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Sunday, July 20th, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Douay-Rheims Bible

Genesis 34:19

And the young man made no delay, but forthwith fulfilled what was required: for he loved the damsel exceedingly, and he was the greatest man in all his father’s house.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Deception;   Dishonesty;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Dinah;   Levi;   Shechem;   Simeon;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Anger;   Delight;   Sexuality, Human;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Circumcision;   Genesis;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Dinah;   Family;   Hamor;   Israel;   Jacob;   Levi;   Marriage;   Simeon;   Tribes of Israel;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Dinah ;   Hamor ;   Shechem ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Canaan (2);   Dinah;   Smith Bible Dictionary - She'chem;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Delight;   Honorable;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Dinah;   Shechem;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
The young man didn't wait to do this thing, because he had delight in Ya`akov's daughter, and he was honored above all the house of his father.
King James Version
And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father.
Lexham English Bible
And the young man did not delay to do the thing, for he wanted the daughter of Jacob. Now he was the most honored of his father's house.
New Century Version
So Shechem quickly went to be circumcised because he loved Jacob's daughter. Now Shechem was the most respected man in his family.
New English Translation
The young man did not delay in doing what they asked because he wanted Jacob's daughter Dinah badly. (Now he was more important than anyone in his father's household.)
Amplified Bible
and the young man did not hesitate to do the [required] thing, for he was delighted with Jacob's daughter. Now he was more respected and honored than all [others] in the household of his father.
New American Standard Bible
The young man did not delay to do this, because he was delighted with Jacob's daughter. Now he was more respected than all the household of his father.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And the yong man deferd not to doe the thing because he loued Iaakobs daughter: he was also the most set by of all his fathers house.
Legacy Standard Bible
So the young man did not delay to do the thing because he was delighted with Jacob's daughter. Now he was more honored than all the household of his father.
Contemporary English Version
Shechem was the most respected person in his family, and he was so in love with Dinah that he hurried off to get everything done.
Complete Jewish Bible
and the young man did not put off doing what was asked of him, even though he was the most respected member of his father's family, because he so much wanted Ya‘akov' s daughter.
Darby Translation
And the youth did not delay to do this, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter. And he was honourable above all in the house of his father.
Easy-to-Read Version
Shechem was very happy to do what Dinah's brothers asked. Shechem was the most honored man in his family.
English Standard Version
And the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he delighted in Jacob's daughter. Now he was the most honored of all his father's house.
George Lamsa Translation
And the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he was delighted with Jacobs daughter and he was honored above all the household of his father.
Good News Translation
and the young man lost no time in doing what was suggested, because he was in love with Jacob's daughter. He was the most important member of his family.
Christian Standard Bible®
The young man did not delay doing this, because he was delighted with Jacob’s daughter. Now he was the most important in all his father’s family.
Literal Translation
And the young man did not hesitate to do the thing, for he delighted in Jacob's daughter. And he was more honorable than all the house of his father.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and the yonge man deferde not to do the same, for he had lust to Iacobs doughter: and he was holden in honoure aboue all in his fathers house.
American Standard Version
And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was honored above all the house of his father.
Bible in Basic English
And without loss of time the young man did as they said, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter, and he was the noblest of his father's house.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And the young man deferde not for to do the thing, because he had a lust to Iacobs daughter: he was also most set by, of all that was in his fathers house.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter. And he was honoured above all the house of his father.
King James Version (1611)
And the yong man deferred not to doe the thing, because he had delight in Iacobs daughter: and he was more honourable then all the house of his father.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the young man delayed not to do this thing, for he was much attached to Jacob’s daughter, and he was the most honourable of all in his father’s house.
English Revised Version
And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was honoured above all the house of his father.
Berean Standard Bible
The young man, who was the most respected of all his father's household, did not hesitate to fulfill this request, because he was delighted with Jacob's daughter.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
his sone, and the yong wexynge man dilaiede not, that ne he fillide anoon that that was axid, for he louede the damysele greetli, and he was noble in al `the hous of his fadir.
Young's Literal Translation
and the young man delayed not to do the thing, for he had delight in Jacob's daughter, and he is honourable above all the house of his father.
Update Bible Version
And the young man didn't defer to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was honored above all the house of his father.
Webster's Bible Translation
And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he [was] more honorable than all the house of his father.
World English Bible
The young man didn't wait to do this thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter, and he was honored above all the house of his father.
New King James Version
So the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he delighted in Jacob's daughter. He was more honorable than all the household of his father.
New Living Translation
Shechem wasted no time in acting on this request, for he wanted Jacob's daughter desperately. Shechem was a highly respected member of his family,
New Life Bible
The young man did not wait to do what they asked, because he was in love with Jacob's daughter. And he was the most honored of all his family.
New Revised Standard
And the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he was delighted with Jacob's daughter. Now he was the most honored of all his family.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
and the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter, - he, moreover being more honourable than all the house of his father.
Revised Standard Version
And the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter. Now he was the most honored of all his family.
THE MESSAGE
The young man was so smitten with Jacob's daughter that he proceeded to do what had been asked. He was also the most admired son in his father's family.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
The young man did not delay to do the thing, because he was delighted with Jacob's daughter. Now he was more respected than all the household of his father.

Contextual Overview

18 Their offer pleased Hemor, and Sichem, his son: 19 And the young man made no delay, but forthwith fulfilled what was required: for he loved the damsel exceedingly, and he was the greatest man in all his father’s house. 20 And going into the gate of the city, they spoke to the people: 21 These men are peaceable, and are willing to dwell with us: let them trade in the land, and till it, which being large and wide wanteth men to till it: we shall take their daughters for wives, and we will give them ours. 22 One thing there is for which so great a good is deferred: We must circumcise every male among us, following the manner of the nation. 23 And their substance, and cattle, and all that they possess, shall be ours; only in this let us condescend, and by dwelling together, we shall make one people. 24 And they all agreed, and circumcised all the males.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

because: Genesis 29:20, Song of Solomon 8:6, Isaiah 62:4

honourable: Genesis 41:20, Numbers 22:15, 1 Samuel 22:14, 2 Kings 5:1, 1 Chronicles 4:9, Isaiah 3:3-5, Isaiah 5:13, Isaiah 23:8, Isaiah 23:9, Acts 13:50, Acts 17:12

Reciprocal: Esther 2:14 - delighted Mark 10:21 - loved

Cross-References

Genesis 29:20
So Jacob served seven years for Rachel: and they seemed but a few days, because of the greatness of his love.
Genesis 34:3
And his soul was fast knit unto her; and whereas she was sad, he comforted her with sweet words.
Genesis 34:5
But when Jacob had heard this, his sons being absent, and employed in feeding the cattle, he held his peace till they came back.
Genesis 34:8
And Hemor spoke to them: The soul of my son Sichem has a longing for your daughter: give her him to wife:
Genesis 34:9
And let us contract marriages one with another: give us your daughters, and take you our daughters.
Genesis 41:20
And they devoured and consumed the former,
Numbers 22:15
Then he sent many more and more noble than he had sent before:
1 Samuel 22:14
And Achimelech answering the king, said: And who amongst all thy servants is so faithful as David, who is the king’s son in law, and goeth forth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thy house?
2 Kings 5:1
Naaman, general of the army, of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable: for by him the Lord gave deliverance to Syria: and he was a valiant man, and rich, but a leper.
1 Chronicles 4:9
And Jabes was more honourable than any of his brethren, and his mother called his name Jabes, saying: Because I bore him with sorrow.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And the young man deferred not to do the thing,.... To be circumcised himself, and to get all the males of the city circumcised; he delayed not a moment, but made all the haste he could to get it accomplished:

because he had delight in Jacob's daughter; he really loved her, and delighted in her person and company: it was not the effect of a brutish lust, but a true affection he bore to her, that he desired her in marriage:

and he [was] more honourable than all the house of his father; for though he had done a base thing in defiling Jacob's daughter, yet in this he was honourable, that he sought to marry her, and to do any thing that was in his power to recompence the injury; and he was honourable in keeping covenant and compact with men; and was honest, upright, and sincere, to fulfil the condition imposed on him, and he had agreed to, as well as he was in greater esteem among the citizens than any of his father's house, which made it the more easy to him to get their consent to be circumcised; they having a very high and honourable opinion of him, and ready to oblige him in anything they could.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

- Dinah’s Dishonor

This chapter records the rape of Dinah and the revenge of her brothers.

Genesis 34:1-5

Dinah went out to see the daughters of the land. The Jewish doctors of a later period fix the marriageable age of a female at twelve years and a day. It is probable that Dinah was in her thirteenth year when she went out to visit the daughters of the land. Six or seven years, therefore, must have been spent by Jacob between Sukkoth, where he abode some time, and the neighborhood of Shekerm, where he had purchased a piece of ground. If we suppose Dinah to have been born in the same year with Joseph, who was in his seventeenth year at the time of his being sold as a bondslave Genesis 37:2, the events of this chapter must have occurred in the interval between the completion of her twelfth and that of her sixteenth year. “Shekem.” This name is hereditary in the family, and had taken hold in the locality before the time of Abraham. The Hivite was a descendant of Kenaan. We find this tribe now occupying the district where the Kenaanite was in possession at a former period Genesis 12:6. “Spake to the heart of the damsel.” After having robbed her of her honor, he promises to recognize her as his wife, provided he can gain the consent of her relatives. “Shekem spake unto his father Hamor.” He is in earnest about this matter. “Jacob held his peace.” He was a stranger in the land, and surrounded by a flourishing tribe, who were evidently unscrupulous in their conduct.

Genesis 34:6-17

A conference takes place between the parties. Hamer and Jacob, the parents on both sides, are the principals in the negotiation. The sons of Jacob, being brothers of the injured damsel, are present, according to custom. “Wrought fully in Israel;” a standing phrase from this time forward for any deed that was contrary to the sanctity which ought to characterize God’s holy people. Israel is used here to designate the descendants of Israel, the special people. Hamer makes his proposal. “Shekem, my son.” These words are a nominative pendent, for which “his soul” is substituted. He proposes a political alliance or amalgamation of the two tribes, to be sealed and actually effected by intermarriage. He offers to make them joint-possessors of the soil, and of the rights of dwelling, trading, and acquiring property. Shekem now speaks with becoming deference and earnestness.

He offers any amount of dowry, or bridal presents, and of gift to the mother and brothers of the bride. It must be acknowledged that the father and the son were disposed to make whatever amends they could for the grievous offence that had been committed. The sons of Jacob answer with deceit. They are burning with resentment of the wrong that “ought not to have been done,” and that cannot now be fully repaired. Yet they are in presence of a superior force, and therefore, resort to deceit. “And spake.” This goes along with the previous verb “answered,” and is meant to have the same qualification “with deceit.” The last clause of the verse then assigns the cause of this deceitful dealing. Their speech, for the matter of it, is reasonable. They cannot intermarry with the uncircumcised. Only on condition that every male be circumcised will they consent. On these terms they promise to “become one people” with them. Otherwise they take their daughter, and depart. Our daughter. They here speak as a family or race, and therefore, call Dinah their daughter, though her brothers are the speakers.

Genesis 34:18-24

Hamor and Shekem accept the terms, and immediately proceed to carry them into effect. It is testified of Shekem, that he delayed not to do the thing, and that he was more honorable than all his house. They bring the matter before their fellow-citizens, and urge them to adopt the rite of circumcision, on the ground that the men are peaceable, well-conducted, and they and their cattle and goods would be a valuable addition to the common wealth of their tribe. Hence, it appears that the population was still thin, that the neighboring territory was sufficient for a much larger number than its present occupants, and that a tribe found a real benefit in an accession to his numbers. The people were persuaded to comply with the terms proposed. There is nothing said here of the religious import of the rite, or of any diversity of worship that may have existed between the two parties. But it is not improbable that the Shekemites were prepared for mutual toleration, or even for the adoption of the religion of Israel in its external forms, though not perhaps to the exclusion of their own hereditary customs. It is also possible that the formal acknowledgment of the one true God was not yet extinct. Circumcision has been in use among the Egyptians, Colchians (Herodotus ii. 104), and other eastern nations; but when and how introduced we are not informed. The present narrative points out one way in which it may have spread from nation to nation.

Genesis 34:25-31

Simon and Levi, at the head no doubt of all their father’s men, now fall upon the Shekemites, when feverish with the circumcision, and put them to the sword. Simon and Levi were the sons of Leah, and therefore, full brothers of Dinah. If Dinah was of the same year as Joseph, they would be respectively seven and six years older than she was. If she was in her thirteenth year, they would therefore, be respectively in their twentieth and nineteenth years, and therefore, suited by age and passion for such an enterprise. All the sons of Jacob joined in the sacking of the city. They seized all their cattle and goods, and made captives of their wives and little ones. Jacob is greatly distressed by this outrage, which is equally contrary to his policy and his humanity. He sets before his sons, in this expostulation, the danger attendant upon such a proceeding. The “Kenaanite and the Perizzite,” whom Abraham found in the land on his return from Egypt Genesis 13:7. “I am a few men” - men of number that might easily be counted. I here denotes the family or tribe with all its dependents. When expanded, therefore, it is, “I and my house.” Simon and Levi have their reply. It justifies the retribution which has fallen on the Shekemites for this and all their other crimes. But it does not justify the executioners for taking the law into their own hands, or proceeding by fraud and indiscriminate slaughter. The employment of circumcision, too, which was the sign of the covenant of grace, as a means of deception, was a heinous aggravation of their offence.


 
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