The Violation of Dinah

Now that Jacob has reconciled with his brother, he wants to settle in

the land of Canaan in peace. The word shalem, “safely” (Gen. 33:18,

NKJV), from the word shalom, “peace,” for the first time characterizes

his journey.

After having purchased a piece of land from the inhabitants (Gen.

33:19), he erects an altar there, showing his faith and his realization of

how dependent upon the Lord he really is. For every one of the sacri-

fices offered, there was an act of worship.

Yet, for the first time in his life, Jacob-Israel is exposed to the trou-

bles of settling in the land. Like Isaac at Gerar with Abimelech (Gen.

26:1–33), Jacob tries to find accommodation with the Canaanites.

Read Genesis 34. What happened to upset his plans for a peaceful

existence?

The story of this sordid incident highlights the ambiguity of the

characters and of their actions. The sensual Shechem, who violates

Dinah, also is characterized as sincere and loving Dinah, and he wants

to try to make amends. He is even willing to undergo the covenant rite

of circumcision.

Meanwhile, Simeon and Levi, who present themselves as the defend-

ers of God and His commandments, and who resist intermarriage with

the Canaanites (Lev. 19:29), resort to lies and deception (Gen. 34:13)

and are ready to kill and plunder (Gen. 34:25–27). Their actions were

not only reprehensible (why not punish the one man who had done it?)

but also had the potential to cause many more problems.

As for Jacob, he only is concerned with peace. When the rape of

his daughter is reported to him, he does not say anything (Gen. 34:5).

However, after he hears about what his sons have done, he openly

chides them because of what could follow: “ ‘You have troubled me by

making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the

Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will

gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed,

my household and I’ ” (Gen. 34:30, NKJV).

Again and again we see deceit and deception, as well as acts of

kindness and grace, in these accounts. What does this tell us

about human nature?