Genesis 34:9

9 and intermarry with us: give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves.

Genesis 34:9 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 34:9

And make ye marriages with us
There was no objection on their side, it lay on the other; Abraham's servant was charged by him not to take a wife of the Canaanites to his son Isaac; and the same charge was given Jacob by Isaac, ( Genesis 24:3 ) ( 28:1 ) ; and therefore Jacob would never agree that his children should marry any of that nation; and marriages with them were afterwards forbidden by the law of Moses, ( Deuteronomy 7:3 ) ;

[and] give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you;
for though at present there were no other daughters in Jacob's family, yet there might be hereafter; and the request is, that for the future there might be intermarriages between them, as would be practicable in a course of time.

Genesis 34:9 In-Context

7 just as Ya'akov's sons were coming in from the field. When they heard what had happened, the men were saddened and were very angry at the outrage this man had committed against Isra'el by raping Ya'akov's daughter, something that is simply not done.

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

9 and intermarry with us: give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves.

10 You will live with us, and the land will be available to you - you'll live, do business and acquire possessions here."

11 Then Sh'khem said to her father and brothers, "Only accept me, and I will give whatever you tell me.