Old Testament

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Genesis 34:2-17 Good News Bible (GNB)

2. When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, who was chief of that region, saw her, he took her and raped her.

3. But he found the young woman so attractive that he fell in love with her and tried to win her affection.

4. He said to his father, “I want you to get this woman for me as my wife.”

5. Jacob learnt that his daughter had been disgraced, but because his sons were out in the fields with his livestock, he did nothing until they came back.

6. Shechem's father Hamor went out to talk with Jacob,

7. just as Jacob's sons were coming in from the fields. When they heard about it, they were shocked and furious that Shechem had done such a thing and had insulted the people of Israel by raping Jacob's daughter.

8. Hamor said to him, “My son Shechem has fallen in love with your daughter; please let him marry her.

9. Let us make an agreement that there will be intermarriage between our people and yours.

10. Then you may stay here in our country with us; you may live anywhere you wish, trade freely, and own property.”

11. Then Shechem said to Dinah's father and brothers, “Do me this favour, and I will give you whatever you want.

12. Tell me what presents you want, and set the payment for the bride as high as you wish; I will give you whatever you ask, if you will only let me marry her.”

13. Because Shechem had disgraced their sister Dinah, Jacob's sons answered Shechem and his father Hamor in a deceitful way.

14. They said to him, “We cannot let our sister marry a man who is not circumcised; that would be a disgrace for us.

15. We can agree only on the condition that you become like us by circumcising all your males.

16. Then we will agree to intermarriage. We will settle among you and become one people with you.

17. But if you will not accept our terms and be circumcised, we will take her and leave.”

Read complete chapter Genesis 34