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Genesis 34:14 "We cannot do such a thing," they said. "To give our sister to an uncircumcised man would be a disgrace to us.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 34:14 "We cannot do such a thing," they said. "To give our sister to an uncircumcised man would be a disgrace to us.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/34-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/01_Gen_34_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 34:14 - The Revenge of Dinah's Brothers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="We cannot do such a thing, they said. 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That would be a disgrace to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/34.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They said to them, “We couldn’t possibly allow this, because you’re not circumcised. It would be a disgrace for our sister to marry a man like you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/34.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They said to them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a disgrace to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/34.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“We cannot do such a thing,” they said. “To give our sister to an uncircumcised man would be a disgrace to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/34.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that <i>were</i> a reproach unto us:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/34.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And they said to them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that <i>would be</i> a reproach to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/34.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They said to them, “We cannot do this thing, <i>that is,</i> give our sister to a man who is uncircumcised, for that would be a disgrace to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/34.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They said to them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a disgrace to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/34.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they said to them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a disgrace to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/34.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they said to them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a reproach to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/34.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They said to them, “We cannot do this thing and give our sister [in marriage] to one who is not circumcised, because that would be a disgrace to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/34.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“We cannot do this thing,” they said to them. “Giving our sister to an uncircumcised man is a disgrace to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/34.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />We cannot do this thing,” they said to them. “Giving our sister to an uncircumcised man is a disgrace to us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/34.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/34.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So they tricked them by saying: You're not circumcised! It would be a disgrace for us to let you marry Dinah now. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/34.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/34.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They said, "We can't do this. We can't give our sister to a man who is uncircumcised. That would be a disgrace to us!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/34.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They said to him, "We cannot let our sister marry a man who is not circumcised; that would be a disgrace for us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/34.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They told them, "We can't do this. We can't give our sister to a man who isn't circumcised, because that would be insulting to us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/34.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?We cannot do such a thing,? they said. ?To give our sister to an uncircumcised man would be a disgrace to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/34.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They said to them, "We cannot give our sister to a man who is not circumcised, for it would be a disgrace to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/34.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And said to them, "We can?t do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised; for that would be a disgrace to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/34.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they said to them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised: for that would be a reproach to us:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/34.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and said to them, “We can’t do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised; for that is a reproach to us. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/34.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and say to them, “We are not able to do this thing, to give our sister to one who has a foreskin, for it [is] a reproach to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/34.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and say unto them, 'We are not able to do this thing, to give our sister to one who hath a foreskin: for it is a reproach to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/34.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will say to them, We shall not be able to do this word, to give our sister to a man which to him is uncircumcision; for this a reproach to us.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/34.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />We cannot do what you demand, nor give our sister to one that is uncircumcised, which with us is unlawful and abominable. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/34.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“We are not able to do what you ask, nor to give our sister to an uncircumcised man. For us, this is unlawful and abominable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/34.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They said to them, “We are not able to do this thing: to give our sister to an uncircumcised man. For that would be a disgrace for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/34.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They said to them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a disgrace to us.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/34.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they said to them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to a man who is uncircumcised; for that would be a reproach to us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/34.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they said, “We cannot do this thing to give our sister to a man that has foreskin, because that is a reproach to us:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/34.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and said unto them: 'We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/34.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Symeon and Levi, the brothers of Dina, said to them, We shall not be able to do this thing, to give our sister to a man who is uncircumcised, for it is a reproach to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/34-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=8595" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/34.htm">The Revenge of Dinah's Brothers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13</span>But because Shechem had defiled their sister Dinah, Jacob’s sons answered him and his father Hamor deceitfully. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“We cannot</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: nū·ḵal (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: la·‘ă·śō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">do</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">such</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·dā·ḇār (Art:: N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">a thing,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they said.</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: lā·ṯêṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">“To give</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/269.htm" title="269: ’ă·ḥō·ṯê·nū (N-fsc:: 1cp) -- Sister. Irregular feminine of 'ach; a sister (like 'Ezrachiy), literally and figuratively).">our sister</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: lə·’îš (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/6190.htm" title="6190: ‘ā·rə·lāh (N-fs) -- Foreskin. Feminine of arel; the prepuce.">an uncircumcised man</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2781.htm" title="2781: ḥer·pāh (N-fs) -- A reproach. From charaph. contumely, disgrace, the pudenda.">would be a disgrace</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">to us.</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>We will consent to this on one condition, that you become circumcised like us—every one of your males.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-3.htm">Deuteronomy 7:3-4</a></span><br />Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, / because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-16.htm">Exodus 34:16</a></span><br />And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/23-12.htm">Joshua 23:12-13</a></span><br />For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them, / know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14-17</a></span><br />Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/20-26.htm">Leviticus 20:26</a></span><br />You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1-2</a></span><br />King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/13-25.htm">Nehemiah 13:25-27</a></span><br />I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves! / Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin. / Must we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/14-3.htm">Judges 14:3</a></span><br />But his father and mother replied, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me, for she is pleasing to my eyes.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-39.htm">1 Corinthians 7:39</a></span><br />A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/14-2.htm">Deuteronomy 14:2</a></span><br />for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a></span><br />But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/9-12.htm">Ezra 9:12</a></span><br />Now, therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Never seek their peace or prosperity, so that you may be strong and may eat the good things of the land, leaving it as an inheritance to your sons forever.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-2.htm">2 Corinthians 11:2</a></span><br />I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a></span><br />Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-2.htm">Leviticus 19:2</a></span><br />“Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they said to them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach to us:</p><p class="hdg">uncircumcised.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/17-11.htm">Genesis 17:11</a></b></br> And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2-9</a></b></br> At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/14-6.htm">1 Samuel 14:6</a></b></br> And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for <i>there is</i> no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/28-4.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/genesis/21-4.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/genesis/21-4.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/genesis/30-23.htm">Disgrace</a> <a href="/genesis/17-25.htm">Foreskin</a> <a href="/genesis/24-40.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/genesis/30-23.htm">Reproach</a> <a href="/genesis/30-23.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/genesis/34-13.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/genesis/17-14.htm">Uncircumcised</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/41-14.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/genesis/34-15.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/genesis/34-17.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-17.htm">Disgrace</a> <a href="/exodus/4-25.htm">Foreskin</a> <a href="/exodus/6-30.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-23.htm">Reproach</a> <a href="/genesis/38-23.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/genesis/34-17.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/exodus/6-12.htm">Uncircumcised</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 34</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/34-1.htm">Dinah is ravished by Shechem.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/34-4.htm">He requests to marry her.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/34-13.htm">The sons of Jacob offer the condition of circumcision to the Shechemites.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/34-20.htm">Hamor and Shechem persuade them to accept it.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/34-25.htm">The sons of Jacob upon that advantage slay them, and spoil their city.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/34-30.htm">Jacob reproves Simeon and Levi.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the context of ancient Israel, certain actions were considered unacceptable due to the covenant relationship with God. The refusal indicates a commitment to uphold the family’s honor and religious principles, which were deeply intertwined with their identity as God's chosen people.<p><b>they said.</b><br>The speakers here are the sons of Jacob, specifically Simeon and Levi, who are responding to Shechem's proposal. Their collective voice signifies unity in their decision, emphasizing the importance of family consensus in matters of honor and religious observance. This also highlights the patriarchal structure of the family, where male members often made crucial decisions.<p><b>To give our sister to an uncircumcised man</b><br>Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants (<a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Genesis 17:10-14</a>). It was a physical mark of belonging to God's people and a commitment to His laws. Marrying an uncircumcised man would mean aligning with those outside the covenant, which was seen as a violation of their religious and cultural identity. This phrase underscores the importance of maintaining purity and separation from pagan practices.<p><b>would be a disgrace to us.</b><br>The term "disgrace" indicates a profound sense of shame and dishonor that would result from such an action. In the cultural context of the time, honor and shame were pivotal social values. The disgrace mentioned here is not only personal but communal, affecting the entire family and their standing before God and among other tribes. This reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness and the call for God's people to be set apart (<a href="/leviticus/20-26.htm">Leviticus 20:26</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/dinah.htm">Dinah</a></b><br>The daughter of Jacob and Leah, whose encounter with Shechem sets the stage for the events in <a href="/bsb/genesis/34.htm">Genesis 34</a>.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a></b><br>A Hivite prince who defiles Dinah and seeks to marry her, prompting the response from her brothers.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The patriarch of the family, father of Dinah, and a central figure in the account.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/simeon_and_levi.htm">Simeon and Levi</a></b><br>Sons of Jacob and Leah, who respond to Shechem's actions with deceit and violence.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/h/hamor.htm">Hamor</a></b><br>Father of Shechem, who negotiates with Jacob's family for Dinah's marriage to his son.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_and_spiritual_identity.htm">Cultural and Spiritual Identity</a></b><br>The insistence on circumcision reflects the importance of maintaining a distinct cultural and spiritual identity as God's chosen people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_compromise.htm">The Consequences of Compromise</a></b><br>The account warns against the dangers of compromising one's faith and values for the sake of social or political alliances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/righteous_indignation_vs._vengeance.htm">Righteous Indignation vs. Vengeance</a></b><br>While the brothers' anger is understandable, their response highlights the need for righteous indignation to be tempered with justice and mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_family_leadership.htm">The Role of Family Leadership</a></b><br>Jacob's passive response contrasts with his sons' aggressive actions, prompting reflection on the role of family leadership in addressing moral and spiritual challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_covenant_faithfulness.htm">The Importance of Covenant Faithfulness</a></b><br>The emphasis on circumcision underscores the broader theme of faithfulness to God's covenant and commands.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_34.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 34</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_christians_in_govt.htm">What does the Bible say about Christians in government?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_esau's_wives_differ_in_genesis.htm">In Genesis 36:2-3, Esau's wives differ from those mentioned in Genesis 26:34 and 28:9--why the discrepancy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_non-righteous_nations_rise_fall.htm">Proverbs 14:34: How do we explain the rise and fall of nations that show little adherence to righteous or biblical principles?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_we_talk_to_the_deceased.htm">What defines the Moral Majority?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/34-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“We cannot</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do</span><br /><span class="heb">לַעֲשׂוֹת֙</span> <span class="translit">(la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">such</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a thing,”</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדָּבָ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(had·dā·ḇār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they said.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“To give</span><br /><span class="heb">לָתֵת֙</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ṯêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our sister</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲחֹתֵ֔נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḥō·ṯê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_269.htm">Strong's 269: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sister -- a sister</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">ל֣וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">an uncircumcised man</span><br /><span class="heb">עָרְלָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·rə·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6190.htm">Strong's 6190: </a> </span><span class="str2">The prepuce</span><br /><br /><span class="word">would be a disgrace</span><br /><span class="heb">חֶרְפָּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḥer·pāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2781.htm">Strong's 2781: </a> </span><span class="str2">Contumely, disgrace, the pudenda</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to us.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָֽנוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/34-14.htm">Genesis 34:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/34-14.htm">Genesis 34:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/34-14.htm">Genesis 34:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/34-14.htm">Genesis 34:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/34-14.htm">Genesis 34:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/34-14.htm">Genesis 34:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/34-14.htm">Genesis 34:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/34-14.htm">Genesis 34:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/34-14.htm">Genesis 34:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/34-14.htm">Genesis 34:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/34-14.htm">OT Law: Genesis 34:14 And said to them We can't do (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/34-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 34:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 34:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/34-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 34:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 34:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>