Kings 13:6.
אֹתָ֛/הּ
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
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.
ל֖/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
לְ/אִשָּֽׁה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
Prep | N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
Study Notes — Genesis 34:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Defiling of Dinah
6Meanwhile, Shechem’s father Hamor came to speak with Jacob.
7When Jacob’s sons heard what had happened, they returned from the field. They were filled with grief and fury, because Shechem had committed an outrage in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter—a thing that should not be done.
8But Hamor said to them, “My son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife.
9Intermarry with us; give us your daughters and take our daughters for yourselves. 10You may settle among us, and the land will be open to you. Live here, move about freely, and acquire your own property.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 11:2 | These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. |
| 2 | Psalms 119:20 | My soul is consumed with longing for Your judgments at all times. |
| 3 | Psalms 84:2 | My soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. |
| 4 | Psalms 63:1 | O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water. |
| 5 | Genesis 34:3 | And his soul was drawn to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young girl and spoke to her tenderly. |
Genesis 34:8 Summary
In Genesis 34:8, Hamor is trying to make things right between his family and Jacob's family after his son Shechem did something very wrong. He wants Jacob to give his daughter to Shechem as a wife, which was a common way for families to make peace in those days (see Genesis 21:22-24). This shows that Hamor values family relationships and wants to find a way to move forward, even in difficult situations (as seen in Genesis 50:15-21). However, it's also important to remember that God's ways are not always the same as our ways, and we should seek to follow His guidance in all our relationships, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Romans 12:1-2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of Hamor's request in Genesis 34:8?
Hamor's request for his son Shechem to marry Jacob's daughter is a response to the situation that arose when Shechem lied with Jacob's daughter, as seen in Genesis 34:7, and is an attempt to make amends and form a relationship between their families, similar to the way Laban and Jacob formed a family bond through marriage in Genesis 29:1-30.
Is Hamor's proposal in Genesis 34:8 a genuine attempt at reconciliation?
While Hamor's words may seem sincere, his proposal is also driven by a desire to protect his son Shechem and to form a strategic alliance with Jacob's family, as seen in Genesis 34:9-10, which is similar to the way Abraham formed alliances with his neighbors in Genesis 21:22-24.
How does Genesis 34:8 relate to the concept of marriage in the Bible?
The request for Jacob's daughter to be given to Shechem as a wife highlights the cultural and biblical significance of marriage as a covenant between families, as seen in Genesis 24:1-4, where Abraham seeks a wife for Isaac, and in Ephesians 5:25-33, where marriage is described as a picture of Christ's love for the church.
What can we learn from Hamor's approach to conflict resolution in Genesis 34:8?
Hamor's attempt to resolve the conflict through a peaceful and diplomatic approach, as seen in Genesis 34:8, can be contrasted with the violent response of Jacob's sons in Genesis 34:25-31, and serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking peaceful solutions to conflicts, as encouraged in Matthew 5:9 and Romans 12:18.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can seek to resolve conflicts in a peaceful and diplomatic manner, like Hamor in Genesis 34:8, and how can I trust God to work out the details?
- How can I balance the desire to protect my loved ones with the need to forgive and show mercy to those who have wronged us, as seen in the story of Joseph in Genesis 45:1-15?
- What are some cultural or societal pressures that may influence my decisions, like Hamor's desire to form an alliance with Jacob's family, and how can I seek to follow God's will above all else, as seen in Romans 12:1-2?
- In what ways can I seek to build bridges of understanding and reconciliation with those around me, like Hamor's attempt to form a relationship with Jacob's family, and how can I trust God to work through these relationships to bring about healing and restoration, as seen in Genesis 50:15-21?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 34:8
And Hamor communed with them,.... With Jacob and his sons, who came in just at that time: saying, the soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: the daughter of the family, and the only
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 34:8
And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife. Hamor communed with them.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 34:8
Hamor communed with them; with Jacob’ s sons, to whom Jacob committed the business, being himself oppressed with shame and grief, and fear for his daughter. Your daughter, the daughter of your family; or he thus speaketh to her brothers, because they transacted all in their father’ s name.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 34:8
Genesis 34:8 And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.Ver. 8. And Hamor communed with them.] A fond father seeks to satisfy the lust of a loose son, whom he should severely have punished; such parents are peremptores potius quam parentes, saith Bernard; like apes, that kill their young with culling them. They show their love as little, as if, by clapping their hands on their children’ s mouths, to keep the cold wind from them, they should strangle them to death. A fair hand, here, maketh a foul wound; when correction would be a kind of cure. Severitas tamen non sit tetra, sed tetrica, saith Sidonius. For, as a cur by trying waxeth fiercer, and as new wine breaketh weak vessels; so too much severity overthroweth, and quite spilleth a tender mind. Sidonius, lib, iv. epist. 9.
Sermons on Genesis 34:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Resolutions (Reading) by Jonathan Edwards | In this sermon, the speaker presents a series of resolutions that he has made to live a life dedicated to the glory of God. He resolves to constantly seek new ways to promote the t |
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Diary - Back at Home - 1723 by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the journey of self-reflection, repentance, and striving for holiness in various states of life. He emphasizes the importance of withdrawing worldly |
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Psalm 84-01 by James K. Boswell | In this sermon, the speaker outlines five key ingredients for a fulfilling relationship with God. The first ingredient is the recognition of God's power, as seen in verse one. The |
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The Happy Man 04 Prescription for Joy by James K. Boswell | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing God in our lives. He refers to Psalm 14:1, where it says that the fool says in his heart, "there is no God." H |
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Heavenly Meditation by Richard Baxter | Richard Baxter preaches about the importance of daily meditation and prayer, urging believers to retire to a private place, set aside worldly thoughts, and focus on heavenly realit |
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A Test of Assurance by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson emphasizes that true love for God is evidenced by a deep desire for His presence in all aspects of life, a genuine hatred for sin, a coolness towards worldly things, |
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Receiving and Walking by James Bourne | James Bourne preaches on the importance of walking with Christ as we first received Him, emphasizing the need to maintain a fervent spirit and constant communion with Jesus. He war |