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JANUARY 17
Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan,
when he came from Padan Aram; and he
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pitched his tent before the city. And he
33:3,4 Fearfully and deferentially, Jacob bought the parcel of land, where he had
approached his brother as an inferior would a pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor,
highly honored patron, while gladly and Shechem’s father, for one hundred pieces of
eagerly, Esau ran to greet his brother without money. Then he erected an altar there and
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restraint of emotion.“They wept”because,after called it El Elohe Israel.
21 years of troubling separation,old memories Now Dinah the daughter of Leah,
were wiped away and murderous threats 34 whom she had borne to Jacob, went
belonged to the distant past; hearts had been out to see the daughters of the land. And
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changed, brothers reconciled! See v.10.
when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite,
prince of the country, saw her, he took her and
lay with her, and violated her. His soul was
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women and children, and said, “Who are these strongly attracted to Dinah the daughter of
with you?” Jacob, and he loved the young woman and
So he said, “The children whom God has spoke kindly to the young woman. So
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graciously given your servant.” Then the Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying,
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maidservants came near, they and their chil- “Get me this young woman as a wife.”
dren, and bowed down. And Leah also came 5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah
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near with her children, and they bowed down. his daughter. Now his sons were with his live-
Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and stock in the field; so Jacob held his peace until
they bowed down. they came. Then Hamor the father of
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Then Esau said, “What do you mean by all Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him.
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this company which I met?” 7 And the sons of Jacob came in from the field
And he said, “These are to find favor in the when they heard it; and the men were grieved
sight of my lord.” and very angry, because he had done a dis-
But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; graceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob’s
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keep what you have for yourself.” daughter, a thing which ought not to be done.
And Jacob said, “No, please, if I have now But Hamor spoke with them, saying, “The
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found favor in your sight, then receive my soul of my son Shechem longs for your daugh-
present from my hand, inasmuch as I have ter. Please give her to him as a wife. And
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seen your face as though I had seen the face make marriages with us; give your daughters
of God, and you were pleased with me. to us, and take our daughters to yourselves.
Please, take my blessing that is brought to So you shall dwell with us, and the land shall
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you, because God has dealt graciously with be before you. Dwell and trade in it, and
me, and because I have enough.” So he urged acquire possessions for yourselves in it.”
him, and he took it. 11 Then Shechem said to her father and her
Then Esau said, “Let us take our journey; brothers, “Let me find favor in your eyes, and
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let us go, and I will go before you.” whatever you say to me I will give. Ask me
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But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give
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the children are weak, and the flocks and according to what you say to me; but give me
herds which are nursing are with me. And if the young woman as a wife.”
the men should drive them hard one day, all 13 But the sons of Jacob answered Shechem
the flock will die. Please let my lord go on and Hamor his father, and spoke deceitfully,
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ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly because he had defiled Dinah their sister.
at a pace which the livestock that go before 14 And they said to them, “We cannot do this
me, and the children, are able to endure, until thing, to give our sister to one who is uncir-
I come to my lord in Seir.” cumcised, for that would be a reproach to us.
And Esau said, “Now let me leave with you But on this condition we will consent to you:
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some of the people who are with me.” If you will become as we are, if every male of
But he said, “What need is there? Let me find you is circumcised, then we will give our
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favor in the sight of my lord.” So Esau daughters to you, and we will take your
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returned that day on his way to Seir. And Jacob daughters to us; and we will dwell with you,
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journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and and we will become one people. But if you
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made booths for his livestock. Therefore the will not heed us and be circumcised, then we
name of the place is called Succoth. will take our daughter and be gone.”
Then Jacob came safely to the city of And their words pleased Hamor and
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