Genesi 34:12

12 Imponetemi pur gran dote e presenti, ed io li darò, secondo che mi direte; e datemi la fanciulla per moglie.

Genesi 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.

Genesi 34:12 In-Context

10 Ed abitate con noi; e il paese sarà a vostro comando; dimoratevi, e trafficatevi, ed acquistate delle possessioni in esso.

11 Sichem ancora disse al padre ed a’ fratelli di essa: Lasciate che io trovi grazia appo voi; ed io darò ciò che mi direte.

12 Imponetemi pur gran dote e presenti, ed io li darò, secondo che mi direte; e datemi la fanciulla per moglie.

13 E i figliuoli di Giacobbe risposero a Sichem, e ad Hemor suo padre, con inganno, e lo trattennero con parole; perciocchè egli avea contaminata Dina, lor sorella.

14 E disser loro: Noi non possiam far questa cosa, di dar la nostra sorella ad un uomo incirconciso; perciocchè il prepuzio ci è cosa vituperosa.