Genesis 34:22

22 "But they will agree to live with us as one people only on one condition. All of our males must be circumcised, just as they are.

Genesis 34:22 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 34:22

Only herein will the men consent unto us
The only term or condition insisted upon, to come into an alliance and affinity with us, and for to dwell with us, to be one people,
to become one body politic, is the following one: if every male among us be circumcised, as they [are] circumcised;
submitting to this rite, they agree to take up their residence with us, and be incorporated among us, and become one people.

Genesis 34:22 In-Context

20 Hamor and his son Shechem went to the city gate. They spoke to the other men in town.

21 "These men are friendly toward us," they said. "Let them live in our land. Let them trade in it. The land has plenty of room for them. We can get married to their daughters. And they can marry ours.

22 "But they will agree to live with us as one people only on one condition. All of our males must be circumcised, just as they are.

23 "Won't their livestock and their property belong to us? Won't all of their animals become ours? So let's say yes to them. Then they'll settle among us."

24 All of the men who went out through the city gate agreed with Hamor and his son Shechem. So every male in the city was circumcised.