CINXE.COM
Genesis 34:17 But if you will not agree to be circumcised, then we will take our sister and go."
<!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 34:17 But if you will not agree to be circumcised, then we will take our sister and go."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/34-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/01_Gen_34_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 34:17 - The Revenge of Dinah's Brothers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But if you will not agree to be circumcised, then we will take our sister and go." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/34-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/34-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/34.htm">Chapter 34</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/34-16.htm" title="Genesis 34:16">◄</a> Genesis 34:17 <a href="/genesis/34-18.htm" title="Genesis 34:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/34.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/34.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But if you will not agree to be circumcised, we’ll take our sister and go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/34.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But if you don’t agree to be circumcised, we will take her and be on our way.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/34.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter, and we will be gone.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/34.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you will not agree to be circumcised, then we will take our sister and go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/34.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/34.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But if you will not heed us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and be gone.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/34.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you do not listen to us to be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/34.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“But if you will not listen to us to be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/34.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But if you will not listen to us to be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/34.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But if you will not listen to us to be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/34.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But if you do not listen to us <i>and</i> refuse to be circumcised, then we will take our daughter [Dinah] and go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/34.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/34.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and go.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/34.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/34.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But if you don't agree to be circumcised, we'll take Dinah and leave this place. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/34.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/34.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If you won't agree to be circumcised, we'll take our daughter and go."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/34.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But if you will not accept our terms and be circumcised, we will take her and leave." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/34.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But if you won't listen to us, then we're going to take our daughter and leave." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/34.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you will not agree to be circumcised, then we will take our sister and go.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/34.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But if you do not agree to our terms by being circumcised, then we will take our sister and depart." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/34.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and go away."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/34.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But if ye will not hearken to us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/34.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then we will take our sister, and we will be gone.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/34.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and if you do not listen to us to be circumcised, then we have taken our daughter, and have gone.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/34.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and if ye hearken not unto us to be circumcised, then we have taken our daughter, and have gone.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/34.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And if ye will not listen to us to be circumcised, and we will take out daughter and depart.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/34.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But if you will not be circumcised, we will take our daughter and depart: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/34.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But if you will not be circumcised, we will take our daughter and withdraw.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/34.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But if you do not listen to us and be circumcised, we will take our daughter and go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/34.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and be gone.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/34.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But if you will not hearken to us, to be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and we will be gone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/34.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if you do not listen to us to circumcise, we will take our daughters and we will go.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/34.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/34.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But if ye will not hearken to us to be circumcised, we will take our daughter and depart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/34-17.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=8619" 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">16</span>Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We will dwell among you and become one people. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">But if</a> <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.">you will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: ṯiš·mə·‘ū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">agree</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lê·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4135.htm" title="4135: lə·him·mō·wl (Prep-l:: V-Nifal-Inf) -- To circumcise. A primitive root; to cut short, i.e. Curtail; by implication, to blunt; figuratively, to destroy.">to be circumcised,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: wə·lā·qaḥ·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cp) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">then we will take</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/1323.htm" title="1323: bit·tê·nū (N-fsc:: 1cp) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter.">our sister</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: wə·hā·lā·ḵə·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">and go.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>Their offer seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem.…<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="/genesis/17-14.htm">Genesis 17:14</a></span><br />But if any male is not circumcised, he will be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-48.htm">Exodus 12:48</a></span><br />If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in the household must be circumcised; then he may come near to celebrate it, and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/12-3.htm">Leviticus 12:3</a></span><br />And on the eighth day the flesh of the boy’s foreskin is to be circumcised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2-9</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again.” / So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth. / Now this is why Joshua circumcised them: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of war—had died on the journey in the wilderness after they had left Egypt. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-25.htm">1 Samuel 18:25-27</a></span><br />Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king desires no other dowry but a hundred Philistine foreskins as revenge on his enemies.’” But Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines. / When the servants reported these terms to David, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the wedding day arrived, / David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented them as payment in full to become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave his daughter Michal to David in marriage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/3-14.htm">2 Samuel 3:14</a></span><br />Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife, Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred Philistine foreskins.”<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/13-23.htm">Nehemiah 13:23-27</a></span><br />In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. / Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah. / 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! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-7.htm">Ezekiel 44:7-9</a></span><br />In addition to all your other abominations, you brought in foreigners uncircumcised in both heart and flesh to occupy My sanctuary; you defiled My temple when you offered My food—the fat and the blood; you broke My covenant. / And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’ / This is what the Lord GOD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh may enter My sanctuary—not even a foreigner who lives among the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Acts 15:1</a></span><br />Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-5.htm">Acts 15:5</a></span><br />But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and declared, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-24.htm">Acts 15:24</a></span><br />It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Romans 2:25-29</a></span><br />Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. / If a man who is not circumcised keeps the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? / The one who is physically uncircumcised yet keeps the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-18.htm">1 Corinthians 7:18-19</a></span><br />Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man still uncircumcised when called? He should not be circumcised. / Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/2-3.htm">Galatians 2:3-5</a></span><br />Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. / This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. / We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But if you will not listen to us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/17-17.htm">Agree</a> <a href="/genesis/34-15.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/genesis/34-14.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/genesis/34-8.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/genesis/27-43.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/genesis/34-14.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/genesis/21-4.htm">Undergo</a> <a href="/genesis/34-16.htm">We'll</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/34-22.htm">Agree</a> <a href="/genesis/34-22.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/genesis/34-22.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/genesis/34-19.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/genesis/34-24.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/genesis/34-27.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/exodus/21-20.htm">Undergo</a> <a href="/genesis/37-20.htm">We'll</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/34.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/34.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But if you will not agree to be circumcised</b><br>This phrase reflects the demand made by Jacob's sons to the men of Shechem. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham (<a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Genesis 17:10-14</a>). It was a physical mark of belonging to God's chosen people, Israel. The demand for circumcision here is not for spiritual reasons but as a pretext for the deceitful plan of Simeon and Levi. This reflects the tension between the Israelites and the surrounding Canaanite cultures, who did not practice circumcision. The demand also highlights the importance of covenantal identity and separation from pagan practices.<p><b>then we will take our sister and go.</b><br>This phrase indicates the ultimatum given by Jacob's sons. Dinah, their sister, had been defiled by Shechem, and her brothers sought to protect her honor and the family's integrity. The cultural context of the time placed a high value on family honor and purity, especially concerning women. The phrase underscores the seriousness of the situation and the brothers' determination to rectify the wrong done to Dinah. It also foreshadows the violent actions that Simeon and Levi would take, which would later have significant consequences for Jacob's family (<a href="/genesis/49-5.htm">Genesis 49:5-7</a>). The mention of "our sister" emphasizes familial loyalty and the protective role of brothers in ancient Near Eastern societies.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a></b><br>A city in the land of Canaan, significant in biblical history as a place of covenant and conflict.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/dinah.htm">Dinah</a></b><br>The daughter of Jacob and Leah, whose defilement by Shechem, the son of Hamor, sets off the events in this chapter.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelite tribes, 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 take a leading role in the response to Dinah's defilement.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/circumcision.htm">Circumcision</a></b><br>A covenantal sign given to Abraham and his descendants, here used as a condition for intermarriage with the Hivites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_covenantal_identity.htm">The Importance of Covenantal Identity</a></b><br>The demand for circumcision underscores the importance of maintaining a distinct identity as God's people. Believers today are called to uphold their identity in Christ amidst a secular world.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_compromise.htm">The Consequences of Compromise</a></b><br>The account warns against making compromises with the world that can lead to spiritual and moral downfall. Christians are encouraged to stand firm in their faith and values.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/righteous_anger_and_justice.htm">Righteous Anger and Justice</a></b><br>Simeon and Levi's response, though extreme, reflects a desire for justice. Believers must seek justice in a manner that aligns with God's righteousness and love.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/family_and_community_responsibility.htm">Family and Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The brothers' actions highlight the responsibility of family and community in protecting and upholding the dignity of their members. Christians are called to support and protect one another in love.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_deception.htm">The Role of Deception</a></b><br>The use of deception by Jacob's sons serves as a cautionary tale about the ethical implications of deceit, even when seeking justice. Believers are reminded to pursue truth and integrity.<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/does_colossians_2_11-12_contradict_genesis_17.htm">Colossians 2:11-12 teaches a spiritual circumcision; does this contradict the everlasting covenant of physical circumcision in Genesis 17?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_require_circumcision.htm">Why would an all-powerful God require the physical sign of circumcision, and does this practice have non-biblical parallels (Genesis 17:10)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_circumcision_needed_(gen_17_10_vs_gal_5_6).htm">Is circumcision necessary? (Genesis 17:10 vs. Galatians 5:6)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_dispensation_of_promise.htm">What is the Dispensation of Promise?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/34-17.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">But if</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִם־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you will not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֧א</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">agree</span><br /><span class="heb">תִשְׁמְע֛וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯiš·mə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to be circumcised,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהִמּ֑וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(lə·him·mō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4135.htm">Strong's 4135: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut short, curtail, to blunt, to destroy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">then we will take</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלָקַ֥חְנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lā·qaḥ·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our sister</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּתֵּ֖נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(bit·tê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1323.htm">Strong's 1323: </a> </span><span class="str2">A daughter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and go.”</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָלָֽכְנוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·lā·ḵə·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/34-17.htm">Genesis 34:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/34-17.htm">Genesis 34:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/34-17.htm">Genesis 34:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/34-17.htm">Genesis 34:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/34-17.htm">Genesis 34:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/34-17.htm">Genesis 34:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/34-17.htm">Genesis 34:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/34-17.htm">Genesis 34:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/34-17.htm">Genesis 34:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/34-17.htm">Genesis 34:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/34-17.htm">OT Law: Genesis 34:17 But if you will not listen (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/34-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 34:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 34:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/34-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 34:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 34:18" /></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>