Genesis 34:18

KJV

¶ And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.

KJV (with Strong's)

And their words {H1697} pleased {H3190}{H5869} Hamor {H2544}, and Shechem {H7927} Hamor's {H2544} son {H1121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

What they said seemed fair to Hamor and Sh'khem the son of Hamor,

Berean Standard Bible

Their offer seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem.

American Standard Version

And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor’s son.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 34:18](/genesis/34-18 "The Acceptance of the Deceptive Proposal") marks a critical turning point in the tragic account of Dinah's defilement and the subsequent vengeful plot of Jacob's sons. This verse reveals the eager acceptance of a deceptive proposal by Hamor, the Hivite prince, and his son Shechem, who were blinded by perceived economic and political advantages, unwittingly setting the stage for a brutal and devastating act of retribution against their city.

### CONTEXT
This verse is situated within the immediate aftermath of Dinah, Jacob's daughter, being defiled by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the ruler of the land. Jacob's sons, particularly Simeon and Levi, were consumed with profound anger and indignation over this dishonor to their sister and family (as highlighted in [Genesis 34:7](/genesis/34-7 "The Indignation of Jacob's Sons")). When Hamor and Shechem approached Jacob to propose a marriage alliance and broader integration between their peoples, Jacob's sons, acting with cunning, presented a seemingly reasonable yet deeply deceptive condition: all males in Shechem's city must be circumcised. [Genesis 34:18](/genesis/34-18 "Hamor and Shechem's Agreement") underscores that "their words"—the manipulative terms offered by Jacob's sons—were readily pleasing to Hamor and Shechem, who viewed the arrangement as a lucrative opportunity for economic gain and strengthened alliances, believing they would acquire the wealth and livestock of Jacob's large family (as detailed in [Genesis 34:23](/genesis/34-23 "Shechem's Perceived Gain")). They remained entirely oblivious to the sinister and vengeful plot that festered in the hearts of Jacob's sons.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 34:18](/genesis/34-18 "The Deceptive Agreement") succinctly captures the moment of fatal agreement, stating, "And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son." This seemingly simple statement carries immense weight, revealing the immediate and uncritical acceptance of a proposal designed to facilitate a horrific act of vengeance.

* **Deception and Cunning:** The verse highlights the success of Jacob's sons' manipulative strategy. Hamor and Shechem were entirely taken in by the terms, failing to discern the underlying vengeful plot. Their eagerness to accept the proposal underscores a lack of spiritual discernment and an overreliance on worldly wisdom that proved to be their undoing.
* **Perceived Advantage and Blindness:** Hamor and Shechem's acceptance was driven by a shortsighted focus on material gain and political alliance. They believed the union would bring significant wealth and strengthen their position, as indicated by their later arguments to their own people in [Genesis 34:23](/genesis/34-23 "The Lure of Wealth for Shechem"). This desire for perceived advantage blinded them to the true intentions of Jacob's sons, leading them directly into a trap.
* **Linguistic Insight: "Pleased" (יָטַב - _yatav_):** The Hebrew word translated as "pleased" is *yatav* (יָטַב), which means "to be good, well, right, pleasing." In this context, it signifies that the terms presented by Jacob's sons appeared agreeable, beneficial, and morally acceptable from the perspective of Hamor and Shechem. They genuinely saw the proposal as a "good deal," not realizing it was a meticulously laid trap by those consumed by outrage and a desire for brutal retribution. This linguistic nuance emphasizes their complete lack of suspicion and their fatal misjudgment of the situation.
* **Setting the Stage for Vengeance:** This acceptance is the pivotal step that empowered Simeon and Levi to execute their brutal revenge upon the unsuspecting men of Shechem. It demonstrates how a seemingly innocuous agreement, based on deception, can become the catalyst for unspeakable violence, revealing the dark consequences of unchecked anger and a desire for retribution outside of God's justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **The Danger of Deception and Lack of Discernment:** The narrative powerfully illustrates the destructive power of deception and the tragic consequences for those who lack spiritual discernment, being swayed by perceived worldly benefits rather than seeking truth and integrity.
* **Human Vengeance vs. Divine Justice:** The actions of Jacob's sons stand in stark contrast to God's character and His methods of justice. This passage highlights the destructive and often disproportionate nature of human vengeance, which frequently leads to further sin and suffering rather than true reconciliation or righteous judgment.
* **The Corrupting Influence of Sin:** The entire narrative, culminating in the massacre, showcases the pervasive and corrupting influence of sin, from Shechem's initial defilement of Dinah to the extreme and unwarranted violence perpetrated by Jacob's sons.
* **The Consequences of Worldly Desires:** Hamor and Shechem's eagerness to accept the proposal, driven by a desire for wealth and power, serves as a cautionary tale about how worldly ambitions can blind individuals to imminent danger and lead to catastrophic outcomes.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic events surrounding [Genesis 34:18](/genesis/34-18 "The Deceptive Agreement") offer profound lessons for believers today. We are reminded of the critical importance of discernment, not allowing ourselves to be easily swayed by propositions that appear advantageous but lack integrity or are rooted in unrighteousness. This narrative serves as a stark warning against the destructive power of unrighteous anger and the pursuit of vengeance outside of God's will. For Christians, it underscores the call to seek wisdom from God ([Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "God Gives Wisdom")) and to respond to injustice with a spirit of grace and reconciliation, rather than resorting to violent or deceptive means. It challenges us to trust in God's ultimate justice and to live by principles of truth and love, even when faced with provocation, recognizing that true peace and resolution come through divine means, not human brutality.

### FAQ
**Why were Hamor and Shechem so easily deceived by Jacob's sons?**

Answer: Hamor and Shechem were easily deceived primarily because their judgment was clouded by the prospect of significant material and political gain. They saw the proposed alliance, including the circumcision requirement, as an opportunity to acquire the wealth and livestock of Jacob's large family and integrate them into their city, thereby strengthening their own position. Their focus on these perceived advantages blinded them to the underlying rage and vengeful intentions of Jacob's sons, preventing them from discerning the true, sinister motive behind the proposal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dark narrative of [Genesis 34:18](/genesis/34-18 "The Acceptance of Deception") and the ensuing massacre profoundly underscores humanity's desperate need for a righteous King and a perfect High Priest. While this passage does not directly prophesy Christ, it powerfully illustrates the brokenness of a world steeped in sin, where defilement leads to disproportionate vengeance, and human justice is marred by brutality and deception. In contrast to the vengeful actions of Simeon and Levi, who brought death and destruction, Jesus Christ embodies true justice tempered with mercy. He is the one who perfectly fulfills the Law, not through violence, but through His sacrificial death on the cross, providing true atonement for sin and offering reconciliation where there was only enmity. He is the ultimate Deliverer who redeems humanity from the cycle of sin and vengeance, establishing a kingdom of peace and righteousness that far transcends any earthly alliance or retribution.

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.