They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field,

GENESIS 34:28KJV
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Genesis 34:28 (KJV)

What does Genesis 34:28 mean?

Genesis 34:28 describes Jacob’s sons taking the livestock and possessions of the people of Shechem. The verse shows that, after the men of the city had been killed, the attack extended to the community’s property, both inside and outside the city.

The narrator lists animals first, then widens the picture to everything taken from the city and the surrounding fields. For the first hearers, sheep, cattle, and donkeys would have represented a household’s wealth and means of work and travel.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 34:28

  • “sheep” — צֹאן (tso’n): This word refers to small livestock, often sheep and goats together. The KJV’s “sheep” can therefore represent more than one kind of animal.
  • “oxen” — בָּקָר (baqar): This word refers to cattle. The term can include the herd more broadly, not just animals used for plowing.
  • “field” — שָׂדֶה (sadeh): This word means open land or countryside. Alongside “city,” it marks the area beyond the settlement where animals and other property might be found.

Why Genesis 34:28 matters

  • The taking of property involved Jacob’s sons more broadly, not only the two brothers who killed the men. Verse 27 names “the sons of Jacob” as those who came upon the city.
  • The taking reached beyond the animals named first. The phrases “that which was in the city” and “that which was in the field” widen the account to other possessions.
  • The passage also describes people being taken. Verse 29 adds the women and children, making clear that the seizure was not limited to property.

Where else these words appear

“asses” Hebrew H2543 · used in 93 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Numbers 31:30 And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.
  • 1 Samuel 25:42 And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.