Dinah was then about fifteen or sixteen years of age when she went out to see the daughters of the land — Probably on some public day. She went to see; yet that was not all, she went to be seen too: she went to see the daughters of the land, but it may be with some thoughts of the sons of the land t... [ Continue Reading ]
It is called folly in Israel — According to the language of after — times, for Israel was not yet a people, but a family only.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hamor communed — That is, talked. He came to treat with Jacob himself, but he turns them over to his sons. And here we have a particular account of the treaty, in which it is a shame to say the Canaanites were more honest than the Israelites.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hamor and Shechem gave consent themselves to be circumcised. To this perhaps they were moved not only by the strong desire they had to bring about, this match, but by what they might have heard of the sacred and honourable intentions of this sign, in the family of Abraham, which it is probable they... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall not their cattle and their substance be ours? — They observed that Jacob's sons were industrious, thriving people, and promised themselves and their neighbours advantage by an alliance with them: it would improve ground and trade, and bring money into their country.... [ Continue Reading ]
They slew all the males — Nothing can excuse this execrable villainy. It was true Shechem had wrought folly in Israel, in defiling Dinah: but it ought to have been considered how far Dinah herself had been accessary to it. Had Shechem abused her in her mother's tent, it had been another matter; but... [ Continue Reading ]
Tho' Simeon and Levi only were the murderers, yet others of the sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city — And so became accessary to the murder.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye have troubled me, to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land — That is, You have rendered my family odious among them. And what could be expected but that the Canaanites, who were numerous and formidable, would confederate against him, and he and his little family would become an easy... [ Continue Reading ]
Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot? — No, he should not; but, if he do, Must they be their own avengers? And nothing less than so many lives, and the ruin of a whole city, serve to atone for the abuse.... [ Continue Reading ]