Bereshis 34:12

12 Ask me never so much mohar (bride price, dowry) and mattan (gift), and I will pay according as ye shall say unto me; but give me the na’arah as isha.

Bereshis 34:12 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 34:12

Ask me never so much dowry and gift
Or "multiply [them] exceedingly" ^F9, fix them at as high a rate as may be thought fit; the "dowry" was what a man gave to a woman at her marriage; for in those times and countries, instead of a man having a portion with his wife, as with us in our times, he gave one to his wife, or to her parents for her; and especially in after times this was used, and became a law in Israel, in the case of a vitiated virgin, see ( Exodus 22:16 Exodus 22:17 ) ; and "the gift" was either of jewels and clothes to the women, or of such like precious things to her brethren and friends, see ( Genesis 24:53 ) ;

and I will give according as ye shall say unto me;
determine among yourselves whatever shall be the dowry and gift, and it shall be punctually observed:

but give me the damsel to wife;
only agree to that, and I care not what is required of me.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 (dam-zbrh) "multiplicate super me admodum", Drusius, Schmidt.

Bereshis 34:12 In-Context

10 And ye shall dwell with us; and HaAretz shall be before you; dwell and trade therein, and get you possessions therein.

11 And Shechem said unto her av and unto her achim, Let me find chen (grace) in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give.

12 Ask me never so much mohar (bride price, dowry) and mattan (gift), and I will pay according as ye shall say unto me; but give me the na’arah as isha.

13 And the Bnei Ya’akov answered Shechem and Chamor aviv in mirmar (deceit) and spoke because he had made Dinah their achot tameh;

14 And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give achoteinu (our sister) to ish that is arelah (uncircumcised); for that would be a cherpah (reproach, disgrace) unto us;