King James Version

What Does Genesis 34:15 Mean?

Genesis 34:15 in the King James Version says “But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;”

Genesis 34:15 · KJV

Context

13

And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:

14

And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:

15

But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;

16

Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.

17

But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.

Read Genesis 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;... 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. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
אַךְ1 of 11
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

בְּזֹ֖את2 of 11

“But in this”

H2063

this (often used adverb)

נֵא֣וֹת3 of 11

“will we consent”

H225

properly, to come, i.e., (implied) to assent

לָכֶ֑ם4 of 11
H0
אִ֚ם5 of 11
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תִּֽהְי֣וּ6 of 11
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כָמֹ֔נוּ7 of 11
H3644

as, thus, so

לְהִמֹּ֥ל8 of 11

“of you be circumcised”

H4135

to cut short, i.e., curtail (specifically the prepuce, i.e., to circumcise); by implication, to blunt; figuratively, to destroy

לָכֶ֖ם9 of 11
H0
כָּל10 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

זָכָֽר׃11 of 11

“unto you If ye will be as we be that every male”

H2145

properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)

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 34:15 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 34:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Galatians 4:12

Test Your Knowledge

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