Genesis 49:6

KJV

O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.

KJV (with Strong's)

O my soul {H5315}, come {H935} not thou into their secret {H5475}; unto their assembly {H6951}, mine honour {H3519}, be not thou united {H3161}: for in their anger {H639} they slew {H2026} a man {H376}, and in their selfwill {H7522} they digged down {H6131} a wall {H7794}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let me not enter their council, let my honor not be connected with their people; for in their anger they killed men, and at their whim they maimed cattle.

Berean Standard Bible

May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For they kill men in their anger, and hamstring oxen on a whim.

American Standard Version

O my soul, come not thou into their council; Unto their assembly, my glory, be not thou united; For in their anger they slew a man, And in their self-will they hocked an ox.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 49:6 records Jacob's fervent condemnation of his sons Simeon and Levi, expressing his profound desire to disassociate himself and his honor from their violent and deceitful actions in Shechem. Driven by unrestrained anger and self-will, they perpetrated a massacre, leading Jacob to denounce their counsel and assembly as abhorrent and destructive.

### CONTEXT
The specific incident Jacob refers to here is detailed in [Genesis chapter 34](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/34 "The Defilement of Dinah and the Vengeance of Simeon and Levi"). After their sister Dinah was defiled by Shechem, the son of Hamor, Simeon and Levi, in a deceptive act of revenge, orchestrated the slaughter of all the males in the city of Shechem after they had agreed to be circumcised. This act was marked by extreme cruelty and deceit, going far beyond what Jacob deemed just or honorable, deeply grieving their father and bringing disrepute upon his household.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
In this powerful declaration, Jacob emphatically distances himself from the past actions of Simeon and Levi, revealing his deep anguish and moral revulsion.

He begins with a personal plea: "O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united."
* The term "secret" (Hebrew *sod*, סוֹד) refers to a confidential counsel, a close circle, or even a conspiracy. Jacob desires no part in their malicious plotting or their hidden agenda.
* "Assembly" (Hebrew *qahal*, קָהָל) signifies their gathering or congregation, emphasizing that even their collective action was abhorrent to him. Jacob's plea, "mine honour, be not thou united," underscores his profound desire to protect his dignity, reputation, and inner being (Hebrew *kabod*, כָּבוֹד) from being stained by their deeds. He sought a complete moral and spiritual separation from their violent enterprise.

Jacob then provides the reason for his condemnation: "for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall."
* "In their anger they slew a man" directly refers to the massacre of the male inhabitants of Shechem, highlighting that their actions were driven by uncontrolled wrath rather than righteous judgment or divine command.
* The phrase "in their selfwill they digged down a wall" is subject to varied interpretations. It could literally mean they destroyed a city wall, symbolizing their complete devastation of Shechem and its societal structures. Alternatively, some scholars suggest "wall" (שׁוֹר, *shor*) can relate to "ox," implying they hamstrung oxen, symbolizing wanton destruction of livelihood or the breaking of strength and order within a community. The KJV's "selfwill" (רָצוֹן, *ratzon*) emphasizes that their actions were born not out of divine guidance or justice, but from their own unbridled desire and stubborn determination, leading to disproportionate and unjust violence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Disassociation from Sin:** Jacob's emphatic declaration highlights the biblical imperative to separate oneself from wicked schemes and destructive company, safeguarding one's spiritual and moral integrity, even when the perpetrators are family.
* **Condemnation of Uncontrolled Anger:** The verse serves as a stark warning against allowing unchecked emotions and "selfwill" to lead to sin, brutality, and devastating consequences, emphasizing that even righteous indignation can be corrupted by human sinfulness.
* **Consequences of Sin:** Unlike the blessings pronounced on other sons, Simeon and Levi receive a curse, which foreshadows the later dispersion of their tribes within Israel, as prophesied in [Genesis 49:7](/genesis/49-7 "Jacob's Prophecy of Dispersion for Simeon and Levi"), demonstrating that sinful actions have lasting repercussions.
* **Integrity and Honor:** Jacob's plea underscores the profound value of maintaining personal integrity and a good name, refusing to be tarnished by the sins of others, especially when those actions compromise one's moral standing before God and humanity.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 49:6 serves as a timeless reminder of the destructive power of uncontrolled wrath and self-serving ambition. It teaches us the critical importance of discerning companionship, urging caution about who we align with, especially when plans involve deceit or violence, as [Proverbs 4:14-15](/proverbs/4-14 "Avoid the Path of the Wicked") warns us to avoid the path of the wicked. While anger can be a natural human emotion, allowing it to fester and lead to "selfwill" can result in devastating consequences for oneself and others. Our actions reflect on our character and our "honor," making it crucial to maintain a clear conscience and separate ourselves from evil for spiritual and moral well-being. This verse powerfully highlights that even when wronged, our response must be tempered by justice, wisdom, and God's principles, not by vengeful passion.

### FAQ
**Why does Jacob condemn his sons so strongly, especially after they avenged their sister?**

Answer: Jacob's condemnation stems from the extreme cruelty, deceit, and disproportionate violence of Simeon and Levi's actions, which went far beyond justice. While Dinah's defilement was a grave wrong, their response involved a treacherous massacre that violated covenant principles (circumcision) and brought dishonor upon Jacob's family and God's name, rather than seeking a just resolution. Jacob recognized that their actions were driven by personal "anger" and "selfwill," not by divine righteousness, and thus brought a curse rather than a blessing upon their future.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 49:6, though a condemnation, points to Christ by highlighting the perfect righteousness and integrity that Jacob yearned for but could not fully embody. Christ perfectly embodies the "honor" and "soul" that Jacob sought to keep untainted; He never allowed anger or self-will to lead Him to sin, even when subjected to the greatest injustices. Instead, Jesus perfectly fulfilled God's righteous judgment against sin through His sacrifice, offering a path for humanity to be separated from the "secret counsel" of evil and united with His perfect righteousness. Believers are called to emulate Christ's separation from sin and His pursuit of righteousness, walking in His Spirit rather than in the self-will of the flesh, finding their true honor and identity in Him.

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.