New International VersionTheir proposal seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem.
New Living TranslationHamor and his son Shechem agreed to their proposal.
English Standard VersionTheir words pleased Hamor and Hamor’s son Shechem.
Berean Standard BibleTheir offer seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem.
King James BibleAnd their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.
New King James VersionAnd their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son.
New American Standard BibleNow their words seemed reasonable to Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son.
NASB 1995Now their words seemed reasonable to Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son.
NASB 1977Now their words seemed reasonable to Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son.
Legacy Standard BibleNow their words seemed good in the sight of Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son.
Amplified BibleTheir words seemed reasonable to Hamor and his son Shechem,
Christian Standard BibleTheir words seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem.
Holman Christian Standard BibleTheir words seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem.
American Standard VersionAnd their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.
Contemporary English VersionHamor and Shechem liked what was said.
English Revised VersionAnd their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationTheir proposal seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem.
Good News TranslationThese terms seemed fair to Hamor and his son Shechem,
International Standard VersionWhat they said pleased Hamor and his son Shechem,
NET BibleTheir offer pleased Hamor and his son Shechem.
New Heart English BibleTheir words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor's son.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleTheir offer seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem.
World English BibleTheir words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd their words are good in the eyes of Hamor, and in the eyes of Shechem, Hamor’s son;
Young's Literal Translation And their words are good in the eyes of Hamor, and in the eyes of Shechem, Hamor's son;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd their words will be pleasing in the eyes of Hamor, and in the eyes of Shechem, Hamor's son. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleTheir offer pleased Hemor, and Sichem his son:
Catholic Public Domain VersionTheir offer pleased Hamor and his son Shechem.
New American BibleTheir proposal pleased Hamor and his son Shechem.
New Revised Standard VersionTheir words pleased Hamor and Hamor’s son Shechem. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem, Hamor's son.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd their words were pleasing in the eyes of Khamor and in the eyes of Shekeem his son. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd the words pleased Emmor, and Sychem the son of Emmor.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Revenge of Dinah's Brothers… 17But if you will not agree to be circumcised, then we will take our sister and go.” 18Their offerseemed goodto Hamorand hissonShechem.19The young man, who was the most respected of all his father’s household, did not hesitate to fulfill this request, because he was delighted with Jacob’s daughter.…
Cross References Genesis 49:5-7Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence. / May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For they kill men in their anger, and hamstring oxen on a whim. / Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.
Exodus 34:16And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same.
Deuteronomy 7:3-4Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, / because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.
Joshua 9:14-15Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not seek the counsel of the LORD. / And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.
Judges 14:1-3One day Samson went down to Timnah, where he saw a young Philistine woman. / So he returned and told his father and mother, “I have seen a daughter of the Philistines in Timnah. Now get her for me as a wife.” / But his father and mother replied, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me, for she is pleasing to my eyes.”
2 Samuel 13:12-14“No, my brother!” she cried. “Do not violate me, for such a thing should never be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing! / Where could I ever take my shame? And you would be like one of the fools in Israel! Please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” / But Amnon refused to listen to her, and being stronger, he violated her and lay with her.
1 Kings 11:1-2King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love.
Nehemiah 13:25-27I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves! / Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin. / Must we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?”
Psalm 106:35but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs.
Proverbs 6:32He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.
Proverbs 7:21-23With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him. / He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap, / until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare—not knowing it will cost him his life.
Matthew 5:28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 15:19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.
Mark 7:21-23For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”
John 8:34Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
Treasury of Scripture And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son. Jump to Previous EyesGoodHamorPleasedPleasingProposalReasonableSeemedShechemWordsJump to Next EyesGoodHamorPleasedPleasingProposalReasonableSeemedShechemWordsGenesis 34 1.Dinah is ravished by Shechem.4.He requests to marry her.13.The sons of Jacob offer the condition of circumcision to the Shechemites.20.Hamor and Shechem persuade them to accept it.25.The sons of Jacob upon that advantage slay them, and spoil their city.30.Jacob reproves Simeon and Levi.Their offer seemed good:This phrase indicates that the proposal made by Jacob's sons was agreeable to Hamor and Shechem. In the context of Genesis 34, Jacob's sons had deceitfully proposed that the men of Shechem undergo circumcision as a condition for intermarriage. The acceptance of this offer highlights the cultural and economic motivations of Hamor and Shechem, who saw the potential for increased wealth and alliances through intermarriage with Jacob's family. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of forming alliances through marriage. to Hamor and his son Shechem:
Hamor was the Hivite ruler of the city of Shechem, and his son Shechem was the prince who had defiled Dinah, Jacob's daughter. The mention of both father and son underscores the familial and political dynamics at play. Shechem's desire to marry Dinah, despite his previous actions, suggests a complex interplay of personal desire and political strategy. The city of Shechem, located in the region of Canaan, was a significant urban center in biblical times, often associated with key events in Israel's history, such as the covenant renewal under Joshua (Joshua 24:1-25). The willingness of Hamor and Shechem to accept the terms proposed by Jacob's sons also foreshadows the tragic outcome of the narrative, where the deceit leads to violence and retribution. Persons / Places / Events 1. HamorThe father of Shechem, a Hivite prince. He is involved in negotiating with Jacob's sons after his son Shechem defiled Dinah. 2. ShechemThe son of Hamor, who defiled Dinah, Jacob's daughter. He is deeply infatuated with Dinah and seeks to marry her. 3. Jacob's SonsThey are the brothers of Dinah, who are negotiating with Hamor and Shechem. They are deceitful in their agreement, planning to avenge their sister. 4. DinahThe daughter of Jacob and Leah, who was defiled by Shechem. Her situation is the catalyst for the events in this chapter. 5. The City of ShechemA significant location in the account, representing the broader cultural and moral conflict between Jacob's family and the Canaanites. Teaching Points The Deceptive Nature of SinThe agreement seemed good to Hamor and Shechem, but it was rooted in deceit. Sin often appears attractive but leads to destruction. The Importance of IntegrityJacob's sons lacked integrity in their dealings. As Christians, we are called to be people of our word, reflecting God's truthfulness. Guarding Against Unequal AlliancesThe account warns against forming alliances with those who do not share our values, as it can lead to compromise and conflict. The Consequences of Rash DecisionsShechem's impulsive actions led to devastating consequences. We must seek God's wisdom before making significant decisions. The Role of Forgiveness and ReconciliationWhile the chapter does not explicitly address forgiveness, the broader biblical account encourages us to seek reconciliation rather than revenge. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Genesis 34:18?
2.How does Genesis 34:18 reveal Shechem's influence over his father, Hamor?
3.What can we learn about family dynamics from Genesis 34:18?
4.How does Genesis 34:18 connect to honoring parents in Exodus 20:12?
5.How should Christians respond when family members make ungodly requests?
6.What steps can we take to ensure our actions align with God's will?
7.How does Genesis 34:18 reflect the cultural norms of ancient societies?
8.What theological implications arise from the events in Genesis 34:18?
9.How does Genesis 34:18 challenge modern ethical perspectives?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 34?
11.Who was Dinah in the Bible?
12.Genesis 34:27-29 - How does the looting and enslavement of the city align with later biblical laws condemning such acts?
13.Genesis 34:22 - Could the use of circumcision as a deceptive tactic reflect an anachronistic or exaggerated element in the text?
14.How can we express gratitude according to the Bible?What Does Genesis 34:18 Mean Their offer• Jacob’s sons had proposed that Hamor’s people be circumcised so intermarriage could occur (Genesis 34:13-17). • The suggestion appears as a legitimate diplomatic exchange, mirroring earlier covenant language (cf.Genesis 17:10-14). • By receiving an “offer,” Hamor and Shechem believe they are participants, not targets, in the negotiation—echoing the deceptive truce inJoshua 9:3-15 where Gibeon also accepts terms without perceiving hidden motives.
Seemed good• The phrase highlights their immediate, positive reaction—showing eagerness rather than discernment (Proverbs 14:12). • “Good” here is not moral goodness but perceived advantage: the promise of land, wealth, and alliance (Genesis 34:9-10). • Like Esau who valued a meal over his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34), they judge by surface benefits, overlooking spiritual implications.
To Hamor and his son• Father and son stand united, reflecting a household decision (Joshua 24:15). • Yet Scripture repeatedly warns that leaders can drag families into sin when following worldly gain (1 Kings 21:25-26;Acts 5:1-10). • Their joined approval contrasts with Jacob’s divided household, where sons act independently (Genesis 34:30-31).
Shechem• Shechem’s personal desire for Dinah drives the entire narrative (Genesis 34:3-4); emotion overrides righteousness (2 Samuel 13:1-2). • His acceptance of circumcision for lust’s sake underscores how fleshly motives can counterfeit covenantal signs (Romans 2:28-29). • Like Pharaoh later consenting under duress (Exodus 12:31-32), Shechem’s “yes” is self-serving, not God-honoring.
summaryGenesis 34:18 records a swift, positive response from Hamor and Shechem to Jacob’s sons’ proposal. They evaluate the terms by apparent advantage—alliances, wealth, personal desire—without seeking God’s counsel or discerning hidden intent. Their agreement exposes the folly of judging by immediate benefit rather than covenant faithfulness, a caution echoed throughout Scripture. (18) Their words pleased Hamor.--We gather from this that circumcision was a rite not only well known, but regarded as something honourable; for otherwise they would not so readily have submitted to a thing so painful. Verses 18, 19. - And their words pleased (literally, were flood in the eyes of) Hamor, and (literally, in the eyes of) Shechem, Hamor's son. And the young man deferred not ( i.e. delayed not) to do the thing (literally, the word, i.e. to submit to circumcision. This is stated here by anticipation), because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honorable - literally, more honored, doubtless because more worthy of regard (cf. 1 Chronicles 4:9) - than all the house of his father.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Their offerדִבְרֵיהֶ֖ם(ḏiḇ·rê·hem)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a causeseemed goodוַיִּֽיטְב֥וּ(way·yî·ṭə·ḇū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3190:To be good, well, glad, or pleasingto Hamorחֲמ֑וֹר(ḥă·mō·wr)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2544:Hamor -- father of Shechemand hisחֲמֽוֹר׃(ḥă·mō·wr)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2544:Hamor -- father of Shechemsonבֶּן־(ben-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121:A sonShechem.שְׁכֶ֥ם(šə·ḵem)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7927:Shechem -- 'ridge', a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamor
Links Genesis 34:18 NIVGenesis 34:18 NLTGenesis 34:18 ESVGenesis 34:18 NASBGenesis 34:18 KJV
Genesis 34:18 BibleApps.comGenesis 34:18 Biblia ParalelaGenesis 34:18 Chinese BibleGenesis 34:18 French BibleGenesis 34:18 Catholic Bible
OT Law: Genesis 34:18 Their words pleased Hamor and Shechem Hamor's (Gen. Ge Gn) |
