Genesis

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NASB	Genesis 34:31 But they said, "Should he treat our sister as a harlot?"
AMPLIFIED 2015 2015	Genesis 34:31 But they said, "Should he [be permitted to] treat our sister as a prostitute?"

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Bible Question: How do we understand the ethical tangle in this chapter?

This chapter of Genesis is a compelling and strange tale. First, Shechem has sex with Dinah "by force." It would be nice to have Dinah's perspective, but we are not shown. I wonder if she was raped (as I first thought) or if the "force" is that they didn't seek Jacob's approval before having sex? It seems that Shechem has significant love for Dinah later in the story, as he is willing to give anything to marry her (including adult circumcission -- ouch!).

Once all the males are circumcized, the 2 brothers go and slaughter the weakened men. Is this retributive justice? Or should it be seen as going against their word (the agreement that Dinah could marry Shechem if the males were circumsized) ?

Jacob takes a stand against the slaughter of the men --- but does so for political rather than moral reasons (verse 30).

So, am I right in thinking that all parties have "fallen short of the glory of God"? When I see the intensity of Shechem's offer to do anything to marry Dinah, I can't help thinking there was an opportunity for grace in a way that would glorify God.

Bible Answer: Hi, Just Read Mark!

Have you noticed how hollow wood (my term for the entertainment industry) has always managed to romanticize every sort of perversion (violence --specially murder and rape, racism, adultery, drugs--inclusive of alcohol and tobacco products, prostitution, homosexuality, materialism, power (physical, political, financial)... there are cultures (groups of people) in the US and internationally that actually live by those standards!

Back then, as now, no man has the right to force himself on a woman--specially when he loves/lusts after her beauty!

Though we have only partial information on Dinah's rape, it is clearly understood that she was taken while in the company of other women, women who were subject of Shechem and would hold allegiance to him rather than to a stranger, and that after the rape she was not in high spirits--having had consensual sex with a prince, no doubt he would have bragged about his position, it would be logical for a woman of such morals to be content (specially after his attempt to woo her after the fact).

"It seems that Shechem has significant love for Dinah"

...this kind of love the world could do without... isn't that the excuse many wife/girlfriend beaters use for the harm (both physical and mental) that they cause their "loved" ones?

Love protects and cherishes... it never abuses and injures!

"Or should it be seen as going against their word (the agreement that Dinah could marry Shechem if the males were circumsized)"

Genesis 34:13 clearly states that they answered "deceitfully." This means that they had not intention in contracting any accords with the man who raped their sister nor with his people! Remember the Trojan Horse? Shechem and his people had declared war on Jacob and his children--one family against a whole city... they needed an edge!

"political rather than moral reasons"

Jacob did not sanction his sons for taking revenge upon those who assaulted his daughter... not just then! In the heat of the moment (Genesis 34:5), when he was first informed, it seems that he does not even mind that his daughter was raped! Prudence! What could an old man do against two or more men? Jacob waited patiently for his sons to return to his side and then he presented to them the situation!

Now, we know that only two of his sons committed the carnage (Levi and Simeon, Genesis 34:25)... these same two sons are given blessings reflecting their bloodshed! (Genesis 49:5-8)

"When I see the intensity of Shechem's offer to do anything to marry Dinah, I can't help thinking there was an opportunity for grace in a way that would glorify God."

I know that your words are well intended... but you must remember the situation and the Covenant under which Jacob and his sons lived (eye for an eye...). They were commanded by Yahweh Himself not to intermarry with pagans; they considered themselves to be of chaste and pure intent while the pagans were clearly not interested in worshipping their God but opportunistically forming a bond that would give them access to women they considred desirable; further, we must also take into account the consequences of doing nothing: this rape set the tone for their (the very few) status among the foreigners (the many)--they would be seen as excellent targets by all who wheeled power or money!

One question:

Would the desire/love not have been more evident if Shechem would have spoken to his father to make the necessary negotiations to secure Dinah as his wife, rather than to rape her and then offer her power and wealth, if she would consent to be his wife?

God Bless!

Angel

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Genesis

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