Genesis 34:15

KJV

But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we [be], that every male of you be circumcised;

KJV (with Strong's)

But in this {H2063} will we consent {H225} unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male {H2145} of you be circumcised {H4135};

Complete Jewish Bible

Only on this condition will we consent to what you are asking: that you become like us by having every male among you get circumcised.

Berean Standard Bible

We will consent to this on one condition, that you become circumcised like us—every one of your males.

American Standard Version

Only on this condition will we consent unto you: if ye will be as we are, that every male of you be circumcised;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 34:15 presents the cunning and deceptive proposal made by Jacob's sons to the Hivites of Shechem. Following the defilement of Dinah by Shechem, the sons feigned agreement to intermarriage and peaceful cohabitation, but only on the stringent condition that every male among the Shechemites undergo circumcision. This demand, cloaked in religious conformity, was not a genuine invitation to covenant relationship but a calculated and cruel stratagem designed to incapacitate the Shechemite men, paving the way for a brutal act of vengeance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the dramatic and tragic narrative of [Genesis 34](/genesis/34 "Genesis 34 - Dinah and the Shechemites"). It immediately follows the proposal from Hamor and Shechem for intermarriage and economic integration between their people and Jacob's family, a proposal made in an attempt to atone for Shechem's violation of Dinah [Genesis 34:8-10](/genesis/34-8-10 "Hamor and Shechem's proposal"). Jacob's sons, particularly Simeon and Levi, are presented as deeply offended and filled with righteous indignation, yet their response in this verse reveals a sinister duplicity. Their seemingly reasonable condition of circumcision sets the stage for the violent retaliation that unfolds in [Genesis 34:25-29](/genesis/34-25-29 "Simeon and Levi's slaughter of the Shechemites"), ultimately bringing distress upon Jacob and his household, as he laments in [Genesis 34:30](/genesis/34-30 "Jacob's rebuke of his sons").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, family honor was paramount, and the defilement of a daughter was a profound disgrace that demanded a response, often violent. Marriage alliances were also crucial for social stability and economic prosperity. Circumcision, while a unique covenant sign for Abraham's descendants since [Genesis 17](/genesis/17 "Genesis 17 - The Covenant of Circumcision"), was also practiced by some other cultures, though not universally or with the same theological significance. The Shechemites, eager for alliance and the wealth of Jacob's clan, would have understood the demand for circumcision as a significant, albeit painful, step towards full assimilation. However, they likely did not grasp the depth of the Jacob's sons' rage or the strategic vulnerability it would create, particularly the severe pain and immobility experienced on the third day after the procedure, a well-known ancient medical reality.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 34:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis. It highlights the theme of **deception**, a recurring motif in the patriarchal narratives, here used for malicious ends, contrasting sharply with God's covenant faithfulness. It underscores the **consequences of sin and unbridled vengeance**, showing how initial wrongdoing (Shechem's violation) can provoke an even greater, disproportionate evil (the sons' massacre). The narrative also touches on the **misuse of sacred rites**, as circumcision, a sign of covenant with God, is perverted into a tool for human treachery. Finally, it subtly foreshadows the **moral complexities and flaws within God's chosen family**, demonstrating that even those within the covenant lineage are capable of profound sin, yet God's sovereign plan continues despite human failings, as seen in Jacob's later prophetic words in [Genesis 49:5-7](/genesis/49-5-7 "Jacob's curse on Simeon and Levi").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **consent (Hebrew, _ʼûwth'_):** From H225, a primitive root meaning "to come," and by implication, "to assent." In this context, it signifies the sons' outward agreement or willingness to accept the Shechemites' proposal. However, the use of "consent" here is deeply ironic, as their true intention is not acceptance but annihilation, making their assent a calculated lie.
* **male (Hebrew, _zâkâr'_):** From H2145, properly meaning "remembered" or "noteworthy," referring to a male (of man or animals). This word specifically targets the segment of the population that would be capable of defending the city and perpetuating its lineage. The demand for every male to be circumcised ensures the complete incapacitation of the entire fighting force and the potential for future generations.
* **circumcised (Hebrew, _mûwl'_):** From H4135, a primitive root meaning "to cut short" or "curtail," specifically referring to the prepuce. By implication, it can also mean "to blunt" or "figuratively, to destroy." This word is central to the verse's deceptive nature. While outwardly presenting a demand for religious conformity, the sons' true intent was to exploit the physical vulnerability caused by the "cutting" of circumcision to facilitate the "destroying" of the Shechemite men.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But in this will we consent unto you:"** This opening clause immediately sets a conditional tone. The "this" refers to the Shechemites' proposal of intermarriage and peaceful cohabitation. The sons of Jacob outwardly express their "consent" or agreement, creating an impression of openness and willingness to negotiate. However, this consent is a facade, a strategic maneuver to gain the Shechemites' trust and lull them into a false sense of security, masking the deep-seated rage and vengeful plot brewing beneath their words.
* **"If ye will be as we [be],"** This phrase establishes the core condition for their consent: the Shechemites must become "like us." This implies a demand for cultural, social, and, most critically, religious assimilation. For Jacob's family, being "as we be" inherently meant being part of the Abrahamic covenant, marked by circumcision. The sons leverage this deeply significant identity marker as the non-negotiable prerequisite for any alliance, presenting it as a matter of integrity and shared identity, when in reality it is a means to an end.
* **"that every male of you be circumcised;"** This final clause specifies the precise and painful requirement. The demand that "every male" undergo the procedure highlights the comprehensive nature of their plan. It targets the entire male population, ensuring that no one is exempt from the debilitating effects of the operation. This seemingly religious demand is, in fact, the linchpin of their violent strategy, designed to render the Shechemite men utterly defenseless, setting the stage for the bloody massacre that follows.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Genesis 34:15 is **Irony**, specifically **dramatic irony**. The audience is aware of the sons' true, malicious intentions, while the characters (Hamor and Shechem) are tragically ignorant, believing the demand for circumcision to be a genuine condition for alliance and assimilation. This creates a sense of foreboding and tension. Furthermore, there is powerful **Foreshadowing** embedded in the word "circumcised." While literally meaning "to cut short," its broader implication of "to destroy" or "cut down" chillingly foreshadows the literal cutting down and destruction of the Shechemite males by the sword, turning a sacred rite of covenant into a profane instrument of death. The entire verse also functions as a profound act of **Deception**, where the outward appearance of negotiation and religious adherence completely conceals a murderous plot.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 34:15 stands as a stark biblical example of the perversion of a sacred sign and the destructive power of unbridled vengeance. The sons of Jacob cynically manipulate circumcision, a holy mark of God's covenant with Abraham, transforming it from a symbol of identity and blessing into a tool for deceit and a prelude to horrific violence. Their actions reveal a profound moral failure, demonstrating how even those within the covenant community can succumb to the destructive impulses of anger and a distorted sense of justice. This passage serves as a sobering reminder that outward religious observance, when devoid of genuine spiritual integrity and love, can be twisted to serve the darkest human intentions, leading to tragic consequences.

* [Genesis 17:10-14](/genesis/17-10-14 "The Covenant of Circumcision")
* [Proverbs 12:22](/proverbs/12-22 "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 34:15 offers a profound and unsettling lesson for believers today, challenging us to examine the motives behind our actions, especially those cloaked in religious or moral justifications. The sons of Jacob, driven by anger and a desire for retribution, twisted a sacred covenant sign into an instrument of deceit and violence. This passage compels us to consider how easily we might rationalize ungodly actions if they appear to serve a "righteous" cause or to uphold our honor. It underscores the critical importance of integrity, reminding us that God sees not only our outward actions but also the intentions of our hearts. We are called to pursue justice through righteous means, to speak truth, and to resist the temptation to use spiritual practices or principles as a cover for personal gain, anger, or vengeance. Instead, we are to embody the spirit of Christ, who sought reconciliation and forgiveness, even for His enemies, rather than retribution.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the misuse of a sacred rite in this passage challenge my understanding of religious practice and sincerity?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to rationalize actions driven by anger or self-interest under the guise of "doing what's right" or "upholding truth"?**
* **What does this story teach me about the long-term consequences of unbridled vengeance, both for the perpetrators and their community?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jacob's sons demand circumcision from the Shechemites?**

Answer: Jacob's sons demanded circumcision not out of a genuine desire for the Shechemites to join the covenant people of God, but as a strategic and deeply deceptive ploy. They understood that the physical procedure would render the men of Shechem vulnerable and incapacitated during the recovery period, particularly on the third day, allowing Simeon and Levi to easily attack and exact their vengeance for Dinah's defilement [Genesis 34:25](/genesis/34-25 "Simeon and Levi's attack").

**Was Jacob aware of his sons' true intentions when they made this proposal?**

Answer: The biblical text strongly implies that Jacob was not fully aware of the depth of his sons' vengeful plot at the time of this proposal. While he was distressed by Dinah's defilement, he later expresses strong disapproval and dismay over Simeon and Levi's violent actions, stating that they had "troubled" him and made him "stink among the inhabitants of the land" [Genesis 34:30](/genesis/34-30 "Jacob's reaction to his sons' actions"). His later prophetic words in [Genesis 49:5-7](/genesis/49-5-7 "Jacob's prophetic curse on Simeon and Levi") also condemn their fierce anger and cruelty, indicating his disapproval of their methods and the stain they brought upon his family's reputation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The perversion of a sacred sign for deceptive and violent ends in [Genesis 34:15](/genesis/34-15 "Genesis 34:15 - The Deceptive Proposal") stands in stark contrast to the true fulfillment found in Christ. While Jacob's sons manipulated physical circumcision for a bloody, earthly vengeance, Christ established a new covenant, not by a physical cutting of the flesh, but by the spiritual circumcision of the heart, a transformation wrought by the Holy Spirit [Romans 2:29](/romans/2-29 "Circumcision of the heart"); [Colossians 2:11-12](/colossians/2-11-12 "Spiritual circumcision in Christ"). He did not come to exact vengeance upon humanity for its sins, but to offer forgiveness, bearing the full wrath of God for sin on the cross [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "God demonstrates His love"); [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "Christ bore our sins"). His sacrifice fulfills the true intent of the covenant, offering reconciliation and peace between God and humanity, rather than promoting division and violence through deceit. In Christ, the call is not to external conformity for malicious ends, but to internal transformation and a life of love, truth, and genuine righteousness [Ephesians 4:22-24](/ephesians/4-22-24 "Put on the new self"), demonstrating a path fundamentally opposed to the vengeful and deceptive actions of Simeon and Levi.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Galatians 4:12

¶ Brethren, I beseech you, be as I [am]; for I [am] as ye [are]: ye have not injured me at all.