Genesis 34:23

23 Won't their cattle and their substance and all their animals be ours? Only let us give our consent to them, and they will dwell with us."

Genesis 34:23 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 34:23

Shall not their cattle, and their substance, and every beast
of theirs, [be] ours?
&c.] Which would in course come into their families in process of time, by intermarrying with them, or, being more numerous and powerful than they, could seize upon them when they pleased, and take all they had: thus they argue from the profit and advantage that would accrue to them by admitting them among them, upon their terms; and this argument, taken from worldly interest, they knew would have great influence upon them: only let us consent unto them;
in the affair of circumcision: and they will dwell with us;
and what by trading with them, and marrying among them, all their wealth and riches will come into our hands.

Genesis 34:23 In-Context

21 "These men are peaceful with us. Therefore let them live in the land and trade in it. For, behold, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

22 Only on this condition will the men consent to us to dwell with us, to become one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised.

23 Won't their cattle and their substance and all their animals be ours? Only let us give our consent to them, and they will dwell with us."

24 All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor, and to Shechem his son; and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

25 It happened on the third day, when they were sore, that two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword, came upon the unsuspecting city, and killed all the males.