Genesis 34:13

13 Then Jacob's sons gave Shechem and his father Hamor a misleading answer because he had dishonored their sister Dinah.

Genesis 34:13 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 34:13

And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor deceitfully,
&c.] Proposing the marriage of their sister on terms after mentioned, when they never intended it should ever be: Onkelos, Jonathan, and Jarchi interpret it, "with wisdom", as if they answered wisely and prudently, but the word is never used in a good sense; and if it was wisdom, it was carnal wisdom and wicked cunning, and was disapproved of by plain hearted Jacob:

and said:
or spoke in this deceitful manner:

because he had defiled Dinah their sister;
and therefore were filled with indignation at him, and fired with resentment against him, and vowed within themselves revenge upon him.

Genesis 34:13 In-Context

11 Then Shechem said to Dinah's father and her brothers, "Do me this favor. I'll give you whatever you ask.

12 Set the price I must pay for the bride and the gift I must give her as high as you want. I'll pay exactly what you tell me. Give me the girl as my wife."

13 Then Jacob's sons gave Shechem and his father Hamor a misleading answer because he had dishonored their sister Dinah.

14 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!

15 We will give our consent to you only on one condition: Every male must be circumcised as we are.