Genesis 34:16

16 then we shall give and take together our daughters and yours (then we shall give our daughters to you, and we shall take your daughters for ourselves); and we shall dwell with you, and we shall be one people.

Genesis 34:16 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 34:16

Then will we give our daughters unto you
Meaning Dinah, whom they call their daughter, ( Genesis 34:17 ) ; because she was the daughter of their family, and because they were entreating in the name of their father, and in conformity to the language used by those they were treating with, ( Genesis 34:9 ) ; and we will take your daughters to us;
in marriage for wives: and we will dwell with you;
not as sojourners but as fellow citizens: and we will become one people;
being so nearly related by marriage, and professing one religion, alike submitting to circumcision, which was the distinguished badge of Abraham's seed.

Genesis 34:16 In-Context

14 We may not do this that ye ask, neither we may give our sister to a man uncircumcised, which thing is unleaveful and abominable with us. (and they said, We cannot do this thing that ye ask, for we cannot give our sister to an uncircumcised man, for such a thing is unlawful and abominable with us.)

15 But in this we shall be able to be bound in peace, if ye will be like us, and each of male kind be circumcised in you; (But by this we shall make a covenant with thee, if ye will be made like us, and each of your males be circumcised;)

16 then we shall give and take together our daughters and yours (then we shall give our daughters to you, and we shall take your daughters for ourselves); and we shall dwell with you, and we shall be one people.

17 Forsooth if ye will not be circumcised, (then) we shall take our daughter, and we shall go away.

18 The proffering of them pleased Hamor, and Shechem, his son, (And their proffer pleased Hamor, and his son Shechem,)