Shechem spoke to his father, Hamor, saying, “Get me this young lady as a wife.”
Parallel Translations
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Shechem spoke to his father, Hamor, saying, “Get me this young lady as a wife.”
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And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.
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And Shechem spoke unto his father Hamor, saying: 'Get me this damsel to wife.'
Cross-references (3)
Passages linked to Genesis 34:4 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Judges 14:2 He came up, and told his father and his mother, saying, “I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines. Now therefore get her for me as my wife.”
- Genesis 21:21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother got a wife for him out of the land of Egypt.
- 2 Samuel 13:13 As for me, where would I carry my shame? And as for you, you will be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.”
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (7 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 4. And Shechem said to his father Hamor. In…
4. And Shechem said to his father Hamor. In this place it is more clearly expressed, that Shechem desired to have Dinah for his wife; for his lust was not so unbridled, that when he had defiled, he despised her. Besides, a laudable modesty is shown, since he pays deference to the will of his father; for he does not attempt to form a contract of marriage of his own mind, but leaves this to his father’s authority. For though he had basely fallen through the precipitate ardor of lust; yet now returning to himself, he follows the guidance of nature. So much the more ought young men to take heed to themselves, lest in the slippery period of their age, the lusts of the flesh should impel them to many crimes. For, at this day, greater license everywhere prevails, so that no moderation restrains youths from shameful conduct. Since, however, Shechem, under the rule and direction of nature, desired his father to be the procurer of his marriage, we hence infer that the right which parents have over their children is inviolable; so that they who attempt to overthrow it, confound heaven and earth. Wherefore, since the Pope, in honor of marriage, has dared to break this sacred bond of nature; this fornicator Shechem alone, will prove a judge sufficient, and more than sufficient, to condemn that barbarous conduct.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain This proveth that the consent of parents is requisite…
This proveth that the consent of parents is requisite in marriage, seeing the very Infidels did also observe it as a thing necessary.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Gen 34:4 And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor,…
Gen 34:4 And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.
Ver. 4: Get me this damsel to wife.] This is praise worthy in Shechem, as bad as he was, that he correcteth his base-born love, or lust rather, by seeking to make her his wife; not without consent of parents on both sides; which, in the Church of Rome, is ofttimes not regarded. Children are a principal part of their parents’ possessions, as Job’s children were accounted by Satan; yea, a piece of themselves. "Have mercy upon me," that is, "upon my daughter". {Mat 15:22} Fit it is, therefore, that they should by the parents be disposed of in marriage.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain He desires both his father’s consent and assistance herein.
He desires both his father’s consent and assistance herein.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor,.... And told…
And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor,.... And told him the whole affair, at least what a strong affection he had for Dinah:
saying, get me this damsel to wife; by which he meant not only that he would give his consent that he might marry her, but that he would get her parents' consent unto it, and settle the matter with them; by which it appears how early, and that even among Heathen nations, consent of parents on both sides was judged necessary to marriage. It seems by this as if Dinah was now detained in the house of Hamor or Shechem, and was upon the spot, or near at hand, when Shechem addressed his father about her, see Gen 34:26.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 4. Get me] The parents were accustomed to obtain…
4. Get me] The parents were accustomed to obtain a wife for their son: see Gen_21:21, Gen_24:3-4; Jdg_14:2.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 Now Jacob
Now Jacob
"Now" is used here to mark a change from the story to background information about Jacob. (See: Background Information)
Read full note →
Jacob heard that he
The word "he" refers to Shechem.
he had defiled
This means that Shechem had greatly dishonored and disgraced Dinah by forcing her to sleep with him.
held his peace
This is a way of saying that Jacob did not say or do anything about the matter. (See: Idiom)
translationWords
Shechem
Hamor
Jacob
defile
livestock
peace
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.