Genesis 34:21

KJV

These men [are] peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, [it is] large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

KJV (with Strong's)

These men {H582} are peaceable {H8003} with {H854} us; therefore let them dwell {H3427} in the land {H776}, and trade {H5503} therein; for the land {H776}, behold, it is large {H7342} enough {H3027} for them {H6440}; let us take {H3947} their daughters {H1323} to us for wives {H802}, and let us give {H5414} them our daughters {H1323}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"These people are peaceful toward us; therefore let them live in the land and do business in it; for, as you can see, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters as wives for ourselves, and we'll give them our daughters.

Berean Standard Bible

“These men are at peace with us. Let them live and trade in our land; indeed, it is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters in marriage and give our daughters to them.

American Standard Version

These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for, behold, the land is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 34:21 captures Hamor and Shechem's deceptive presentation of Jacob's sons' terms to their city, portraying Jacob's family as "peaceable" to secure intermarriage and trade. This verse, born from the defilement of Dinah and the subsequent vengeful plot by Simeon and Levi, highlights the Hivites' naivety and their willingness to compromise for perceived economic and social gain, setting the stage for the tragic massacre that follows.

### CONTEXT
This verse is embedded in the grim narrative of Genesis 34, which begins with the defilement of Dinah, Jacob's daughter, by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite. Following this egregious act, Shechem desired to marry Dinah, prompting Hamor to approach Jacob and his sons with a proposal for intermarriage and cohabitation between their peoples. Unbeknownst to Hamor and Shechem, Jacob's sons, particularly Simeon and Levi, were consumed by rage and had already devised a cunning, deceptive plan for retribution. Genesis 34:21 records Hamor and Shechem presenting the sons' deceitful terms—requiring all their men to be circumcised—to the people of their city. They cunningly portray Jacob's family as "peaceable" and emphasize the perceived benefits of integration and trade, making this proposal a pivotal moment leading directly to the violent retribution detailed in [Genesis 34:25](/genesis/34-25 "The massacre of Shechem").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Hamor and Shechem's address to their city's elders in [Genesis 34:21](/genesis/34-21 "Hamor and Shechem's deceptive proposal") is a masterclass in manipulation, unwittingly serving the vengeful aims of Jacob's sons.

* **"These men [are] peaceable with us"**: The Hebrew word translated "peaceable" is *shalem* (שָׁלֵם), meaning "complete," "whole," or "at peace." Hamor and Shechem assert that Jacob's family is harmless and well-intentioned, a profoundly ironic and tragic mischaracterization given the sons' seething anger and their elaborate plot for revenge. This statement underscores the Hivites' profound lack of discernment, as they are completely blind to the true, hostile intentions of Jacob's sons.
* **"therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein"**: The proposal quickly shifts to practical benefits. The phrase "trade therein" comes from the Hebrew word *sachar* (סָחָר), meaning "to traffic," "to go about," or "to trade." This highlights the commercial appeal of the proposition. Hamor and Shechem appeal to their community's self-interest, emphasizing the potential for increased trade and the availability of land. They suggest that Jacob's family would be a valuable asset, contributing to the city's prosperity, which ultimately blinds the men of Shechem to the underlying dangers. They further justify this by stating, **"for the land, behold, [it is] large enough for them"**: This reinforces the economic and territorial advantage, presenting the integration as mutually beneficial and without strain on resources. It's an argument designed to overcome any potential objections based on overcrowding or resource scarcity.
* **"let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters"**: This speaks to a desire for full integration and cultural assimilation, not just economic partnership. For the patriarchal family, strict separation from pagan practices and peoples was crucial to their covenant identity and spiritual purity, as seen in [Abraham's instructions regarding Isaac's marriage in Genesis 24:3](/genesis/24-3 "Abraham's instruction to not take a wife from the Canaanites"). This proposed intermarriage, though framed as beneficial for the Hivites, represented a serious spiritual compromise for Jacob's household, even if it was a deceptive ploy. The Hivites' willingness to intermarry, even to the point of undergoing circumcision, demonstrates their prioritization of perceived material and social gain over their own cultural and physical integrity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **The Deceptive Nature of Sin:** The entire narrative, culminating in this verse, illustrates the profound deceit orchestrated by Jacob's sons, which Hamor and Shechem unwittingly facilitate. It highlights how sin (Shechem's defilement of Dinah) begets further sin (the sons' vengeful deception), creating a destructive cycle.
* **The Danger of Worldly Expediency:** The men of Shechem were swayed by the promise of economic and social gain, willing to compromise their physical well-being (through circumcision) for perceived benefits. This demonstrates the danger of making decisions based solely on immediate advantage without considering deeper implications or potential hidden costs.
* **The Importance of Discernment:** The Hivites' naivety and their acceptance of Hamor and Shechem's presentation at face value underscore the critical need for discernment. Appearances can be misleading, and not everyone who presents themselves as "peaceable" or offers enticing opportunities has pure motives, echoing warnings like [2 Corinthians 11:14](/2_corinthians/11-14 "Satan disguising himself as an angel of light").
* **Covenant Purity and Separation:** The proposal of intermarriage, though a deceitful trap in this context, touches upon the broader biblical theme of God's people maintaining separation from pagan practices and peoples to preserve their covenant identity and spiritual purity. This narrative serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of assimilation when it compromises divine commands.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 34:21 serves as a profound cautionary tale for believers today. It reminds us that appearances can be deeply deceptive; not every offer of "peaceable" coexistence or advantageous partnership comes from pure motives. We are called to cultivate spiritual discernment, carefully evaluating proposals and relationships not merely by their apparent benefits—be they economic, social, or political—but by their underlying intentions and their alignment with God's truth and our spiritual integrity. The tragic outcome for the men of Shechem underscores the perils of prioritizing worldly expediency over wisdom and the potential for one act of sin to unleash a cascade of destructive consequences, urging us to seek God's guidance and uphold righteousness in all our dealings.

### FAQ
**Why did Hamor and Shechem so readily believe Jacob's sons were "peaceable"?**

Answer: Hamor and Shechem were primarily motivated by the desire to integrate Jacob's prosperous family into their city, seeing significant economic and social advantages in their wealth, livestock, and potential for intermarriage. Their focus on these material benefits, coupled with a lack of spiritual discernment, blinded them to the true intentions of Jacob's sons, who masterfully feigned a willingness to integrate while harboring vengeful motives.

**What was the significance of the proposed intermarriage for Jacob's family?**

Answer: For Jacob's family, the proposed intermarriage, though a deceptive maneuver by his sons, represented a significant spiritual concern. God had consistently called His covenant people to remain separate from the pagan inhabitants of Canaan to preserve their unique identity and prevent assimilation into idolatrous practices. While the sons used this as a ruse, genuine intermarriage would have posed a threat to the spiritual purity and distinctiveness of the nascent nation of Israel, a theme repeatedly addressed throughout the Old Testament.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Genesis 34, particularly the deception highlighted in [Genesis 34:21](/genesis/34-21 "Hamor and Shechem's deceptive proposal"), powerfully underscores humanity's deep-seated sinfulness, the pervasive nature of deceit, and the catastrophic consequences of unrighteous anger and revenge. In Christ, we find the ultimate answer to such brokenness. He is the true and perfect "peaceable" one, not through human manipulation or compromise, but through His divine nature and His atoning work on the cross, establishing genuine peace between God and humanity ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Christ is our peace")). Where human schemes lead to death and destruction, Christ offers life and reconciliation. His truth exposes all deception, and His sacrifice provides the only means to cleanse the heart from vengeful anger, offering forgiveness and grace that break the cycle of sin and its devastating ripple effects, leading us to true spiritual purity and genuine fellowship with God.

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.