Genesis 34:10

And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein.

And ye shall dwell {H3427} with us: and the land {H776} shall be {H1961} before you {H6440}; dwell {H3427} and trade {H5503} ye therein, and get you possessions {H270} therein.

You will live with us, and the land will be available to you - you'll live, do business and acquire possessions here."

You may settle among us, and the land will be open to you. Live here, move about freely, and acquire your own property.”

And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein.

Commentary

Genesis 34:10 records the deceptive offer made by Hamor, the Hivite prince of Shechem, and his son Shechem, to Jacob and his sons. After Shechem had defiled Dinah, Jacob's daughter, this verse presents part of their proposal for reconciliation and integration, masking their true, sinister intentions.

Context of Genesis 34:10

This verse is set immediately after the traumatic event of Dinah's rape by Shechem (Genesis 34:2). Hamor and Shechem approach Jacob and his sons, not with genuine repentance, but with a strategic proposal designed to benefit themselves. Their offer to allow Jacob's family to "dwell with us" and to "trade" and "get possessions" in the land was part of a larger plan to intermarry and eventually absorb Jacob's considerable wealth and livestock (as revealed in Genesis 34:23). This proposal highlights the tension between Jacob's family, who represented God's chosen people with a distinct covenant, and the surrounding Canaanite inhabitants.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Deceptive Hospitality: The offer of land, trade, and peaceful coexistence appears generous, but it is fundamentally built on deceit. It underscores the danger of seemingly beneficial proposals that hide ulterior motives.
  • Economic Allure: The verse emphasizes the promise of prosperity, inviting Jacob's family to engage in profitable "trade" and accumulate "possessions." This highlights how material gain can be used as bait.
  • Integration vs. Separation: Hamor and Shechem's proposal aimed for full integration of Jacob's clan into their society through intermarriage and shared land. This stands in contrast to the principle of separation that God would later establish for Israel, protecting their unique identity and covenant relationship.
  • Land and Covenant: For Jacob's family, the land of Canaan was not merely a place for trade but the very inheritance promised by God to Abraham and his descendants (see Genesis 12:7). This human offer, though seemingly advantageous, was not aligned with the divine promise.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "dwell" (yashab) implies a permanent settlement, suggesting a desire for full assimilation. "Trade" (sachar) refers to commercial activity, indicating the potential for economic gain. "Possessions" (achuzzah) denotes landed property or an inheritance, emphasizing the material benefits offered. These terms collectively paint a picture of an enticing, yet ultimately manipulative, offer of stability and wealth.

Practical Application

Genesis 34:10 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of discernment. Not every open door or appealing opportunity is truly beneficial or divinely ordained. Believers are called to weigh offers and proposals against God's character and principles, understanding that worldly advantages can sometimes come with spiritual compromises or hidden dangers. It encourages us to look beyond immediate gains and consider the long-term implications and underlying intentions, always seeking God's wisdom in our decisions.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 42:34

    And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye [are] no spies, but [that] ye [are] true [men: so] will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.

  • Genesis 13:9

    [Is] not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if [thou wilt take] the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if [thou depart] to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

  • Genesis 47:27

    ¶ And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.

  • Genesis 20:15

    And Abimelech said, Behold, my land [is] before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.

  • Genesis 34:21

    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 34:23

    [Shall] not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs [be] ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.
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