The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 464

Perizzites (vide eh. xiii. 7): and I (sc, with youth, he was now afraid to repI"ove them my attendants) being few in number,-liter- (Inglis). 'l'hnt Jacob afterwards attained to nlly, 11wn of nwnher, i. e. that can be easily a proper estimate of their bloody deod hie numbered, a small band (cf. Dent. iv. 27; last prophetic uttemnce reveals (eh. xli.x. 6- l's. cv. 12 ; ,Ter. xliv, 28)-they (literally, 7). By somo it is supposed that he even now and tkey) shall gather themselves together felt the crime in all its heinousness (Kalisch), against me, and slay me ; and I shall be though his reproach was somewhat leniently destroyed, I and my house. That Jacob expressed in tho word "trouble" (Lange) ; should have spoken to his sons only of his while others, believing Jacob's abhorrence ot own danger, and not of their guilt, has been his sons' fanatical cruelty to have been deep ascribed to his belief that this was the only and real, account for its omission by the his- motive which their carnal minds could under- torian on the ground that he aimed merely e.t stand (Keil, Gerlach); to a remembrance of his showing" the protection of God (eh. xxxv. own deceitfulness, which disqualified him in a 5), through which Jacob escaped the evil con- measure from being the censor of his sons sequences of their conduct" (Hengstenberg, ( Kalisch, Wordsworth) ; to the lowered moral Kurtz). and spiritual tone of his own mind (Candlish, Ver. 31.-And they ea.id, Should he dee.I •Speaker's Commentary'); to the circumstance with our sister ae with an harlot 1 But that, ha-ving indulged his children in their Shechern offered Dinah honouraLle marrie.ge. HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-31.-Tlie tragedy at Shechem. I. DINAH AND SHECHEM. 1. A young girl's indiscretion. "Dinah went out to see the de.ughtere of the land." If Dinah'e object was to witness the manners of the people, 11he we.e guilty of objectione.ble curiosity; if to exhibit herself, of distressing vanity ; if to mingle in their enter- tainments, of improper levity; and for all these reasons, considering the character of the family to which she belonged, and the wickedness of the people with whom she mingled, of exceedingly heinous sin. 2. A young princis wickedness. Shecbem saw her, and took her, and lay with her, e.nd defiled her. The sin of Shechem had many aggravations. It was done by a prince, whose very rank should have preserved him from such degradation. Those whom God makes elevated in station should make themselves eminent in virtue. Goodness should always e.ccompany greatness. Then it was done without the least excuse, since Shechem wa.e at liberty by God's law and man's to have a wife whenever he desired. Again, it was done against a young and comparatively helpless girl whom circumstances had placed within his power. Further, it was done in violation of the laws of hospitality, which required him to protect, rather than to injure, a stranger's good name. And, lastly, it was done to one belonging to a family whose members were invested with a high degree of sanctity. Still the crime of Shechem was not without its extenuations. First, he loved the maiden whom be had dishonoured. Second, he offered the reparation of an honourable marriage. Third, he treated her with kindness while Le detained her in his palace. II. JACOB AND HIS soN3. 1. The impression made on Jacob by Dinah's misfortune. (1) He held bis peace; in stupefaction, in sorrow, in meditation, in indecision. (2) He sent for his sons, who, as recognised guardians of their sister, were entitled to be consulted in all that concerned her welfare. 2. Tlie effect produced on Jacob's soiia by their suter's shame. (1) They were grieved for what had happened-for Dinah's, for their father's, for their own sake. (2) They were angry n.t its perpetrator; not so much, however, for the sin ho had committed, as for the fact that he had committed it against Jacob'e de.ughter. Ill. JAcon's soNs AND HAMOR's soN. 1. Tlie honourable proposal of Shechem First through the medium of hie father, and afterwards in his own person, ho solicits Jacob and his sons to give him Dinah in marriage, and to enter in turn into matri- monial alliances with them, offering as e.n inducement unrestricted liberty to settle, trade, and acquire property in the land, and promising to po.y whatever dowry or gift might Le demanded for the damsel. 2. The deceitful reply of Jacob' s sona. First they declared it impossible that Dinah should become the wife of one who wns uncircumcised. Then they consented to the proposition on condition thnt Hamor, Shechem, and th~ Shechemite~ would submit to circumcision. And yet nil the while it was only part of a deep-laid plot for exacting revenge, en. XXXIV. 1-31. J THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 409