Genesis 34:8

8 Hamor said to Jacob's sons, "My son Shechem is strongly attracted to your^[a] daughter. Please give her to him as a wife.

Genesis 34:8 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 34:8

And Hamor communed with them
With Jacob and his sons, who came in just at that time:

saying, the soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter:
the daughter of the family, and the only daughter in it; for her Shechem had a vehement affection, a strong desire to marry her, and could not be satisfied without her:

I pray you, give her him to wife;
he not only requests the consent of the parents of the damsel, but of her brothers also, which in those times and countries seems to have been usual to ask and have, see ( Genesis 24:50 Genesis 24:51 Genesis 24:55 Genesis 24:59 ) .

Genesis 34:8 In-Context

6 Meanwhile, Shechem's father Hamor came to speak with Jacob.

7 Jacob's sons returned from the field when they heard [about the incident] and were deeply grieved and angry. For Shechem had committed an outrage against Israel by sleeping with Jacob's daughter, and such a thing should not be done.

8 Hamor said to Jacob's sons, "My son Shechem is strongly attracted to your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife.

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

10 Live with us. The land is before you. Settle here, move about, and acquire property in it."

Footnotes

• [a]. Hb your is pl, showing that Hamor is speaking to Jacob and his sons.