Genesis 34:8

And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.

And Hamor {H2544} communed {H1696} with them, saying {H559}, The soul {H5315} of my son {H1121} Shechem {H7927} longeth {H2836} for your daughter {H1323}: I pray you give {H5414} her him to wife {H802}.

But Hamor said to them, "My son Sh'khem's heart is set on your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife;

But Hamor said to them, “My son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife.

And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you, give her unto him to wife.

Commentary

Genesis 34:8 KJV finds Hamor, the father of Shechem, attempting to formalize a marriage proposal for his son with Dinah, Jacob’s daughter. This verse is a critical point in a dramatic and troubling narrative, revealing the cultural clash and moral complexities surrounding Dinah's defilement.

Context

This verse immediately follows the account of Dinah being defiled by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the Hivite prince of the land. Hamor and Shechem approach Jacob and his sons with a seemingly conciliatory offer of marriage and intermarriage between their peoples. Their proposal is framed as a way to rectify the situation, though it largely overlooks the immense dishonor inflicted upon Jacob's family. This negotiation sets the stage for the deceptive response of Jacob's sons and the subsequent tragic events.

Key Themes

  • Desire vs. Righteousness: Shechem's "longing" is presented as the primary motivation for the marriage, attempting to legitimize an act of violence with a proposal that lacks genuine repentance. This highlights a profound disconnect between the Hivite understanding of relationships and the moral standards of Jacob's family.
  • Negotiation and Integration: Hamor's proposal was not just for Shechem and Dinah, but for broader intermarriage and trade, aiming to integrate Jacob's prosperous family into their society. This reflects a common ancient Near Eastern practice of forming alliances through marital ties.
  • Family Honor and Dishonor: For Jacob's family, Dinah's defilement was an unbearable shame that demanded more than a simple marriage proposal. The subsequent actions of Simeon and Levi underscore the extreme importance of family honor in that culture.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter" uses the Hebrew word chashaq (חָשַׁק) for "longeth." This term denotes a strong affection, a clinging desire, or being bound to something. While it can describe genuine love, here it follows a violent act, making its usage problematic. It suggests Shechem's intense personal desire, but conspicuously lacks any acknowledgment of the wrong he committed. The word "soul" (Hebrew: nephesh, נֶפֶשׁ) refers to the whole person, emphasizing that Shechem's entire being is consumed by this desire for Dinah, rather than a mere fleeting emotion.

Related Scriptures

The immediate narrative context is crucial for understanding this verse. It leads directly to the deceptive counter-proposal by Jacob's sons regarding circumcision and culminates in the brutal revenge taken by Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, against the city of Shechem.

Practical Application

Genesis 34:8 serves as a stark reminder of the consequences when desires are pursued without regard for consent, dignity, or moral boundaries. It highlights the complexities of justice and vengeance, and how attempts to rectify wrongs can sometimes exacerbate conflict if not rooted in genuine repentance and respect. For believers today, it underscores the importance of seeking God's wisdom in navigating difficult situations, prioritizing righteousness over convenience, and ensuring that all relationships are built on mutual respect and honor, not coercion or unaddressed sin.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 11:2 (2 votes)

    Of the nations [concerning] which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: [for] surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

  • Psalms 63:1 (1 votes)

    ¶ A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

  • Psalms 84:2 (1 votes)

    My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

  • Genesis 34:3 (1 votes)

    And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.

  • Psalms 119:20 (1 votes)

    ¶ My soul breaketh for the longing [that it hath] unto thy judgments at all times.