Genesis 34:16

KJV

Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then will we give {H5414} our daughters {H1323} unto you, and we will take {H3947} your daughters {H1323} to us, and we will dwell {H3427} with you, and we will become one {H259} people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then we'll give our daughters to you, and we'll take your daughters for ourselves, and we'll live with you and become one people.

Berean Standard Bible

Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We will dwell among you and become one people.

American Standard Version

then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 34:16 records the deceptive proposal from Jacob's sons, primarily Simeon and Levi, to Hamor and Shechem. Outwardly offering intermarriage and unity—"Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people"—this seemingly gracious offer was, in fact, a calculated ruse. It served as a precondition for the circumcision of all Hivite males, a maneuver designed to incapacitate the city of Shechem and facilitate the sons' brutal vengeance for their sister Dinah's defilement.

### CONTEXT
Genesis 34:16 is situated within the grim narrative following the defilement of Dinah, Jacob's daughter, by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the Hivite prince. After this egregious act, Shechem developed an earnest affection for Dinah and, with his father Hamor, approached Jacob and his sons to propose a covenant of intermarriage and economic integration, aiming for their peoples to become "one" [Genesis 34:9](/genesis/34-9 "Hamor's proposal for unity"). However, Jacob's sons, particularly Simeon and Levi, were consumed by righteous indignation over their sister's dishonor. Their reply in [Genesis 34:16](/genesis/34-16 "Jacob's sons' deceptive proposal"), offering to exchange daughters and dwell together, was not a genuine acceptance of Hamor's terms but a cunning and vengeful trap, predicated on the condition that all Hivite males undergo circumcision, which they tragically accepted.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 34:16 records the deceptive response of Jacob's sons to Hamor and Shechem, a pivotal moment in their elaborate scheme for vengeance. The verse outlines a seemingly benevolent proposal for intermarriage and communal integration, mirroring the Hivites' own desire for unity. However, the intent behind these words was far from genuine, serving as a calculated pretense to facilitate a brutal reprisal.

The proposal is articulated in several clauses, each designed to convey a sense of mutual benefit and lasting peace:
* **"Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us"**: This clause proposes reciprocal intermarriage, a traditional method for forging alliances and integrating families and tribes in the ancient Near East. On the surface, it suggests a complete merger of the two peoples, signifying trust and a shared future.
* **"and we will dwell with you"**: This indicates a willingness to live alongside the Hivites, implying shared territory, resources, and daily life. It speaks to a cessation of hostilities and the establishment of a peaceful, co-existent relationship.
* **"and we will become one people"**: This culminating phrase, translating the Hebrew _v'hayinu l'am echad_ (וְהָיִינוּ לְעַם אֶחָד), is the ultimate expression of unity and assimilation. The term _echad_ (אֶחָד) denotes a singular, unified entity, emphasizing not merely coexistence but a complete merging of identities and destinies. For the Hivites, this promised a powerful alliance and economic prosperity. For Jacob's sons, however, it was the deceptive bait, a hollow promise used to disarm their unsuspecting victims and set the stage for their violent retribution. The very concept of "one people" was twisted from a vision of harmony into a tool of destruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **The Sinfulness of Deception and Treachery:** The primary theme is the profound moral failure of Jacob's sons. Their words of unity and intermarriage in [Genesis 34:16](/genesis/34-16 "The sons' deceptive proposal") are a calculated veil for their murderous intent, demonstrating how deceit, even when born from understandable anger, is an abomination before God [Proverbs 12:22](/proverbs/12-22 "Lying lips are an abomination"). This act highlights the destructive power of dishonesty in human relations.
* **The Peril of Uncontrolled Vengeance:** While Dinah's defilement was a grave injustice, the sons' extreme and deceptive retaliation brought further bloodshed and shame upon their family, ultimately earning Jacob's condemnation [Genesis 49:5-7](/genesis/49-5-7 "Jacob's curse on Simeon and Levi"). This narrative powerfully illustrates that human vengeance often escalates conflict and leads to greater sin, contrasting sharply with the divine principle of leaving vengeance to God [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord").
* **Covenant Identity and Intermarriage:** The proposed intermarriage, though used deceptively here, foreshadows later Mosaic prohibitions against marrying outside the covenant community [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3-4 "Do not intermarry with them"). While the sons' motive was not the preservation of Israelite identity but vengeance, the narrative implicitly touches on the complexities of maintaining distinct spiritual and cultural boundaries in a pagan world.
* **The Contrast Between Outward Appearance and Inward Intent:** The verse perfectly encapsulates the disparity between the sons' spoken words of peace and their true, violent intentions. This serves as a theological reminder that God judges the heart and motives, not merely outward actions or words [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart").

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage serves as a sobering cautionary tale for believers today, emphasizing the critical importance of integrity and the destructive consequences of unchecked anger and deceit. It compels us to examine our own motives, particularly when dealing with perceived wrongs or adversaries. While righteous indignation against injustice is valid, resorting to cunning and violence, as Jacob's sons did, invariably leads to greater sin and further sorrow, rather than true resolution or justice. We are called to pursue peace and truth in all our dealings [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness"), understanding that true reconciliation and lasting unity cannot be built on a foundation of lies or vengeful acts. Instead, we are to trust God for justice and respond with love and forgiveness, even when wronged, reflecting Christ's example.

### FAQ
**Why did Jacob's sons resort to such extreme deception and violence?**

Answer: Jacob's sons, particularly Simeon and Levi, were consumed by intense rage and a sense of profound dishonor over the defilement of their sister Dinah. In their cultural context, such an act was a grave insult to the family's honor. Their extreme response was driven by a desire for vengeance, which they executed through a cunning and brutal scheme, rather than seeking a just or peaceful resolution.

**Does the Bible condone the actions of Jacob's sons in this chapter?**

Answer: No, the Bible does not condone the actions of Jacob's sons. While it narrates their deeds, it does so descriptively, not prescriptively. Jacob himself later condemns Simeon and Levi for their cruelty and violence in his dying blessing [Genesis 49:5-7](/genesis/49-5-7 "Jacob's curse on Simeon and Levi"), indicating divine disapproval. The narrative serves as a warning against the destructive nature of unchecked anger and vengeance, rather than an endorsement of their methods.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 34:16, with its themes of deceptive promises, broken unity, and violent vengeance, stands in stark contrast to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While Jacob's sons feigned unity to enact destruction, Christ offers genuine reconciliation and true unity through His atoning sacrifice. He is the ultimate peacemaker who disarms hostility not through deceit or violence, but by breaking down the dividing wall of sin through His own body on the cross [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Christ is our peace"). Unlike the sons' false promise to "become one people" for malicious ends, Christ truly unites all who believe in Him into one body, the Church, where there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "No longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free in Christ"). His kingdom is founded on truth, justice, and self-sacrificial love, offering a complete antithesis to the deceit and bloodshed witnessed in Shechem.

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.