Genesis 34:20

KJV

And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Hamor {H2544} and Shechem {H7927} his son {H1121} came {H935} unto the gate {H8179} of their city {H5892}, and communed {H1696} with the men {H582} of their city {H5892}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

Hamor and Sh'khem his son came to the entrance of their city and spoke with its leading men:

Berean Standard Bible

So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate of their city and addressed the men of their city:

American Standard Version

And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 34:20](/genesis/34-20 "The Public Appeal of Hamor and Shechem") describes Hamor and Shechem, father and son, presenting their proposed agreement with Jacob's family to the men of their city at the city gate. This seemingly innocent act is a pivotal moment leading to a tragic outcome, highlighting themes of deception, greed, and violent retribution that ripple throughout the chapter.

### CONTEXT
This verse is part of the somber narrative in [Genesis 34](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/34 "The Defilement of Dinah and the Massacre of Shechem"), which begins with [the defilement of Dinah](/genesis/34-2 "Dinah's Defilement by Shechem"), Jacob's daughter, by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the Hivite prince of the land. Following this, Hamor and Shechem sought to integrate with Jacob's family through marriage, proposing a union between Dinah and Shechem, and broader intermarriage between their peoples. However, Jacob's sons, particularly Simeon and Levi, responded with a cunning and vengeful plan. They feigned agreement, demanding that all the males of Hamor's city be circumcised as a condition for intermarriage, a deceptive proposal outlined in [Genesis 34:13-17](/genesis/34-13 "The Deceptive Proposal of Jacob's Sons"). [Genesis 34:20](/genesis/34-20 "Hamor and Shechem at the City Gate") shows Hamor and Shechem now attempting to persuade their own people to agree to this painful and risky requirement, unaware of the sinister plot that would lead to [the subsequent violent massacre](/genesis/34-25 "The Massacre of Shechem's Men") of their city's men and [Jacob's strong disapproval](/genesis/34-30 "Jacob's Disapproval of His Sons' Actions").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 34:20](/genesis/34-20 "Hamor and Shechem's Public Appeal") depicts Hamor and Shechem taking their case to the public forum of their city. The phrase "came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city" signifies a formal, public address aimed at convincing the community to accept a significant proposal. This was not a casual conversation but a deliberate attempt to gain communal consent for a pact they believed would bring prosperity.

* **The City Gate as a Public Forum:** In the ancient Near East, the city gate was far more than an entrance; it was the central hub for public life. It served as the courthouse, marketplace, and assembly point for communal decision-making. Hamor and Shechem's discussion "with the men of their city" at the gate underscores the public and official nature of their appeal, indicating that the proposed intermarriage and circumcision required the consensus of the entire male population.

* **Deceptive Negotiations and Naivety:** The verse highlights the tragic naivety of Hamor and Shechem. They genuinely believe they are presenting a beneficial proposition to their people, focusing on the potential for wealth and expansion by uniting with Jacob's prosperous family, as explicitly stated in [Genesis 34:23](/genesis/34-23 "The Motivation of Material Gain"). They are entirely oblivious to the murderous intent harbored by Jacob's sons, making their persuasive efforts a prelude to their own undoing. Their lack of discernment in assessing the true motives behind Jacob's sons' demands proves fatal.

* **The Lure of Material Gain:** Hamor and Shechem emphasize the material benefits of the proposed alliance—the wealth, flocks, and possessions of Jacob's family—as a primary incentive for their people to undergo circumcision. This focus on material gain over moral discernment or spiritual integrity ultimately blinds them and their community to the imminent danger, leading them to accept a condition that would prove disastrous.

* **Linguistic Insight: "Communed" (דָּבַר, _dabar_):** The Hebrew word translated "communed" is *dabar* (דָּבַר), meaning "to speak," "to declare," or "to converse." Here, it signifies a formal public address or discussion, emphasizing that Hamor and Shechem were not merely chatting but were engaged in a serious and deliberate effort to convince their fellow citizens to accept the terms proposed by Jacob's sons. It implies a weighty discussion, a presentation of arguments, and an attempt to persuade.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **The Peril of Worldly Wisdom:** Hamor and Shechem's appeal to their city's men is based purely on pragmatic, material gain, illustrating the danger of making significant decisions based solely on worldly advantages without spiritual discernment.
* **The Cycle of Sin and Retribution:** This verse is a critical step in a chain reaction of sin—from Dinah's defilement to the deceptive covenant proposal and ultimately the massacre—demonstrating how one act of sin can trigger a devastating cycle of violence and tragedy.
* **Covenant and Deception:** The narrative starkly contrasts a genuine covenant (like God's with Abraham) with a deceptive one, highlighting the perversion of sacred rites (circumcision) for malicious ends.
* **Moral Ambiguity in the Covenant Line:** The actions of Jacob's sons, though part of the chosen family, reveal deep moral failings, reminding us that even those within God's covenant can succumb to sin and violence, underscoring the need for divine grace and redemption.
* **The Consequences of Undiscerning Trust:** The men of Shechem, swayed by the promise of wealth and integration, place their trust in a proposal without discerning the true, malevolent intentions behind it, illustrating the tragic consequences of a lack of spiritual and practical wisdom.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 34:20](/genesis/34-20 "Lessons from Hamor and Shechem") serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless principles for our lives. It cautions against the grave dangers of deception, illustrating how even seemingly justified anger can lead to horrifying consequences and warning against allowing bitterness or a desire for revenge to dictate one's actions. The men of Shechem were swayed by the promise of wealth without discerning the true, sinister motives of Jacob's sons, underscoring the critical importance of seeking wisdom and spiritual discernment in all agreements and relationships, rather than being solely driven by perceived material advantage. Ultimately, the entire chapter, from Dinah's defilement to the massacre, demonstrates a chilling chain reaction of sin and its devastating repercussions, impacting entire families and communities, highlighting how one act of sin can trigger a destructive cycle of violence and tragedy that echoes through generations.

### FAQ
**Why did Hamor and Shechem so readily agree to the circumcision, a painful and culturally significant act?**

Answer: Hamor and Shechem, along with the men of their city, were primarily motivated by the perceived material and social benefits of the proposed alliance with Jacob's prosperous family. [Genesis 34:23](/genesis/34-23 "The Lure of Material Gain") explicitly states their reasoning: "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." They saw the circumcision as a small price to pay for integrating with a wealthy and numerous clan, expanding their own influence and possessions. They were tragically naive to the deceptive intent of Jacob's sons, blinded by the lure of worldly gain.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of [Genesis 34:20](/genesis/34-20 "Christ's Fulfillment in Genesis 34") and the events that follow vividly illustrate humanity's deep brokenness, the destructive power of sin, and the failure of human-devised solutions—whether through vengeance or deceptive covenants—to bring true peace or justice. In stark contrast to the false and ultimately murderous covenant proposed by Jacob's sons, Christ establishes a new covenant, not based on human cunning or material gain, but on His own sacrificial love and truth. He is the ultimate fulfillment of true peace and reconciliation, breaking the cycle of sin and violence that plagued humanity. Where human wisdom and self-interest led to massacre, Christ offers genuine atonement and a path to righteousness, demonstrating the discernment and integrity that were tragically absent in Shechem, and ultimately providing the only true solution to the pervasive sin and brokenness depicted in this dark chapter.

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.