And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.

GENESIS 34:6KJV
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Genesis 34:6 (KJV)

What does Genesis 34:6 mean?

Genesis 34:6 describes how Hamor, the father of Shechem, went out to meet Jacob in order to talk with him. This meeting happens after Shechem, Hamor’s son, has taken Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, and the two families now need to discuss what has happened.

In this verse, Hamor is taking the initiative to approach Jacob directly. The context is tense: Shechem has committed a serious offense against Dinah, and Hamor’s visit is likely an attempt to negotiate or resolve the situation. The verse sets up the coming conversation between the two families, which is central to the unfolding story.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 34:6

  • "Commune" comes from דָּבַר (dābar), which means "to speak" or "to talk." Here, it suggests that Hamor’s purpose is to have a serious conversation or negotiation with Jacob, not just a casual chat.
  • "Went out" is יָצָא (yātsa’), meaning "to go out" or "to come forth." This word often marks a deliberate action, showing that Hamor is intentionally seeking out Jacob rather than waiting for him to come.

Why Genesis 34:6 matters

  • This verse shows Hamor taking responsibility as the head of his family to address a difficult situation, which highlights the seriousness of what has happened between Shechem and Dinah.
  • The verse prepares the reader for the negotiations and tensions that follow, helping to explain why the two families interact the way they do in the rest of the chapter.
  • Understanding that Hamor is the one who initiates the conversation helps clarify the power dynamics and the cultural expectations of the time, where family heads handled such disputes directly.

Where else these words appear

“Hamor” Hebrew H2544 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 33:19 And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of money.
  • Genesis 34:8 And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.
  • Genesis 34:24 And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

“with” Hebrew H854 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
  • Genesis 19:13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.
  • Leviticus 5:7 And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.

“Shechem” Hebrew H7927 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 12:6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
  • Joshua 20:7 And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.
  • Judges 9:31 And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.