Topical Encyclopedia The account of deception in avenging a sister is found in the narrative of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, in Genesis 34. This account unfolds during the patriarchal period, a time when familial honor and tribal alliances were of utmost importance.Context and Background Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land. During her visit, Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the region, saw her, took her, and violated her. Despite this grievous act, Shechem's soul was drawn to Dinah, and he loved her and spoke tenderly to her. He then asked his father, Hamor, to obtain Dinah as his wife (Genesis 34:1-4). The Deceptive Plan When Jacob heard of the defilement of his daughter, his sons were in the fields with the livestock. Upon their return, they were deeply grieved and very angry, as Shechem had committed an outrage in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter—a thing that should not be done (Genesis 34:5-7). Hamor came to speak with Jacob, proposing a marriage alliance between the families. Shechem also pleaded with Dinah's family, offering to give whatever bride price they demanded (Genesis 34:8-12). In response, Jacob's sons, particularly Simeon and Levi, devised a deceitful plan. They spoke to Shechem and Hamor with guile, agreeing to the marriage on the condition that every male in Shechem's city be circumcised. They claimed that they could not give their sister to a man who was uncircumcised, as it would be a disgrace to them (Genesis 34:13-17). The Act of Vengeance Hamor and Shechem agreed to the terms, and Shechem did not delay in fulfilling the requirement, as he delighted in Jacob's daughter. He was the most honored of all his father's household. Consequently, Hamor and Shechem went to the gate of their city and convinced the men to undergo circumcision, arguing that it would lead to mutual benefit and wealth (Genesis 34:18-24). On the third day, when the men of the city were in pain from the circumcision, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting city, killing all the males, including Hamor and Shechem. They rescued Dinah from Shechem's house and left. The other sons of Jacob then plundered the city, seizing their flocks, herds, donkeys, and whatever was in the city and the field. They also took captive all the women and children and looted everything in the houses (Genesis 34:25-29). Jacob's Reaction Jacob rebuked Simeon and Levi for their actions, fearing retaliation from the surrounding Canaanite and Perizzite inhabitants. He expressed concern that their family, being few in number, would be destroyed if attacked. However, Simeon and Levi defended their actions by questioning whether their sister should have been treated like a prostitute (Genesis 34:30-31). Theological and Moral Implications This narrative highlights the themes of honor, justice, and the consequences of deceit. The actions of Simeon and Levi, while driven by a desire to avenge their sister's honor, demonstrate the destructive potential of deception and violence. The account serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of human motives and the far-reaching impact of sin. Nave's Topical Index 2 Samuel 13:24-28And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, your servant has sheep shearers; let the king, I beseech you, and his servants go with your servant. Nave's Topical Index Library Chapter xxxiv Memoir of John Bunyan Resources What is the great deception in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about self-deception? | GotQuestions.org Why does God allow deception? | GotQuestions.org Deception: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Deception in Representing to Their Father That Joseph had been Destroyed by Wild Beasts Deception: Abraham, in Stating That Sarah Was his Sister Deception: Amnon Deceives Tamar by Feigning Sickness Deception: Ananias and Sapphira Deception: David Feigns Madness Deception: Delilah Deceives Samson Deception: Ehud Deceives Eglon, and Kills Him Deception: Hushai Deceives Absalom Deception: Isaac, in Stating That his Wife Was his Sister Deception: Jacob and Rebekah, in Imposing Jacob on his Father, and Jacob's Impersonating Esau Deception: Jacob's Sons, in Entrapping the Shechemites Deception: Joseph, in his Ruse With his Brothers Deception: Sanballat Tries to Deceive Nehemiah Deception: The Gibeonites, in Misrepresenting Their Habitat Deception: when he Avenged his Sister Deception: when he Began his Conspiracy Self-Deception: General Scriptures Concerning Related Terms |
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