Genesis 34:20

20 So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate of their city and spoke to the men there.

Genesis 34:20 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 34:20

And Hamor and Shechem his son went unto the gate of their
city
Where courts of judicature were held, and all public affairs respecting the common interest of the city were transacted: here, no doubt, Hamor their prince summoned them to come, by the usual method in which the citizens were convened on certain occasions: and communed with the men of their city;
upon the subject of entering into an alliance with Jacob's family, of admitting them to be fellow citizens with them, and of their being incorporated among them, and becoming one people with them, taking no notice of the true reason of this motion: saying,
as follows.

Genesis 34:20 In-Context

18 Their words seemed good in the eyes of Hamor and his son Shechem.

19 The young man did not delay doing this, because he was delighted with Jacob's daughter. Now he was the most important in all his father's house.

20 So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate of their city and spoke to the men there.

21 "These men are peaceful toward us," they said. "Let them live in our land and move about in it, for indeed, the region is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters as our wives and give our daughters to them.

22 But the men will agree to live with us and be one people only on this condition: if all our men are circumcised as they are.