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 records the deceptive proposal made by Jacob's sons to the Hivites of Shechem, specifically Hamor and his son Shechem, following Shechem's defilement of Dinah. In this verse, the sons feign consent to intermarriage and unity, but only on the condition that every male among the Shechemites be circumcised, a demand intended not for genuine assimilation but as a cunning ploy for vengeance.

### CONTEXT
Following the defilement of Dinah by Shechem, the son of Hamor ([Genesis 34:2](/genesis/34-2 "Dinah's defilement")), the Hivites proposed intermarriage and economic unity with Jacob's clan. The sons of Jacob, particularly Simeon and Levi, were deeply enraged by the profound dishonor brought upon their sister and family. Their response, as articulated in this verse, was a cunning and cruel feint. They appeared to agree to the union, but only on one condition: "If ye will be as we [be], that every male of you be circumcised" ([Genesis 34:15](/genesis/34-15 "Jacob's sons' deceptive proposal")). This demand, seemingly a religious and cultural assimilation, was in fact a strategic ploy for vengeance, designed to incapacitate the Shechemite men before a retaliatory strike.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 34:15 presents the core of the sons of Jacob's duplicitous strategy. Their words, "But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we [be], that every male of you be circumcised," are framed as a condition for peace and integration, yet they harbor a sinister intent. The phrase "If ye will be as we [be]" implies a demand for full cultural and religious conformity, specifically through the rite of circumcision.

This demand for circumcision was a profound manipulation of a sacred covenant sign. Circumcision, from the time of Abraham, was the physical mark of God's covenant with His chosen people, signifying their identity, purity, and commitment to Him ([Genesis 17:10](/genesis/17-10 "Covenant of circumcision")). By requiring it, Jacob's sons presented themselves as upholding their religious heritage, while simultaneously twisting its holy purpose into a tool for their violent scheme. The Hebrew word for "circumcised" is *mul* (מָלָל), meaning "to cut off," which in this context ironically foreshadows the violent cutting off of the Shechemite men by the sword. The sons exploited the vulnerability that would follow the procedure, planning their attack for the third day when the men would be in the most pain and least able to defend themselves ([Genesis 34:25](/genesis/34-25 "Simeon and Levi's attack")). This verse, therefore, is not merely a condition, but the calculated first step in a plan of extreme vengeance that would ultimately bring distress upon Jacob's household ([Genesis 34:30](/genesis/34-30 "Jacob's rebuke of Simeon and Levi")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Deception and the Misuse of Sacred Rites:** The primary theme is the sons' calculated use of circumcision, a holy sign of the Abrahamic covenant, as a tool for deceit and a prelude to violent revenge. Their words mask a deep-seated desire for retribution, highlighting the destructive potential of unbridled anger and the perversion of spiritual practices for ungodly ends.
* **The Weight of Family Honor:** The narrative reflects the intense value placed on family honor in ancient Near Eastern cultures. Dinah's defilement was seen as a profound insult to their entire lineage, compelling the sons to seek retribution. However, their method demonstrates that even righteous indignation can lead to sinful and excessive actions.
* **Consequences of Sin and Vengeance:** This verse sets in motion a chain of events demonstrating the far-reaching and often destructive consequences of sin, both the initial sin of Shechem and the subsequent vengeful sin of Jacob's sons. It foreshadows Jacob's later condemnation of Simeon and Levi's violent anger ([Genesis 49:5-7](/genesis/49-5-7 "Jacob's prophecy concerning Simeon and Levi")).
* **Human Depravity and Divine Sovereignty:** Even amidst human sin, deception, and violence, the narrative implicitly points to God's continued, though often unseen, work in preserving His covenant people and guiding His plan, despite the flawed actions of individuals within that lineage.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 34:15 serves as a potent cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing anger and a desire for revenge to dictate one's actions. It vividly illustrates how sacred rituals or beliefs can be cynically exploited for personal gain or malicious intent, rather than being upheld in their true spirit of reverence and integrity. For believers today, this passage underscores the imperative to act with truthfulness and to uphold the sanctity of spiritual practices, remembering that God judges motives as well as actions. It calls us to resist the temptation to use religious or moral principles as a cover for unrighteous anger or selfish ambition, instead pursuing justice through righteous means and seeking reconciliation rather than retribution.

### 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 deceptive ploy. They knew that the procedure would render the men of Shechem vulnerable and incapacitated during the recovery period, allowing Simeon and Levi to easily attack and exact their vengeance for Dinah's defilement.

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

Answer: The text 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 of 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 also condemn their fierce anger and cruelty ([Genesis 49:5-7](/genesis/49-5-7 "Jacob's prophecy concerning Simeon and Levi")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The perversion of a sacred sign for deceptive and violent ends in Genesis 34:15 stands in stark contrast to the true fulfillment found in Christ. While Jacob's sons manipulated circumcision for a bloody, earthly vengeance, Christ established a new covenant, not by a physical cutting, but by the spiritual circumcision of the heart ([Romans 2:29](/romans/2-29 "Circumcision of the heart"); [Colossians 2:11](/colossians/2-11 "Spiritual circumcision")). He did not come to exact vengeance but to offer forgiveness, bearing the full wrath of God for sin on the cross. His sacrifice fulfills the true intent of the covenant, offering reconciliation and peace, 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, demonstrating a path fundamentally opposed to the vengeful 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.