Genesis – Chapter 34

Old Testament31 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 34 of Genesis begins: "And Dina the daughter of Lia went out to see the women of that country." The chapter centers on Jacob, Simeon and Leah. Across its 31 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and love and charity. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And Dina the daughter of Lia went out to see the women of that country.

2And when Sichem the son of Hemor the Hevite, the prince of that land, saw her, he was in love with her: and took her away, and lay with her, ravishing the virgin.

3And his soul was fast knit unto her; and whereas she was sad, he comforted her with sweet words.

4And going to Hemor his father, he said: Get me this damsel to wife.

5But when Jacob had heard this, his sons being absent, and employed in feeding the cattle, he held his peace till they came back.

6And when Hemor the father of Sichem was come out to speak to Jacob,

7Behold his sons came from the field: and hearing what had passed, they were exceeding angry, because he had done a foul thing in Israel, and committed an unlawful act, in ravishing Jacob's daughter.

8And Hemor spoke to them: The soul of my son Sichem has a longing for your daughter: give her him to wife:

9And let us contract marriages one with another: give us your daughters, and take you our daughters.

10And dwell with us: the land is at your command, till, trade, and possess it.

11Sichem also said to her father and to her brethren: Let me find favour in your sight, and whatsoever you shall appoint I will give:

12Raise the dowry, and ask gifts, and I will gladly give what you shall demand: only give me this damsel to wife.

13The sons of Jacob answered Sichem and his father deceitfully, being enraged at the deflowering of their sister:

14We cannot do what you demand, nor give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; which with us is unlawful and abominable.

15But in this we may be allied with you, if you will be like us, and all the male sex among you be circumcised:

16Then will we mutually give and take your daughters, and ours; and we will dwell with you, and will be one people:

17But if you will not be circumcised, we will take our daughter and depart.

18Their offer pleased Hemor, and Sichem, his son:

19And the young man made no delay, but forthwith fulfilled what was required: for he loved the damsel exceedingly, and he was the greatest man in all his father's house.

20And going into the gate of the city, they spoke to the people:

21These men are peaceable, and are willing to dwell with us: let them trade in the land, and till it, which being large and wide wanteth men to till it: we shall take their daughters for wives, and we will give them ours.

22One thing there is for which so great a good is deferred: We must circumcise every male among us, following the manner of the nation.

23And their substance, and cattle, and all that they possess, shall be ours; only in this let us condescend, and by dwelling together, we shall make one people.

24And they all agreed, and circumcised all the males.

25And behold the third day, when the pain of the wound was greatest: two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, the brothers of Dina, taking their swords, entered boldly into the city and slew all the men.

26And they killed also Hemor and Sichem, and took away their sister Dina out of Sichem's house.

27And when they were gone out, the other sons of Jacob came upon the slain; and plundered the city in revenge of the rape.

28And they took their sheep, and their herds, and their asses, wasting all they had in their houses and in their fields.

29And their children and wives they took captive.

30And when they had boldly perpetrated these things, Jacob said to Simeon and Levi: You have troubled me, and made me hateful to the Chanaanites and Pherezites, the inhabitants of this land. We are few: they will gather themselves together and kill me; and both I, and my house shall be destroyed.

31They answered: Should they abuse our sister as a strumpet?

Important Verses in Genesis 34

And Dina the daughter of Lia went out to see the women of that country.

Genesis 34:1

But when Jacob had heard this, his sons being absent, and employed in feeding the cattle, he held his peace till they came back.

Genesis 34:5

And Hemor spoke to them: The soul of my son Sichem has a longing for your daughter: give her him to wife:

Genesis 34:8

And the young man made no delay, but forthwith fulfilled what was required: for he loved the damsel exceedingly, and he was the greatest man in all his father's house.

Genesis 34:19

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Genesis was written with the people of Israel, to root their identity in God's creation and the covenant with the patriarchs in view. Chapter 34 of 50 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 31 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Jacob, Simeon and Leah, the principal figures named in this chapter. It opens with the line: "And Dina the daughter of Lia went out to see the women of that country." The chapter ends with: "They answered: Should they abuse our sister as a strumpet? " In terms of historical background, Genesis was composed to give Israel its foundational identity: one God created all things good, sin entered through human choice, and God responded with a plan of salvation beginning with Abraham. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Genesis around Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions

When It Was Written

Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

In this 31-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of creation, covenant, and the patriarchs. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And Dina the daughter of Lia went out to see the women of that country." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2772). Here, the Catechism teaches that Genesis reveals God's plan of salvation from the beginning (CIC 54-64). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • Christian hope rests not on circumstances but on the unfailing promises of God.

People in This Chapter

Jacob7 mentionsSimeon2 mentionsLeah1 mention

Reflection for Today

Genesis Chapter 34 tells the disturbing story of Dinah and the violent response of her brothers Simeon and Levi. Catholic moral theology condemns both the initial crime against Dinah and the disproportionate vengeance that follows. The Catechism teaches that justice must be tempered by mercy and that vengeance belongs to God alone (CIC 2302-2303).

The deceptive use of circumcision—a sacred covenant sign—for purposes of violence represents a profound desecration. The Church Fathers condemned this misuse of religious practice for worldly ends. Catholic teaching emphasizes that sacred things must never be instrumentalized for secular purposes.

Jacob's rebuke of his sons focuses on the practical danger they have created, but his later blessing (Genesis 49) reveals deeper moral judgment. This chapter reminds us that violence begets violence, that righteous anger can lead to sinful excess, and that even justified grievances do not excuse unjust responses. The protection of the vulnerable must be pursued through just means.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Genesis Chapter 34 about?

Genesis 34 contains 31 verses. It opens with "And Dina the daughter of Lia went out to see the women of that country." and closes with "They answered: Should they abuse our sister as a strumpet? ". The book as a whole is narrative with genealogies and covenant accounts.

What is a key verse in Genesis 34?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And Dina the daughter of Lia went out to see the women of that country." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Genesis Chapter 34?

This chapter mentions Jacob, Simeon, Leah.

Who wrote Genesis and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions. Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

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