Genesis 34:5
New International Version
When Jacob heard that his daughter Dinah had been defiled, his sons were in the fields with his livestock; so he did nothing about it until they came home.

New Living Translation
Soon Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter, Dinah. But since his sons were out in the fields herding his livestock, he said nothing until they returned.

English Standard Version
Now Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah. But his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob held his peace until they came.

Berean Standard Bible
Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah, but since his sons were with his livestock in the field, he remained silent about it until they returned.

King James Bible
And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.

New King James Version
And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. Now his sons were with his livestock in the field; so Jacob held his peace until they came.

New American Standard Bible
Now Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah; but his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob said nothing until they came in.

NASB 1995
Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; but his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob kept silent until they came in.

NASB 1977
Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; but his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob kept silent until they came in.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; but his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob kept silent until they came in.

Amplified Bible
Now Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled (violated) Dinah his daughter; but his sons were in the field with his livestock, so Jacob said nothing until they came in.

Christian Standard Bible
Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah, but since his sons were with his livestock in the field, he remained silent until they returned.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah, but since his sons were with his livestock in the field, he remained silent until they returned.

American Standard Version
Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; and his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they came.

Contemporary English Version
Meanwhile, Jacob heard what had happened. But his sons were out in the fields with the cattle, so he did not do anything at the time.

English Revised Version
Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; and his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they came.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jacob heard that Shechem had dishonored his daughter Dinah. His sons were with his livestock out in the open country, so Jacob kept quiet until they came home.

Good News Translation
Jacob learned that his daughter had been disgraced, but because his sons were out in the fields with his livestock, he did nothing until they came back.

International Standard Version
Because Jacob learned that Shechem had dishonored his daughter Dinah while his sons were still out with their cattle on the open range, he remained silent until they returned.

Majority Standard Bible
Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah, but since his sons were with his livestock in the field, he remained silent about it until they returned.

NET Bible
When Jacob heard that Shechem had violated his daughter Dinah, his sons were with the livestock in the field. So Jacob remained silent until they came in.

New Heart English Bible
Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah, his daughter; and his sons were with his livestock in the field. Jacob remained silent until they came.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter (now his sons were with his cattle in the field:) and Jacob held his peace till they had come.

World English Bible
Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah, his daughter; and his sons were with his livestock in the field. Jacob held his peace until they came.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jacob has heard that he has defiled his daughter Dinah, and his sons were with his livestock in the field, and Jacob kept silent until their coming.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jacob hath heard that he hath defiled Dinah his daughter, and his sons were with his cattle in the field, and Jacob kept silent till their coming.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jacob heard that he defiled Dinah his daughter: and his sons were with his cattle in the field, and Jacob was silent till their coming.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But when Jacob had heard this, his sons being absent, and employed in feeding the cattle, he held his peace till they came back.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But when Jacob had heard this, since his sons were absent and he was occupied in pasturing the cattle, he remained silent until they came back.

New American Bible
Meanwhile, Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah; but since his sons were out in the field with his livestock, Jacob kept quiet until they came home.

New Revised Standard Version
Now Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah; but his sons were with his cattle in the field, so Jacob held his peace until they came.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Jacob heard that Dinah his daughter had been defiled; now his sons were with the cattle in the field; so Jacob held his peace until they came.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yaquuv heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter, and his sons were with the livestock in the field, and Yaquuv was silent until they came.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; and his sons were with his cattle in the field; and Jacob held his peace until they came.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jacob heard that the son of Emmor had defiled Dina his daughter (now his sons were with his cattle in the plain). And Jacob was silent until they came.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Defiling of Dinah
4So Shechem told his father Hamor, “Get me this girl as a wife.” 5Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah, but since his sons were with his livestock in the field, he remained silent about it until they returned. 6Meanwhile, Shechem’s father Hamor came to speak with Jacob.…

Cross References
Genesis 49:5-7
Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence. / May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For they kill men in their anger, and hamstring oxen on a whim. / Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.

Genesis 30:20-21
“God has given me a good gift,” she said. “This time my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.” And she named him Zebulun. / After that, Leah gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.

Genesis 29:31-35
When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. / And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.” / Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son as well.” So she named him Simeon. ...

Genesis 37:34-35
Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. / All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him.

Genesis 46:15
These are the sons of Leah born to Jacob in Paddan-aram, in addition to his daughter Dinah. The total number of sons and daughters was thirty-three.

Exodus 2:1-10
Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, / and she conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months. / But when she could no longer hide him, she got him a papyrus basket and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in the basket and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. ...

Numbers 12:1-15
Then Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married, for he had taken a Cushite wife. / “Does the LORD speak only through Moses?” they said. “Does He not also speak through us?” And the LORD heard this. / Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth. ...

Deuteronomy 22:28-29
If a man encounters a virgin who is not pledged in marriage, and he seizes her and lies with her, and they are discovered, / then the man who lay with her must pay the young woman’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she must become his wife because he has violated her. He must not divorce her as long as he lives.

2 Samuel 13:1-22
After some time, David’s son Amnon fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of David’s son Absalom. / Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her. / Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man, ...

2 Samuel 13:37-39
Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But David mourned for his son every day. / After Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, he stayed there three years. / And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he had been consoled over Amnon’s death.

1 Chronicles 2:1
These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun,

Psalm 12:5
“For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.”

Psalm 82:3-4
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.

Proverbs 31:8-9
Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. / Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”


Treasury of Scripture

And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.

now his.

Genesis 30:35
And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.

Genesis 37:13,14
And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I

1 Samuel 10:27
But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.

held.

Leviticus 10:3
Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

Psalm 39:9
I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.

Jump to Previous
Cattle Daughter Defiled Dinah Field Fields Heard Held Home Jacob Kept Livestock Peace Quiet Shechem Silent Word
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Cattle Daughter Defiled Dinah Field Fields Heard Held Home Jacob Kept Livestock Peace Quiet Shechem Silent Word
Genesis 34
1. Dinah is ravished by Shechem.
4. He requests to marry her.
13. The sons of Jacob offer the condition of circumcision to the Shechemites.
20. Hamor and Shechem persuade them to accept it.
25. The sons of Jacob upon that advantage slay them, and spoil their city.
30. Jacob reproves Simeon and Levi.














Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah
Jacob, the patriarch, is informed of the violation of his daughter, Dinah, by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite. This event takes place in the land of Canaan, where Jacob had settled after returning from Paddan Aram. The defilement of Dinah is a significant event, as it not only affects Jacob's family but also has broader implications for the relationship between Jacob's family and the inhabitants of the land. The act of defilement is seen as a grave sin, violating the sanctity of Dinah and the honor of Jacob's family. This incident foreshadows the tension and conflict that will arise between the Israelites and the Canaanites, highlighting the moral and cultural differences between them.

but since his sons were with his livestock in the field
Jacob's sons, who would later become the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel, are occupied with tending to the family's livestock. This detail underscores the pastoral lifestyle of the patriarchs, who were primarily shepherds and herdsmen. The mention of the sons being in the field indicates their responsibility and involvement in the family's economic activities. It also sets the stage for their reaction to the news of Dinah's defilement, as they are not immediately present to respond to the situation. The pastoral setting reflects the nomadic nature of Jacob's family and their dependence on livestock for sustenance and wealth.

he remained silent about it until they returned
Jacob's silence can be interpreted in several ways. It may indicate his shock and grief over the incident, as well as his cautious nature in dealing with such a sensitive matter. His decision to wait for his sons' return suggests the importance of family unity and collective decision-making in addressing the crisis. This silence also highlights Jacob's role as a patriarch who must balance his emotions with the need for wise leadership. The delay in response allows for the development of a plan, which ultimately leads to the subsequent actions taken by his sons. Jacob's silence is a moment of tension, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the potential for conflict.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jacob
The patriarch of the Israelite tribes, father of Dinah, and a central figure in this account. His response to the defilement of his daughter is a focal point in this verse.

2. Dinah
The daughter of Jacob and Leah, whose defilement by Shechem sets off a series of events that impact her family and the surrounding communities.

3. Shechem
The son of Hamor the Hivite, who defiled Dinah. His actions lead to significant conflict between his people and Jacob's family.

4. Jacob's Sons
They are tending livestock in the field at the time of the incident. Their reaction upon returning is crucial to the unfolding events.

5. The Field
Represents the place of work and daily life for Jacob's sons, highlighting the interruption of normalcy by the crisis at hand.
Teaching Points
The Weight of Silence
Jacob's initial silence can be seen as a moment of contemplation or indecision. In our lives, how do we balance the need for thoughtful response with the urgency of action in the face of injustice?

Family Dynamics and Leadership
Jacob's role as a father and leader is tested. This challenges us to consider how we lead and protect our families, especially in times of crisis.

The Impact of Sin
Shechem's sin has far-reaching consequences, affecting not just individuals but entire communities. Reflect on how personal sin can ripple outwards, impacting others.

Justice and Vengeance
The subsequent actions of Jacob's sons raise questions about justice and vengeance. How do we seek justice in a way that aligns with biblical principles?

Community and Accountability
The involvement of Jacob's sons highlights the importance of community and accountability. How do we hold each other accountable in our communities of faith?(5) Jacob heard.--As Dinah did not return home (Genesis 34:26), her father probably learned her dishonour from the maidservants who had gone out with her. But "he held his peace," chiefly from his usual cautiousness, as being no match for the Hivites, but partly because Leah's sons had the right to be the upholders of their sister's honour.

Verse 5. - And Jacob heard - most likely from some of Dinah's companions (Patrick), since she herself was still detained in She-chore's house (ver. 26) - that he (Hamor's son) had defiled - the verb here employed conveys the idea of rendering unclean (cf. vers. 13, 27; Numbers 19:13; 2 Kings 23:10; Psalm 79:1; that in ver. 2 expresses the notion of violence) - Dinah his daughter. It was an aggravation of Shechem's wickedness that it was perpetrated not against any of Jacob's handmaids, but against his daughter. Now (literally, and) his sons were with his cattle in the field - perhaps that which he had lately purchased (Genesis 33:19), or in some pasture ground more remote from the city. And Jacob held his peace - literally, acted as one dumb, i.e. maintained silence upon the painful subject, and took no measures to avenge Shechem s crime (cf. Genesis 24:21; 1 Samuel 10:27; 2 Samuel 13:22); either through sorrow (Ainsworth, Calvin), or through caution (Murphy, Lange), or through perplexity, as not knowing how to act (Kalisch), or as recognizing the right of his sons by the same mother to have a voice in the settlement of so important a question (Kurtz, Gerlach), to which undoubtedly the next clause points - until they were come - literally, until their coming.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Jacob
וְיַעֲקֹ֣ב (wə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

heard
שָׁמַ֗ע (šā·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

that
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Shechem had defiled
טִמֵּא֙ (ṭim·mê)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean

his daughter
בִתּ֔וֹ (ḇit·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1323: A daughter

Dinah,
דִּינָ֣ה (dî·nāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1783: Dinah -- daughter of Jacob

but since his sons
וּבָנָ֛יו (ū·ḇā·nāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

were
הָי֥וּ (hā·yū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

with
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

his livestock
מִקְנֵ֖הוּ (miq·nê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4735: Something bought, property, livestock, acquisition

in the field,
בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה (baś·śā·ḏeh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

he
יַעֲקֹ֖ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

held his peace
וְהֶחֱרִ֥שׁ (wə·he·ḥĕ·riš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2790: To cut in, engrave, plow, devise

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

they returned.
בֹּאָֽם׃ (bō·’ām)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go


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OT Law: Genesis 34:5 Now Jacob heard that he had defiled (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 34:4
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