Genesis 34:12

12 Demand a high dowry and an expensive gift, and I will give you whatever you ask. Only give me the girl as my wife!”

Genesis 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.

Genesis 34:12 In-Context

10 You may settle among us, and the land will be open to you. Live here, move about freely, and acquire your own property.”

11 Then Shechem said to Dinah’s father and brothers, “Grant me this favor, and I will give you whatever you ask.

12 Demand a high dowry and an expensive gift, and I will give you whatever you ask. Only give me the girl as my wife!”

13 But because Shechem had defiled their sister Dinah, Jacob’s sons answered him and his father Hamor deceitfully.

14 “We cannot do such a thing,” they said. “To give our sister to an uncircumcised man would be a disgrace to us.