King James Version

What Does Genesis 34:1 Mean?

Genesis 34:1 in the King James Version says “And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.”

Genesis 34:1 · KJV

Context

1

And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.

2

And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her. defiled: Heb. humbled her

3

And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel. kindly: Heb. to the heart of the damsel

Read Genesis 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַתֵּצֵ֤א1 of 10

“went out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

דִינָה֙2 of 10

“And Dinah”

H1783

dinah, the daughter of jacob

בִּבְנ֥וֹת3 of 10

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

לֵאָ֔ה4 of 10

“of Leah”

H3812

leah, a wife of jacob

אֲשֶׁ֥ר5 of 10
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָֽלְדָ֖ה6 of 10

“which she bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

לְיַֽעֲקֹ֑ב7 of 10

“unto Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

לִרְא֖וֹת8 of 10

“to see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בִּבְנ֥וֹת9 of 10

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

הָאָֽרֶץ׃10 of 10

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 34:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 34:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 30:21Jeremiah 2:36Genesis 46:151 Timothy 5:13Genesis 30:13Genesis 26:34

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 34 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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