And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:
GENESIS 34:14KJVWhat does Genesis 34:14 mean?
Genesis 34:14 records Jacob’s sons telling Shechem and his father Hamor that they cannot give their sister Dinah in marriage to someone who is uncircumcised, because that would be a disgrace to their family. The verse shows the brothers drawing a clear line based on their cultural and religious identity.
In this situation, Jacob’s sons are responding after Shechem, a local prince, has asked to marry Dinah following his violation of her. The brothers use the issue of circumcision—a physical sign of their covenant with God—to explain why they cannot agree to the marriage as things stand. Their answer sets up the conditions for what will happen next in the story.
The Hebrew behind Genesis 34:14
- "uncircumcised" (עָרֵל, ʿarel): This word means someone who has not undergone circumcision, which in the context of Genesis marks someone as an outsider to the covenant community. The brothers’ use of this word emphasizes the deep cultural and religious divide.
- "reproach" (חֶרְפָּה, ḥerpah): This word means disgrace or shame. The brothers are saying that allowing such a marriage would bring shame on their family, highlighting the seriousness with which they view their distinct identity.
Why Genesis 34:14 matters
- The verse clarifies that the brothers’ objection is not just personal anger, but rooted in their understanding of what it means to belong to their community and faith.
- By focusing on circumcision, the verse shows how important outward signs of faith and identity were in ancient Israel.
- This statement sets the stage for the events that follow, revealing the brothers’ intentions and the seriousness of the cultural boundaries at play in the story.