Genesis 34:9

9 Intermarry with us; give us your daughters 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 When Jacob’s sons heard what had happened, they returned from the field. They were filled with grief and fury, because Shechem had committed an outrage in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter—a thing that should not be done.

8 But Hamor said to them, “My son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife.

9 Intermarry with us; give us your daughters and take our daughters for yourselves.

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.