Genesis 34:30

KJV

And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I [being] few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jacob {H3290} said {H559} to Simeon {H8095} and Levi {H3878}, Ye have troubled {H5916} me to make me to stink {H887} among the inhabitants {H3427} of the land {H776}, among the Canaanites {H3669} and the Perizzites {H6522}: and I being few {H4962} in number {H4557}, they shall gather themselves together {H622} against me, and slay me {H5221}; and I shall be destroyed {H8045}, I and my house {H1004}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Ya'akov said to Shim'on and Levi, "You have caused me trouble by making me stink in the opinion of the local inhabitants, the Kena'ani and the P'rizi. Since I don't have many people, they'll align themselves together against me and attack me; and I will be destroyed, I and my household."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble upon me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people of this land. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.”

American Standard Version

And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me, to make me odious to the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and, I being few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and smite me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 34:30 captures Jacob's profound distress and pragmatic fear following the brutal and deceitful massacre of the men of Shechem by his sons, Simeon and Levi. He laments that their violent actions have rendered his family utterly abhorrent and vulnerable among the indigenous inhabitants of the land, specifically the powerful Canaanites and Perizzites. Jacob, acutely aware of his household's small number, foresees a coordinated retaliatory attack that could lead to the complete annihilation of his family and lineage, jeopardizing the very covenant promises of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the shocking and morally ambiguous events of [Genesis 34](/genesis/34 "The Defilement of Dinah and the Massacre at Shechem"). Dinah, Jacob's daughter, was raped by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the Hivite prince. While Hamor and Shechem sought to make amends through marriage and integration, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's full brothers, devised a treacherous plan. They demanded that all the males of Shechem be circumcised as a condition for intermarriage. On the third day, while the men of Shechem were in pain, Simeon and Levi entered the city, slaughtered every male, plundered the city, and took their sister Dinah and other women and children captive. Jacob's reaction in [Genesis 34:30](/genesis/34-30 "Jacob's Fear After the Shechem Massacre") is his first direct response to his sons' extreme violence, highlighting his immediate concern for the practical consequences rather than an overt moral condemnation, which comes later in [Genesis 49](/genesis/49 "Jacob's Blessings and Prophecies").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jacob's family, though growing, was still a relatively small, nomadic clan dwelling as sojourners in the land of Canaan. This land was already inhabited by various established peoples, including the Canaanites and Perizzites, who were distinct ethnic and political entities. Maintaining peaceful relations with these larger, more powerful indigenous groups was crucial for the survival and security of Jacob's household. The act of slaughtering an entire city, even in response to a grave offense, was an extreme violation of inter-clan and inter-tribal norms, inviting severe retaliation. Such an act would have been seen as an act of war, making Jacob's family a legitimate target for vengeance from surrounding communities who would perceive them as a dangerous and unpredictable threat. The fear of being "few in number" was a very real concern for a vulnerable group in a region where alliances and numerical strength dictated survival.
* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 34:30](/genesis/34-30 "Jacob's Fear and the Consequences of Violence") contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader narrative of Genesis. It underscores the **consequences of human sin and unchecked vengeance**, demonstrating how even a justified desire for retribution can lead to disproportionate and dangerous outcomes that imperil the innocent. It highlights the **precariousness of the patriarch's position** as he strives to protect his family and ensure the continuity of the covenant line in a hostile environment, a theme seen also in Abraham's interactions with the Canaanites in [Genesis 13:7](/genesis/13-7 "Strife Between Abraham and Lot's Herdsmen"). Furthermore, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **divine protection amidst human folly**, as subsequent events in [Genesis 35:5](/genesis/35-5 "God's Terror on Surrounding Cities") reveal God's intervention to prevent the very disaster Jacob feared, emphasizing that the ultimate security of the covenant people rests not in their own strength or cunning, but in God's sovereign hand.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Troubled (Hebrew, _ʻâkar'_):** Jacob states, "Ye have troubled me." The Hebrew word _ʻâkar_ signifies a deep disturbance, a roiling or stirring up, often implying a state of distress, affliction, or bringing trouble upon someone. It suggests that Simeon and Levi's actions have not merely inconvenienced Jacob but have profoundly unsettled his peace and jeopardized his entire existence, creating a turbulent and dangerous situation for his household.
* **Stink (Hebrew, _bâʼash'_):** Jacob laments, "to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land." The Hebrew verb _bâʼash_ literally means "to smell bad" or "to become foul." Figuratively, as used here, it powerfully conveys the idea of becoming utterly abhorrent, detestable, or odious in the eyes of others. It implies a profound moral and social disgrace that would incite intense revulsion and hostility, making Jacob's family a legitimate target for violent retribution.
* **Few (Hebrew, _math'_ and _miçpâr'_):** Jacob describes himself as "few in number." The word _math_ (H4962) refers to an adult or man, often used in the plural to denote a small group of people. It is reinforced by _miçpâr_ (H4557), which means "number" or "count," often implying a limited or small quantity. Together, these terms emphasize Jacob's acute awareness of his family's numerical inferiority compared to the surrounding populations, highlighting their extreme vulnerability to attack.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi":** This direct address singles out the two sons primarily responsible for the massacre, indicating Jacob's clear understanding of their culpability and his immediate confrontation with them. It highlights the gravity of their actions and Jacob's personal distress.
* **"Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites":** Jacob expresses his profound dismay, stating that his sons' actions have made his family utterly detestable and repugnant to the surrounding peoples. The naming of the "Canaanites and the Perizzites" underscores his awareness of the specific, powerful, and potentially hostile groups with whom they now have a grievously broken relationship, posing an immediate threat to their safety and reputation.
* **"and I [being] few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house":** This clause reveals the core of Jacob's fear: his family's numerical inferiority makes them an easy target for a united retaliatory attack. He foresees complete annihilation, not just of himself, but of his entire household, which represents the continuity of his lineage and the covenant promises God had made to him. This is a desperate cry born of a realistic assessment of their perilous situation.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey Jacob's profound distress. **Hyperbole** is evident in Jacob's declaration that his family will "stink" among the inhabitants, an exaggerated expression of their utter detestability and the extreme social and moral revulsion they have incurred. This vivid imagery emphasizes the severity of their tarnished reputation. Additionally, there is strong **Foreshadowing** in Jacob's fear of annihilation. While God providentially prevents this immediate disaster (as seen in [Genesis 35:5](/genesis/35-5 "God's Terror on Surrounding Cities")), Jacob's words also foreshadow the later dispersion and diminished tribal inheritances of Simeon and Levi, which Jacob prophesies in [Genesis 49:5-7](/genesis/49-5-7 "Jacob's Prophecy Against Simeon and Levi"), linking their future fate to their violent actions in Shechem.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 34:30 powerfully illustrates the far-reaching and often destructive consequences of human sin, particularly when driven by uncontrolled anger and vengeance. While the initial offense against Dinah was heinous, Simeon and Levi's disproportionate and deceitful retribution created an even greater existential threat to Jacob's entire family, demonstrating that human attempts at justice, when unguided by divine wisdom, can lead to deeper peril and dishonor. Jacob's fear underscores the immense responsibility of a patriarch to protect his family and ensure the continuity of the covenant line, a burden he keenly feels in this moment of extreme vulnerability. Yet, the broader narrative reminds us that even amidst human folly and fear, God's providential care for His covenant people remains steadfast.

* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham")
* [Genesis 35:5](/genesis/35-5 "God's Terror on Surrounding Cities")
* [Genesis 49:5-7](/genesis/49-5-7 "Jacob's Prophecy for Simeon and Levi")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 34:30 serves as a stark reminder of the profound and often unintended consequences of our actions, especially those born of unchecked emotion like anger or a desire for vengeance. Jacob's lament highlights that our decisions can have devastating ripple effects, not only on ourselves but also on our families, communities, and the witness we bear. It challenges us to consider the long-term implications of our responses to injustice, urging prudence, wisdom, and a reliance on God's righteous judgment rather than our own impulsive retribution. For believers, this passage underscores the importance of seeking justice through means that honor God, recognizing that unbridled retaliation can bring greater dishonor to His name and imperil those we are called to protect. Ultimately, it encourages us to cultivate a spirit of forgiveness and to trust in God's sovereign protection, even when circumstances seem dire, remembering that true security and vindication are found in His faithfulness, not in human strength or cunning.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when I or someone I love has been wronged? Do my reactions align with biblical principles of justice and love?**
* **What are the potential "ripple effects" of my choices, especially those made in anger or distress, on my family, community, or reputation?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater trust in God's providential care, even when I feel vulnerable or "few in number" in challenging circumstances?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to take matters into my own hands rather than waiting on God's timing and method for justice?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jacob more concerned about his family's safety than the moral implications of his sons' actions?**

Answer: Jacob's immediate reaction in [Genesis 34:30](/genesis/34-30 "Jacob's Fear") primarily reflects a pragmatic and existential concern for the survival of his entire household. As a sojourner "few in number" in a hostile land, the massacre of Shechem's males by Simeon and Levi posed an imminent threat of annihilation, making his family "stink" (odious) to the powerful surrounding tribes. While Jacob undoubtedly understood the moral implications of their deceit and violence, his most pressing fear was the immediate danger to the covenant line. His deeper moral condemnation of their actions is more explicitly expressed later in his life, during his patriarchal blessings in [Genesis 49:5-7](/genesis/49-5-7 "Jacob's Curse on Simeon and Levi's Anger"), where he denounces their cruel anger and prophesies their dispersion.

**What does the phrase "make me to stink" signify in this context?**

Answer: The KJV phrase "make me to stink" is a direct and vivid translation of the Hebrew verb _bâʼash_ (בָּאַשׁ), which literally means "to become foul," "to be abhorrent," or "to emit a bad odor." In [Genesis 34:30](/genesis/34-30 "Meaning of 'Stink'"), it powerfully conveys the idea of becoming utterly detestable, repugnant, and morally disgraced in the eyes of others. It implies not just a bad reputation, but a profound social and moral revulsion that would incite anger, hostility, and a desire for violent retribution from the surrounding Canaanites and Perizzites, making Jacob's family a legitimate target for their wrath and a source of deep dishonor.

**How does this event relate to Jacob's later prophecies concerning Simeon and Levi?**

Answer: The violent actions of Simeon and Levi in [Genesis 34](/genesis/34 "The Defilement of Dinah and Its Aftermath") and Jacob's immediate fear in [Genesis 34:30](/genesis/34-30 "Jacob's Reaction") directly foreshadow Jacob's prophetic words in [Genesis 49:5-7](/genesis/49-5-7 "Jacob's Prophecy for Simeon and Levi"). In his deathbed blessings, Jacob condemns Simeon and Levi's "instruments of cruelty," stating, "Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel." He prophesies their dispersion: "I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel." This demonstrates that Jacob's initial fear was not just pragmatic but also rooted in a deep moral disapproval that had lasting spiritual and territorial consequences for the future tribal inheritances of Simeon and Levi, highlighting God's ultimate justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Genesis 34:30](/genesis/34-30 "Jacob's Fear and the Need for Divine Protection") vividly portrays the destructive consequences of human sin, vengeance, and the precariousness of life without divine intervention, it implicitly points to humanity's desperate need for a true deliverer and a perfect mediator. Jacob's profound fear of annihilation underscores the vulnerability of humanity under the curse of sin, where even attempts at justice can lead to greater chaos and the threat of complete destruction. Unlike Jacob's sons, whose actions brought the threat of destruction upon their own house, Christ, the ultimate Son of God, perfectly fulfills the role of a righteous avenger, not by human violence or deceit, but by bearing the full wrath of God against sin on the cross. He became "stink" (odious) in the eyes of God, taking on the full weight of our sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His perfect sacrifice, He secured true peace and reconciliation, establishing a new covenant people who are truly safe and reconciled, not by their own strength or vengeance, but by His perfect, atoning work. His kingdom is not built on the sword or human retribution, but on grace, offering a security and an inheritance far beyond what Jacob could ever achieve for his family ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Christ Our Peace")).

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.

Cross-References

Psalms 105:12

When they were [but] a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.

Joshua 7:25

And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.

Exodus 5:21

And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

1 Samuel 13:4

And all Israel heard say [that] Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and [that] Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.

1 Chronicles 19:6

¶ And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of Zobah.

Genesis 49:5

¶ Simeon and Levi [are] brethren; instruments of cruelty [are in] their habitations.

Genesis 49:7

Cursed [be] their anger, for [it was] fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.