Genesis 34:12

12 Set the price I must pay for the bride and the gift I must give her as high as you want. I'll pay exactly what you tell me. Give me the girl as my wife."

Genesis 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.

Genesis 34:12 In-Context

10 You can live with us, and the land will be yours. Live here, move about freely in this area, and acquire property here."

11 Then Shechem said to Dinah's father and her brothers, "Do me this favor. I'll give you whatever you ask.

12 Set the price I must pay for the bride and the gift I must give her as high as you want. I'll pay exactly what you tell me. Give me the girl as my wife."

13 Then Jacob's sons gave Shechem and his father Hamor a misleading answer because he had dishonored their sister Dinah.

14 They said, "We can't do this. We can't give our sister to a man who is uncircumcised. That would be a disgrace to us!