Genesis 34:23

23 Their livestock, their property, and all of their animals—won't they be ours? Let's agree with them and let them live with us."

Genesis 34:23 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 34:23

Shall not their cattle, and their substance, and every beast
of theirs, [be] ours?
&c.] Which would in course come into their families in process of time, by intermarrying with them, or, being more numerous and powerful than they, could seize upon them when they pleased, and take all they had: thus they argue from the profit and advantage that would accrue to them by admitting them among them, upon their terms; and this argument, taken from worldly interest, they knew would have great influence upon them: only let us consent unto them;
in the affair of circumcision: and they will dwell with us;
and what by trading with them, and marrying among them, all their wealth and riches will come into our hands.

Genesis 34:23 In-Context

21 "These men want peace with us. Let them live in the land and travel through it; there's plenty of land for them. We will marry their daughters and give them our daughters.

22 But the men will agree to live with us and become one people only if we circumcise every male just as they do.

23 Their livestock, their property, and all of their animals—won't they be ours? Let's agree with them and let them live with us."

24 Everyone at the city gate agreed with Hamor and his son Shechem, so every able-bodied male in the city was circumcised.

25 On the third day, when they were still in pain, two of Jacob's sons and Dinah's brothers Simeon and Levi took their swords, came into the city, which suspected nothing, and killed every male.