Gen 34:12 | KD | STEP | When Jacob heard of the seduction of his daughter, “ he was silent, ” i.e., he remained quiet, without taking any active proceedings (ex. ; ) until his sons came from the field. When they heard of it, they were grieved and burned with wrath at the disgrace. טמּא to defile = to dishonour, disgrace, because it was an uncircumcised man who had seduced her. “ Because he had wrought folly in Israel, by lying with Jacob’s daughter .” “To work folly” was a standing phrase for crimes against the honour and calling of Israel as the people of God, especially for shameful sins of the flesh ( ; Jdg 20:10; , etc.); but it was also applied to other great sins ( ). As Jacob had become Israel, the seduction of his daughter was a crime against Israel, which is called folly, inasmuch as the relation of Israel to God was thereby ignored ( ). “ And this ought not to be done: ” יעשׂה potentialis as in Gen 20:9. - Hamor went to Jacob to ask for his daughter ( ); but Jacob’s sons reached home at the same time ( ), so that Hamor spoke to them (Jacob and his sons). To attain his object Hamor proposed a further intermarriage, unrestricted movement on their part in the land, and that they should dwell there, trade (ἐμπορεύεσθαι), and secure possessions (נאחז settle down securely, as in ). Shechem also offered ( , ) to give anything they might ask in the form of dowry (מהר not purchase-money, but the usual gift made to the bride, vid., ) and presents (for the brothers and mother), if they would only give him the damsel.

‏ Genesis 34:12

When Jacob heard of the seduction of his daughter, “he was silent,” i.e., he remained quiet, without taking any active proceedings (ex. Gen 14:14; 2Sa 19:11) until his sons came from the field. When they heard of it, they were grieved and burned with wrath at the disgrace. טמּא to defile = to dishonour, disgrace, because it was an uncircumcised man who had seduced her. “Because he had wrought folly in Israel, by lying with Jacob’s daughter.” “To work folly” was a standing phrase for crimes against the honour and calling of Israel as the people of God, especially for shameful sins of the flesh (Deu 22:21; Jdg 20:10; 2Sa 13:2, etc.); but it was also applied to other great sins (Jos 7:15). As Jacob had become Israel, the seduction of his daughter was a crime against Israel, which is called folly, inasmuch as the relation of Israel to God was thereby ignored (Psa 14:1). “And this ought not to be done:” יעשׂה potentialis as in Gen 20:9. - Hamor went to Jacob to ask for his daughter (Gen 34:6); but Jacob’s sons reached home at the same time (Gen 34:7), so that Hamor spoke to them (Jacob and his sons). To attain his object Hamor proposed a further intermarriage, unrestricted movement on their part in the land, and that they should dwell there, trade (ἐμπορεύεσθαι), and secure possessions (נאחז settle down securely, as in Gen 47:27). Shechem also offered (Gen 34:11, Gen 34:12) to give anything they might ask in the form of dowry (מהר not purchase-money, but the usual gift made to the bride, vid., Gen 24:53) and presents (for the brothers and mother), if they would only give him the damsel.