Genesis 34:5 kjv

And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.

Genesis 34:5 nkjv

And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. Now his sons were with his livestock in the field; so Jacob held his peace until they came.

Genesis 34:5 niv

When Jacob heard that his daughter Dinah had been defiled, his sons were in the fields with his livestock; so he did nothing about it until they came home.

Genesis 34:5 esv

Now Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah. But his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob held his peace until they came.

Genesis 34:5 nlt

Soon Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter, Dinah. But since his sons were out in the fields herding his livestock, he said nothing until they returned.

Genesis 34 verses

Genesis 34 5 Meaning

Genesis 34:5 reveals Jacob's initial response to the defilement of his daughter, Dinah, by Shechem. Upon hearing the news, Jacob, despite the grave nature of the incident and the deep dishonor inflicted upon his family, chooses to remain silent. This deliberate pause is motivated by the absence of his sons, who are away tending the family livestock, indicating his reliance on their collective counsel and action, and possibly his characteristic caution or strategic thinking.

Genesis 34 5 Context

Genesis chapter 34 details a significant and troubling event in Jacob's family history following his return to the land of Canaan. Prior to this verse, Dinah, Jacob's only daughter by Leah, goes out to see the local women in Shechem, a city Jacob had recently settled near (Gen 34:1-2). Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, the local ruler, seizes, lies with, and violates her (Gen 34:2). Immediately after this defilement, Shechem develops a strong affection for Dinah and requests his father Hamor to arrange a marriage with her (Gen 34:3-4).

This verse, Gen 34:5, introduces Jacob's reaction to the news of this profound dishonor. The historical and cultural context of the ancient Near East dictates that the defilement of a virgin was a grievous affront not only to the individual but, more critically, to her family's honor, reputation, and social standing. In this honor-shame society, such an act necessitated a powerful response from the family, particularly the male members, to restore honor or exact retribution. The patriarchal structure meant decisions, especially concerning family defense, often involved the head of the household and his adult sons. The separation of Jacob's sons from him, due to their essential work of tending the extensive family livestock in the field, creates a critical delay in their united family response, setting the stage for the dramatic and violent events that follow.

Genesis 34 5 Word analysis

• Now Jacob (וַיַּעֲקֹב, way·ya‘ă·qōḇ): "Jacob" means "heel-grabber" or "supplanter," often associated with his strategic and sometimes manipulative character. Here, it emphasizes the personal affront to him as the patriarch and father. The phrase marks a shift in focus to Jacob's knowledge and reaction.
• heard (שָׁמַע, šā·ma‘): The Hebrew verb indicates he "received information" or "was told," not that he witnessed the act directly. This passive reception of news highlights the delay in his immediate, on-site intervention.
• that he had defiled (טִמֵּא, ṭim·mê): From the root ṭāmēʾ (טמא), meaning "to be unclean, defiled, polluted, desecrated." This term is highly significant; it implies not only a physical sexual act (violation/rape) but also a spiritual, moral, and ceremonial defilement. Dinah was rendered impure, a serious state in a culture focused on purity and ritual cleanliness. The gravity of the offense is heightened by this specific theological term.
• Dinah his daughter (דִּינָה בִתּוֹ, dî·nāh vit·tōw): "Dinah," the only daughter of Jacob explicitly named among his children, underscores her unique vulnerability and the depth of the familial connection. "His daughter" emphasizes the direct challenge to Jacob's patriarchal authority and the severe breach of his family's honor.
• but his sons (וּבָנָיו, ū·ḇā·nāw): The conjunction "but" creates a strong contrast. Jacob hears the news, but he is alone, unable to consult or act immediately with the male members responsible for defending family honor. His sons, particularly Levi and Simeon, would prove crucial in the subsequent actions.
• were with his livestock (אֶת־מִקְנֵהוּ, ’eṯ-miq·nē·hū): "Livestock" (miqneh) represents the family's wealth and primary source of livelihood. Their responsibility for the flocks necessitates their absence, indicating a practical and strategic reason for their distance.
• in the field (בַשָּׂדֶה, ḇaš·śā·ḏeh): Signifies a significant geographical separation, preventing immediate communication or unified action within the patriarchal family structure. This spatial distance impacts the timing of their response.
• so Jacob kept silent (וְהֶחֱרִישׁ יַעֲקֹב, wə·he·ḥĕ·rîš ya‘ă·qōḇ): The verb ḥāraš (חרשׁ) means "to be silent," "hold one's peace," "keep quiet." Jacob's silence is not necessarily a sign of passivity, shock, or weakness, but rather a deliberate and strategic withholding of an immediate response. Given Jacob's character (often cautious, deliberate, and cunning), it signifies a calculated decision to await the full family council, particularly his older, more active sons. It could also reflect a period of contemplation and internal processing before responding to such an outrageous event.
• until they came home (עַד־בֹּאָם, ‘aḏ-bō·’ām): This phrase defines the duration and condition of Jacob's silence. He chooses to wait until all key family members, his sons, return. This waiting period allows the tension to build and implies a delayed, likely more organized, collective response rather than a rash, individual one.

Genesis 34 5 Bonus section

The seemingly passive response of Jacob in this verse stands in stark contrast to the more assertive patriarchs like Abraham, who mobilized armed servants to rescue Lot (Gen 14). However, it aligns with Jacob's own nature seen in his cautious maneuvering before meeting Esau (Gen 32-33). His silence reflects not necessarily weakness, but a recognition that such a grave matter required the collective strength and deliberation of his family, particularly his adult sons who carried the zeal and responsibility for family honor. The cultural imperative for honor to be restored or vengeance exacted meant Jacob likely perceived a united front as crucial, highlighting the intense family dynamics and the patriarch's evolving reliance on his maturing sons. This also illustrates how personal events in a patriarch's life, though messy and challenging, were nevertheless part of the divine unfolding of God's plan for Israel, even when human actions fell short of His righteous standards.

Genesis 34 5 Commentary

Genesis 34:5 is a pivotal verse that highlights Jacob's measured initial response to the defilement of Dinah. His "silence" is not mere inaction but a calculated, albeit unusual, choice for the patriarch facing such a profound family disgrace. In ancient Israelite society, honor was paramount, and the defilement of a virgin daughter was an egregious offense that demanded immediate and forceful redress. Yet, Jacob chose to wait. This could be attributed to several factors: his characteristic caution (seen in his approach to Esau in Gen 32), his reliance on his older sons for executing justice and collective family action, and perhaps a shrewd assessment that a fragmented response without all key players would be ineffective or lead to greater danger.

The deep meaning of "defiled" (ṭim·mê) is crucial; it wasn't just physical harm but an indelible spiritual and social stain on Dinah and her entire clan. The sons' absence for essential work, "with his livestock in the field," provided a legitimate, yet critical, delay that set the stage for their fiery, disproportionate, and deceitful revenge later in the chapter (Gen 34:25-29). Jacob's silence thus forms a suspenseful calm before the storm, emphasizing his deliberate and complex nature and foreshadowing the dark events fueled by his sons' zealous, though ultimately condemned, reaction.