Genesis 34:1 kjv

And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.

Genesis 34:1 nkjv

Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.

Genesis 34:1 niv

Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land.

Genesis 34:1 esv

Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the women of the land.

Genesis 34:1 nlt

One day Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, went to visit some of the young women who lived in the area.

Genesis 34 verses

Genesis 34 1 Meaning

Genesis 34:1 states that Dinah, Leah's daughter by Jacob, went out from her family's encampment to visit or observe the local Canaanite women, often referred to as "the daughters of the land." This seemingly innocent act of venturing out from the protection of her nomadic family to interact with the inhabitants of Canaan marks a pivotal moment, leading directly to the tragic events of abduction, deception, and violent retaliation that define the chapter. It highlights the vulnerability of Jacob's household to the customs and dangers of the surrounding pagan culture.

Genesis 34 1 Context

Genesis 34:1 initiates one of the most violent and morally complex narratives in the patriarchal history. The preceding chapters chronicle Jacob's return to the land of Canaan, his reconciliation with Esau (Gen 33), and his settling in Shechem. Jacob had purchased a plot of land and set up an altar there, demonstrating an intention to dwell. However, his interaction with the local inhabitants remained limited. Dinah's "going out" therefore represents the initial venture by a member of Jacob's household into the social life of the Canaanite city, thereby crossing a boundary that had largely been maintained by previous patriarchs (e.g., Abraham sending for a wife for Isaac from his own kindred). The verse serves as a crucial transition from internal family dynamics to the challenging and often perilous interaction with the broader world, highlighting the moral differences and dangers inherent in the surrounding culture of Canaan.

Genesis 34 1 Word analysis

• And Dinah (וְדִינָה, ve-Dinah): "And" connects this event directly to the preceding narrative, implying a chronological continuation. Dinah's name (דִּינָה) derives from the root din (דִּין), meaning "judgment" or "to judge." This is significant given the profound judgment and consequences that unfold in the chapter directly related to her. She is Jacob’s only listed daughter, and her story, therefore, takes prominence.
• the daughter of Leah: This phrase identifies her clearly through her mother's lineage. Leah's children, often feeling less favored than Rachel's, are typically prominent in the narrative of Jacob's family. Her lineage is vital to understanding the reactions of Dinah’s full brothers, Levi and Simeon, later in the chapter, whose protective fury for their sister (and family honor) leads to their extreme violence.
• whom she had borne to Jacob: This reiterates Dinah’s undisputed place as a full child of Jacob, affirming her legitimate standing within the patriarchal family and underlining Jacob’s responsibility for her, a responsibility he would struggle to uphold. It emphasizes her direct relationship to the family whose honor will be defiled.
• went out (וַתֵּצֵא, vat-te-tse): A Qal consecutive imperfect verb, denoting deliberate action. This seemingly simple action holds profound consequences. It signifies Dinah voluntarily departing the protection of her family's tent-camp for the more unpredictable environment of the "land." In a semi-nomadic society, women were generally protected within the household sphere, making this venture notable and indicative of perhaps a youthful curiosity or desire for social engagement beyond her immediate kin. This act of "going out" from a guarded domestic setting into a potentially hostile external one sets the stage for tragedy.
• to see (לִרְאוֹת, lir'ot): From the Hebrew verb ra'ah (רָאָה), meaning "to see," "to look," "to perceive," or "to meet." This suggests Dinah’s primary intention was curiosity and observation, perhaps to observe customs or forge acquaintances. It does not imply a negative or immoral initial purpose on her part, but rather a desire for social interaction.
• the daughters of the land (בְּנוֹת הָאָרֶץ, benot ha'aretz): Refers to the local Canaanite women residing in the land. The phrase "the land" (ha'aretz) often specifically denotes Canaan, which was distinct from the people of God's covenant. This distinguishes these women as non-Israelites, highlighting the potential for cultural, religious, and moral differences. Interacting with "the daughters of the land" implied entering a realm of different social customs and moral norms, especially regarding sexual ethics, which proved to be fraught with danger for Dinah.

Genesis 34 1 Bonus section

The seemingly brief description of Dinah in this verse, after her birth being noted only cursorily (Gen 30:21), thrusts her into the center of a crisis. This particular action—a young woman "going out" on her own to meet foreign women—would likely have been considered imprudent or at least unusual for Jacob's household, which operated on different standards than the surrounding Canaanite society. The vulnerability implied by Dinah's unsupervised movement speaks to either a lapse in patriarchal protection or Dinah's strong, independent will to explore, given that daughters were typically very protected in this period. Her name, Dinah, meaning "judgment," becomes tragically ironic, as she experiences devastating judgment (through her violation) and then witnesses severe judgment meted out by her brothers. Her experience becomes a cautionary tale within Israel's ancestral history, emphasizing the potential for spiritual and physical harm when God's people blur the lines of distinction from the surrounding world, highlighting the enduring relevance of separating oneself from the unholy aspects of society.

Genesis 34 1 Commentary

Genesis 34:1 sets a somber tone for the ensuing narrative by describing Dinah's seemingly innocent "going out." This seemingly innocuous act carries weighty implications. In a world where nomadic women like Dinah were typically sheltered within the family compound, her venturing into the populated areas of Canaan signifies a departure from familial norms and security. Her desire "to see the daughters of the land" reflects either curiosity about the world beyond her family or perhaps a youthful loneliness, being Jacob's only daughter amidst many sons. However, this interaction immediately exposes her to grave danger. The verse highlights the precarious position of God's chosen family dwelling among pagan peoples, foreshadowing the continuous tension between separation for holiness and integration into the broader world. It illustrates that seemingly small deviations from protective boundaries can initiate chains of events with severe and far-reaching consequences, revealing the moral laxity of the surrounding cultures contrasted with the developing moral standards intended for the people of God.