Genesis 34:18 kjv

And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.

Genesis 34:18 nkjv

And their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor's son.

Genesis 34:18 niv

Their proposal seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem.

Genesis 34:18 esv

Their words pleased Hamor and Hamor's son Shechem.

Genesis 34:18 nlt

Hamor and his son Shechem agreed to their proposal.

Genesis 34 verses

Genesis 34 18 Meaning

Genesis 34:18 indicates that the conditions and proposals set forth by Jacob’s sons—specifically their demand for all males in Shechem to be circumcised for future intermarriage and cohabitation—were entirely acceptable and favorable in the estimation of both Hamor, the Hivite prince of Shechem, and his son Shechem, who had dishonored Dinah. They viewed these terms as beneficial for their community.

Genesis 34 18 Context

Genesis chapter 34 details the severe consequences stemming from the sexual defilement of Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, by Shechem, the son of Hamor. After Shechem violates Dinah, he falls in love with her and his father Hamor seeks a marriage alliance with Jacob and his sons. Jacob's sons, however, harbor deep resentment and craft a deceitful plan. Instead of outright refusal, they present a condition: all male inhabitants of Shechem must be circumcised. This verse (Gen 34:18) captures the critical moment when Hamor and Shechem readily accept this deceptive proposal, swayed by the prospect of gaining Jacob’s wealth and establishing a beneficial alliance, as shown in their later speech to their city (Gen 34:21-23). This acceptance sets the stage for Simeon and Levi’s ruthless retribution against the defenseless men of Shechem, demonstrating the destructive power of deception and unchecked vengeance, all while contrasting the sacred covenant of circumcision with its profane, manipulative use. Historically, this account also underscores the gravity of family honor in ancient patriarchal societies and provides an early narrative warning against assimilation with surrounding Canaanite cultures.

Genesis 34 18 Word analysis

• And their words: (Hebrew: וַיִּיטְבוּ דִבְרֵיהֶם, vayyitvu divreihem) This refers to the specific proposition, terms, and conditions laid out by Jacob's sons (Simeon and Levi) to Hamor and Shechem. It's not just a casual conversation but a formal negotiation. The "words" encompass the full ultimatum of requiring universal circumcision in Shechem. This indicates that the sons carefully articulated their deceptive demands.

• pleased: (Hebrew: וַיִּיטְבוּ, vayyitvu) From the Hebrew root yatav (יטב), meaning "to be good," "to be pleasing," or "to be agreeable." The form implies that their words "were made good" or "became acceptable" in the eyes of Hamor and Shechem. This word highlights their positive reception and perceived advantage in the proposed agreement, showing their internal satisfaction and assent to the terms.

• Hamor: (Hebrew: חֲמוֹר, Hamor) The name of the prince, or patriarch, of the Hivite community of Shechem. His approval signifies the leadership's acceptance and represents the city's political and social acquiescence to the terms.

• and Shechem: (Hebrew: שְׁכֶם, Shechem) The son of Hamor, who initiated the conflict by violating Dinah. His personal acceptance is crucial because he was the one deeply desirous of Dinah and stood to benefit directly from the marriage alliance.

• Hamor's son: This phrase reinforces the relationship between Shechem and the governing authority (his father). It indicates that the decision to accept the terms was endorsed by both the established leader and his immediate successor, underscoring the collective, albeit misguided, decision of the city's key figures.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And their words pleased Hamor and Shechem": This phrase encapsulates the turning point where the Jacob's sons' trap begins to ensnare their victims. The apparent agreeableness of the proposal is born of deceit on one side and worldly opportunism on the other. Hamor and Shechem's pleasure was rooted in a pragmatic, avaricious worldview, believing they would gain economic benefit and a strong alliance by accepting what they saw as a simple ritual, overlooking the moral transgression and the cunning intent of Dinah's brothers. Their approval reflects their lack of spiritual discernment, mistaking a sacred covenant sign for a mere means to worldly gain. This critical juncture seals the fate of the men of Shechem.

Genesis 34 18 Bonus section

• The eagerness of Hamor and Shechem to accept the terms, despite their severe nature (requiring physical alteration for all men), demonstrates their immense desire for the wealth and prestige associated with Jacob's large household. This highlights a pervasive worldly value system that prioritized material acquisition over moral integrity or true spiritual understanding.
• This verse provides an early foreshadowing of the ongoing conflict between the Israelites and the Canaanite nations, not just through warfare but through differing values and spiritual approaches. It underscores the challenges Israel would face in maintaining its distinctiveness amidst cultures driven by pragmatic, often unethical, pursuits.
• The incident at Shechem also sets up the narrative tension within Jacob's own family, particularly concerning Simeon and Levi's zealous, violent nature (which Jacob later condemns in Gen 49). Even within the promised line, the misuse of power and ungodly actions had severe repercussions.

Genesis 34 18 Commentary

Genesis 34:18 is a concise but potent verse. It marks the apparent success of the deceptive strategy employed by Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi. Hamor and Shechem’s quick acceptance of the circumcision demand exposes their profound spiritual blindness and materialistic motivations. They saw the proposal as a lucrative opportunity—a means to consolidate wealth and expand their community (Gen 34:23)—rather than an acknowledgment of Dinah's dignity or a sacred covenant with God. Their agreement, characterized by "pleasure" in their "eyes," demonstrates a willingness to compromise sacred principles for temporal gain. This acceptance, devoid of genuine repentance for Dinah's defilement, sets the stage for the swift and devastating vengeance enacted by Jacob's sons. The verse implicitly highlights a critical theological contrast: the profound misuse of a divine sign (circumcision) for ulterior, unholy purposes versus its original intention as a mark of a covenant relationship with God. It serves as a stark warning against treating spiritual matters as mere tools for worldly advantage, and how short-sighted human planning, driven by self-interest, can lead to unforeseen and catastrophic consequences.