Genesis 34:21 kjv

These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

Genesis 34:21 nkjv

"These men are at peace with us. Therefore let them dwell in the land and trade in it. For indeed the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters to us as wives, and let us give them our daughters.

Genesis 34:21 niv

"These men are friendly toward us," they said. "Let them live in our land and trade in it; the land has plenty of room for them. We can marry their daughters and they can marry ours.

Genesis 34:21 esv

"These men are at peace with us; let them dwell in the land and trade in it, for behold, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters as wives, and let us give them our daughters.

Genesis 34:21 nlt

"These men are our friends," they said. "Let's invite them to live here among us and trade freely. Look, the land is large enough to hold them. We can take their daughters as wives and let them marry ours.

Genesis 34 verses

Genesis 34 21 Meaning

Genesis 34:21 states that Hamor, Shechem's father, presented the sons of Jacob as "peaceable" men to his people, advocating for their residence and trade within the land. He proposes intermarriage and a shared existence, falsely portraying their intentions and prioritizing economic gain over true peace. The verse reveals the Shechemites' perception of the Jacobites, driven by their desire for the Jacobites' wealth and livestock, while overlooking the recent violent defilement of Dinah and the true motivations behind Hamor's proposal.

Genesis 34 21 Context

Genesis chapter 34 details the defilement of Dinah, Jacob's daughter, by Shechem, son of Hamor, the Hivite prince of the land. Following this, Shechem and Hamor approach Jacob and his sons with a proposal for marriage alliance and integration. Hamor's speech in verse 21 is delivered to the men of his city, urging them to accept Jacob's family as residents and allow intermarriage, primarily to acquire their wealth, cattle, and goods. The Shechemites, blinded by potential material gain and seduced by the prospect of acquiring Jacob's wealth, agree to Hamor's condition of male circumcision. Unbeknownst to them, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's full brothers, are planning a brutal revenge for their sister's defilement, which will exploit this very condition. The immediate context of this verse is Hamor and Shechem presenting a seemingly "peaceable" and advantageous proposition to their city while secretly planning deception from Jacob's sons' side.

Genesis 34 21 Word analysis

• These men (ha'anashim ha'eleh, הָאֲנָשִׁים הָאֵלֶּה): Refers to Jacob's family, specifically the males. Hamor emphasizes them as a group with whom a transaction can be made.
• are peaceable (shlemim hem, שְׁלֵמִים הֵם):
  • shlemim (from root shalem): Implies "complete," "whole," "intact," "sound," or "at peace." In this context, it is used deceptively by Hamor to signify that Jacob's family is trustworthy, harmless, and cooperative. This word suggests outward harmony, but in light of the unfolding narrative, it is a gross misrepresentation or naive misjudgment on Hamor's part, reflecting a desire for material benefit over discernment. It also subtly prepares the audience for the dramatic turn where the sons of Jacob will feign peace for their violent act.
  • This is not the standard shalom for deep peace but rather a statement of outward conduct being agreeable or non-threatening.
• with us (ittanu, אִתָּנוּ): Emphasizes their proximity and proposed integration into the community, presenting them as potential allies or citizens, not threats.
• therefore (tots'u, תּוֹצְאוּ): Connects the perceived peaceability directly to the proposed outcome – allowing them to dwell and trade.
• let them dwell in the land (v'yeshvu ba'arets, וְיֵשְׁבוּ בָאָרֶץ):
  • yeshvu (from yashav): "to sit," "dwell," "inhabit." Indicates a stable, settled presence.
  • ba'arets (eretz): Refers specifically to the land of Shechem, the territory where the Hivites resided. Hamor is inviting permanent residency, indicating perceived prosperity Jacob's family would bring.
• and trade (veyis'h'ru, וְיִסְחֲרוּ):
  • yis'h'ru (from sahar): "to go about," "to traffic," "to trade." This highlights the economic incentive for Hamor and the Shechemites, who saw benefit in commercial interactions with the wealthy Jacobites. It shows the primary motivation behind their seemingly accommodating stance.
• for indeed the land is wide enough for them (vehah'arets rachavat yadayim lahem, וְהָאָרֶץ רַחֲבַת יָדַיִם לָהֶם):
  • rachavat yadayim: Literally "wide of hands," an idiom meaning "spacious," "ample," "expansive," "roomy." This signifies that there is enough room for both peoples to coexist without conflict over territory, presenting an image of prosperity and boundless opportunity. It seeks to assure the Shechemites that there is no scarcity concern.
• let us take their daughters for wives and let us give them our daughters. (et b'notam nikach lanu l'nashim v'et b'notenu nitan lahem, אֶת בְּנוֹתָם נִקַּח לָנוּ לְנָשִׁים וְאֵת בְּנוֹתֵינוּ נִתֵּן לָהֶם): This explicitly outlines the proposed marital intermingling. Hamor desires a full integration, seen as mutually beneficial, though it violated future divine decrees against such unions for the Israelites (Deut 7).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "These men are peaceable with us": This phrase serves as the foundation of Hamor's deceitful plea. It minimizes the gravity of Dinah's defilement, portraying Jacob's family as benign and desirable partners, directly countering the reality of the offense and the vengeance brewing. It reveals a political expediency overriding moral truth.
• "therefore let them dwell in the land and trade": This forms the practical application of Hamor's "peaceable" assertion. It signifies the primary motive—economic integration and exploitation of Jacob's wealth—under the guise of mutual benefit. The sequence suggests settlement before commerce, establishing permanence.
• "for indeed the land is wide enough for them": This statement addresses potential concerns about limited resources or conflicts over land, assuring the Shechemites of the viability and benefit of cohabitation without territorial strife. It aims to remove any geographical objections to the proposed alliance.
• "let us take their daughters for wives and let us give them our daughters": This phrase seals the proposed alliance through intermarriage, signaling a complete merging of the two peoples. It aims to bind the groups by familial ties, ensuring peace and economic synergy from Hamor's perspective, though from the divine perspective, this mingling was dangerous for Israel's distinct identity.

Genesis 34 21 Bonus section

The seemingly innocent invitation for trade and intermarriage by Hamor stands in stark contrast to God's later, explicit commandments to Israel to not intermarry with the peoples of the land due to their idolatrous practices (Exod 34:15-16; Deut 7:1-6). This incident in Shechem, therefore, serves as an early, tragic object lesson of the spiritual and physical dangers of forming alliances with ungodly peoples based solely on material or political expediency, rather than divine guidance and discernment. It demonstrates how superficial peace can mask profound wickedness, leading to destruction. Furthermore, the Shechemites' gullibility in being swayed by potential wealth ("will not their livestock, their property, and all their animals be ours?") highlights the peril of covetousness that blinds judgment. This narrative thus foreshadows the ongoing struggle of Israel throughout its history to maintain its distinct, holy identity amidst the lure of worldly alliances. The phrase "the land is wide enough for them" also serves to justify the proposed intermingling from a natural standpoint, highlighting a human reasoning that entirely dismisses the unique divine purpose for Jacob's lineage.

Genesis 34 21 Commentary

Genesis 34:21 encapsulates Hamor's persuasive appeal to the men of Shechem, aimed at securing the wealthy Jacobite family as residents and integrating them through marital and economic ties. His claim that "these men are peaceable" is a deliberate misrepresentation of Jacob's sons, who were secretly seething with indignation and plotting vengeful violence for their sister Dinah's defilement. Hamor, along with his son Shechem, viewed Jacob's family primarily through a lens of material gain, seeing their considerable possessions and livestock as an asset for their city. The argument that "the land is wide enough for them" also serves to alleviate any potential anxiety among the Hivites about shared resources or space, further smoothing the path for the proposed merger. The suggestion of reciprocal intermarriage reveals a desire for full absorption and advantage, highlighting the worldly motives that drive the Shechemite leaders. This verse tragically sets the stage for the devastating consequences, as the Shechemites readily accept a covenant condition (circumcision) that the sons of Jacob will exploit with extreme cunning and cruelty, showcasing the dire results of misplaced trust, unholy alliances, and unchecked sin.