Genesis 34:20 kjv

And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,

Genesis 34:20 nkjv

And Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city, and spoke with the men of their city, saying:

Genesis 34:20 niv

So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate of their city to speak to the men of their city.

Genesis 34:20 esv

So Hamor and his son Shechem came to the gate of their city and spoke to the men of their city, saying,

Genesis 34:20 nlt

and he went with his father, Hamor, to present this proposal to the leaders at the town gate.

Genesis 34 verses

Genesis 34 20 Meaning

Genesis 34:20 describes the formal action taken by Hamor, the ruler of Shechem, and his son Shechem, to address their community regarding a proposed alliance with Jacob's family. They went to the city gate, the public assembly point, to present their case, aiming to persuade the men of their city to agree to the terms they believed would secure the alliance and bring wealth. This act initiates the fateful public deliberation that sets the stage for the deceptive plot orchestrated by Dinah's brothers.

Genesis 34 20 Context

Genesis chapter 34 details the horrific events following Dinah's defilement by Shechem, the son of Hamor. After Shechem violates Dinah, he becomes infatuated and desires to marry her. Hamor, Shechem’s father and the prince of the region, initiates negotiations with Jacob and his sons. Jacob's sons, enraged by the dishonor brought upon their family, propose a condition for alliance: all male inhabitants of Shechem must be circumcised. Unbeknownst to Hamor and Shechem, this is a deceitful scheme to render the Shechemites vulnerable for vengeful attack.

Verse 20 shows Hamor and Shechem's move to secure the alliance. The ancient Near Eastern "city gate" was far more than an entrance; it was the bustling administrative, commercial, and judicial center. Major transactions, legal disputes, and public announcements took place here. By speaking to "the men of their city" at this location, Hamor and Shechem were conducting a formal, public address, seeking the consent and participation of the community elders and able-bodied men for a crucial city-wide decision concerning intermarriage, trade, and integration with a wealthy neighboring family (Jacob's). Their actions reflect the communal decision-making process typical of that era, yet ironically pave the way for their downfall.

Genesis 34 20 Word analysis

• So (וַיָּבֹאוּ): Connects this action as a consequence of earlier negotiations, leading into the next crucial step. It indicates progression in the narrative.
• Hamor (חֲמוֹר, ḥămôr): Means "donkey" in Hebrew. He is the Hivite prince, the city leader of Shechem. His name might subtly imply a plodding or somewhat stubborn nature, or possibly his bearing the "burden" of negotiating.
• and Shechem (וּשְׁכֶם, ūšeḵem): "Shoulder," also the name of the city. He is Hamor's son, who defiled Dinah. The dual presence of father and son emphasizes the full authority backing the proposal. Shechem's name symbolizing "shoulder" hints at his assumed strength or future responsibility, yet he caused vulnerability.
• his son (בְּנוֹ, běnō): Highlights the familial and political succession. Their joint appearance underscores the authority and earnestness of their presentation to their people.
• came (וַיָּבֹאוּ, vayyāvō’ū): Plural verb. Indicates a purposeful movement, emphasizing their initiative and shared determination.
• to the gate (שַׁעַר, šaʿar): The public square and primary entrance of an ancient city. Symbolized the administrative, legal, and economic center where crucial decisions were made. Public affairs, legal cases, and commerce were conducted here.
• of their city (עִירָם, ‘iram): The fortified urban settlement, emphasizing that this was a public, communal affair affecting all inhabitants. It stresses the civic sphere.
• and spoke (וַיְדַבְּרוּ, vaydabberū): To communicate formally and purposefully. This was a deliberate address to influence and gain consent from the assembly.
• with the men (אֶל־אַנְשֵׁי, ʾel-’anšê): The collective male population, specifically the elders and decision-makers of the community. Indicates a formal presentation requiring communal agreement.
• of their city (עִירָם, ‘iram): Reinforces the audience as their fellow citizens.
• saying (לֵאמֹר, lē’mōr): Introduces the direct discourse that follows in subsequent verses, laying out their proposal to the Hivite citizens.

Words-group analysis:

• "Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city": This phrase signifies the solemn, public, and official nature of their intent. Going to the city gate was a recognized action for presenting important civic matters. It highlights their leadership and their unified resolve in pursuing this alliance.
• "and spoke with the men of their city, saying": This emphasizes that the ensuing proposal (in vv. 21-23) was presented as a formal address to the entire male assembly. It indicates the need for public assent for such a significant inter-tribal agreement, contrasting with the clandestine, deceptive plan of Jacob's sons. This group of words sets up the Hivites' collective tragic decision based on misplaced trust and material enticement.

Genesis 34 20 Bonus section

• The public nature of Hamor and Shechem's appeal stands in stark contrast to the secretive and malicious intentions of Simeon and Levi. While Hamor and Shechem operate transparently for communal consent, Jacob’s sons engage in private, deceptive planning. This highlights a moral disjunction between the two parties, despite the initial wrong committed by Shechem.
• The Hivite leadership's willingness to integrate another people and their wealth, as opposed to conflict, is commendable from a societal growth perspective, but their naiveté regarding Jacob’s sons’ intentions proves fatal. They were enticed by the prospect of acquiring Jacob's substantial wealth and herds, showing their materialistic motives overriding their discernment.
• This verse contributes to the tragic irony of the chapter: an honest and open request for communal assent (from the Hivites) is ultimately met with deceit and horrific violence (from Jacob’s sons). The Hivite people's acceptance of the drastic circumcision condition, urged by Hamor and Shechem (vv. 21-23), seals their fate, as it makes them defenseless for the impending attack.

Genesis 34 20 Commentary

Verse 20 functions as a crucial scene-setting moment, vividly illustrating Hamor and Shechem's eager, public efforts to legitimize and secure the alliance with Jacob’s family. Their journey to the city gate was not a casual stroll but a deliberate, culturally significant act. In ancient societies, the city gate served as the heart of public life – the courthouse, the marketplace, and the assembly grounds. By presenting their case to "the men of their city" in this prominent location, Hamor and Shechem ensured the matter was brought before the entire community, implying their desire for the consent and involvement of their people. Their address, though seemingly prudent and transparent, unknowingly makes their city vulnerable to the sinister plot already concocted by Dinah's vengeful brothers. This public demonstration of their good faith and their openness for a joint venture, driven by Shechem’s passion for Dinah and their collective desire for wealth (as revealed in v. 23), ironically paves the way for the betrayal and massacre that will ensue, serving as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences of misplaced trust and undiscerning pursuit of gain.