Genesis 34:12

12 Ask as much as you want for the payment for the bride, and I will give it to you. Just let me marry Dinah."

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 in the same land with us. You will be free to own land and to trade here."

11 Shechem also talked to Jacob and to Dinah's brothers and said, "Please accept my offer. I will give anything you ask.

12 Ask as much as you want for the payment for the bride, and I will give it to you. Just let me marry Dinah."

13 Jacob's sons answered Shechem and his father with lies, because Shechem had disgraced their sister Dinah.

14 The brothers said to them, "We cannot allow you to marry our sister, because you are not circumcised. That would be a disgrace to us.