Background and Context:
Simeon and Levi were two of the twelve sons of Jacob, born to Leah, Jacob's first wife. Their account is primarily recounted in the Book of Genesis, specifically in Genesis 34. This chapter details a significant and controversial event involving their sister, Dinah, and the subsequent actions taken by Simeon and Levi.

The Incident with Dinah:
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 land, 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.

The Deceptive Agreement:
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 outrageous act in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter—a thing that ought not to be done (Genesis 34:7).

Hamor came to speak with Jacob and his sons, proposing a marriage alliance between their peoples. Shechem himself pleaded for Dinah's hand, offering to pay any bride price they demanded. However, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's full brothers, devised a deceitful plan. They agreed to the marriage on the condition that all the males in Shechem's city be circumcised, as they could not give their sister to a man who was uncircumcised (Genesis 34:13-17).

The Attack:
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 house. Consequently, all the men of the city were circumcised.

On the third day, when the men were in pain, Simeon and Levi took their swords and boldly attacked the city, killing all the males, including Hamor and Shechem. They retrieved 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 all that was in the houses (Genesis 34:25-29).

Jacob's Reaction:
Jacob was deeply troubled by the actions of Simeon and Levi. He feared that their violent retribution would bring trouble upon him by making him odious to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. He expressed concern that, being few in number, his household would be attacked and destroyed. Simeon and Levi, however, justified their actions by asking, "Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?" (Genesis 34:30-31).

Legacy and Significance:
The actions of Simeon and Levi had lasting implications for their legacy and the future of the tribes of Israel. In Jacob's prophetic blessings over his sons in Genesis 49, he recalled their fierce anger and cruel wrath, declaring that they would be divided and scattered in Israel (Genesis 49:5-7). This prophecy was fulfilled as the tribe of Simeon eventually became absorbed into the territory of Judah, and the tribe of Levi was set apart for priestly duties, receiving no land inheritance of their own.

The account of Simeon and Levi's attack serves as a complex narrative within the broader context of the patriarchal history, illustrating themes of justice, vengeance, and the consequences of unchecked anger.