Genesis 34:6 kjv

And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.

Genesis 34:6 nkjv

Then Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him.

Genesis 34:6 niv

Then Shechem's father Hamor went out to talk with Jacob.

Genesis 34:6 esv

And Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him.

Genesis 34:6 nlt

Hamor, Shechem's father, came to discuss the matter with Jacob.

Genesis 34 verses

Genesis 34 6 Meaning

Genesis 34:6 describes the immediate diplomatic action taken by Hamor, the leader of Shechem, following the defilement of Dinah, Jacob's daughter, by his son, Shechem. This verse marks the beginning of a crucial negotiation, where Hamor seeks to formalize relations with Jacob's family through marriage, initiating dialogue to resolve the crisis.

Genesis 34 6 Context

Genesis chapter 34 immediately follows Jacob's return to the land of Canaan and his settlement near the city of Shechem. His only daughter, Dinah, went out to see the women of the land and was seized, defiled, and raped by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the Hivite prince of the region. News of this outrage reaches Jacob, but he delays action until his sons, particularly Simeon and Levi, return from the fields. Upon hearing of their sister's dishonor, the brothers are filled with furious anger. It is into this tense and highly volatile situation that Hamor, taking initiative, comes to Jacob to open negotiations. The cultural context emphasizes tribal honor, the severity of a daughter's defilement, and the importance of marriage negotiations and bride-price. This verse initiates a deceptive plot that culminates in the massacre of the male inhabitants of Shechem.

Genesis 34 6 Word analysis

• Then (וַיֵּצֵא, vayyēṣēʾ): This common Hebrew connective emphasizes the sequence of events. It shows Hamor's immediate response to the incident, highlighting his initiative to engage directly with Jacob, perhaps seeking to resolve the crisis politically or commercially rather than facing the repercussions of Dinah's defilement.
• Hamor (חֲמוֹר, ḥamor): This Hebrew name means "donkey." In ancient Semitic cultures, names often carried significant meaning, sometimes reflective of characteristics. The "donkey" can symbolize stubbornness, labor, or a beast of burden. This might subtly foreshadow Hamor's stubborn pursuit of the marriage alliance, potentially becoming a pawn or a tool in the hands of Jacob's sons, leading to his and his people's ultimate destruction.
• the father of Shechem (אֲבִי שְׁכֶם, ʾavî Shechem): This identifies Hamor not just as an individual but as the patriarch and, implicitly, the authority figure of both his family and the city (as a prince). It underscores the connection to the one who committed the offense, establishing responsibility. Shechem (שְׁכֶם, Shekhem) itself means "shoulder" or "upper back," also the name of the city, indicating the son was named after the powerful city/clan he was part of.
• went out (וַיֵּצֵא, vayyēṣēʾ): A direct action verb indicating Hamor's deliberate step to leave his own abode or the city walls to approach Jacob's encampment. This was an act of diplomacy and potentially an overture of reconciliation or strategic alliance from his perspective. It signifies a willingness to engage, rather than avoiding the situation.
• to Jacob (אֶל־יַעֲקֹב, ʾel-yaʿaqōv): Designates the specific recipient of Hamor's visit. Jacob is recognized as the patriarch of Dinah and her brothers, holding the ultimate authority to discuss the matter. This direct approach signifies Hamor's respect for patriarchal structure and intent to negotiate with the head of the aggrieved family.
• to speak with him (לְדַבֵּר אִתּוֹ, leḏabēr ʾittô): This infinitive phrase reveals the purpose of Hamor's visit: to open a dialogue, to negotiate, to present his case, and perhaps to seek a peaceful resolution. "To speak" implies formal discourse, possibly involving terms of settlement or alliance. The phrase emphasizes communication as the immediate course of action rather than direct confrontation.

Genesis 34 6 Bonus section

The seemingly innocent diplomatic move by Hamor in Genesis 34:6 contrasts sharply with the deep internal anguish and vengeful plotting already underway among Jacob's sons, though unseen by Hamor. This creates dramatic irony where Hamor perceives himself as making a rational, respectful proposal, while the recipients harbor destructive intentions. The narrative subtly critiques pagan practices where seizing women might have been more common, and where an "outrageous thing" could potentially be papered over with material benefits like the "bride-price." For God's people, Dinah's defilement touched not just physical purity, but covenantal distinctiveness and familial integrity, issues Hamor, from his cultural perspective, may not have fully grasped.

Genesis 34 6 Commentary

Genesis 34:6 is a pivotal verse in the tragic narrative of Dinah's defilement and the subsequent retaliatory actions of Jacob's sons. It marks the commencement of official interaction between the Hivite leadership and Jacob's household after a grave offense against family honor. Hamor's initiative to "go out" and "speak" with Jacob indicates a desire for a diplomatic resolution, though his underlying motives may have included self-interest—to absorb Jacob's prosperous family into their tribal structure and gain control over their wealth and numbers through marriage.

Culturally, Hamor's immediate outreach to Jacob, as the father, was the customary step in such situations in the ancient Near East. It aimed to soothe the family's rage and avoid further conflict. However, this seemingly peaceful overture serves as the dramatic setup for the cunning deceit woven by Simeon and Levi, who saw the opportunity to exact a terrible revenge rather than accept restitution or intermarriage. Thus, what appears as an act of reconciliation becomes the unsuspecting prelude to betrayal and bloodshed. The verse is stark in its simplicity, setting the scene for profound theological and moral questions regarding justice, vengeance, and inter-ethnic relations, foreshadowing Israel's complex dealings with surrounding peoples.