Genesis 34:14

14 non possumus facere quod petitis nec dare sororem nostram homini incircumciso quod inlicitum et nefarium est apud nos

Genesis 34:14 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 34:14

And they said unto them
Levi and Simeon, to Hamor and Shechem: we cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is
uncircumcised;
not that there was any law against it at that time; and there were, on the other hand, precedents for it both in Isaac and Jacob, who had married the daughters of uncircumcised persons; nor indeed do they plead any law, only that it was not becoming their character, nor agreeably to their religion, nor honourable in their esteem: for that [were] a reproach unto us;
and they should be reflected upon for slighting the institution of circumcision, which was of God: so they pretend it might be interpreted, should they enter into affinity with uncircumcised persons.

Genesis 34:14 In-Context

12 augete dotem munera postulate libens tribuam quod petieritis tantum date mihi puellam hanc uxorem

13 responderunt filii Iacob Sychem et patri eius in dolo saevientes ob stuprum sororis

14 non possumus facere quod petitis nec dare sororem nostram homini incircumciso quod inlicitum et nefarium est apud nos

15 sed in hoc valebimus foederari si esse volueritis nostri similes et circumcidatur in vobis omne masculini sexus

16 tunc dabimus et accipiemus mutuo filias nostras ac vestras et habitabimus vobiscum erimusque unus populus