King James Version

What Does Genesis 34:19 Mean?

Genesis 34:19 in the King James Version says “And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable t...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 34:19 · KJV

Context

17

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

18

And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.

19

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.

20

And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,

21

These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

Read Genesis 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he w... 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 theological truths about Dinah's Defilement emerge from this passage?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְלֹֽא1 of 14
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֵחַ֤ר2 of 14

“deferred”

H309

to loiter (i.e., be behind); by implication to procrastinate

הַנַּ֙עַר֙3 of 14

“And the young man”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

לַֽעֲשׂ֣וֹת4 of 14

“not to do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הַדָּבָ֔ר5 of 14

“the thing”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

כִּ֥י6 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

חָפֵ֖ץ7 of 14

“because he had delight”

H2654

properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire

בְּבַֽת8 of 14

“daughter”

H1323

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

יַעֲקֹ֑ב9 of 14

“in Jacob's”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וְה֣וּא10 of 14
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

נִכְבָּ֔ד11 of 14

“and he was more honourable”

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

מִכֹּ֖ל12 of 14
H3605

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

בֵּ֥ית13 of 14

“than all the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אָבִֽיו׃14 of 14

“of his father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

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 34:19 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 34:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 5:1Song of Solomon 8:6Isaiah 5:131 Chronicles 4:9Isaiah 23:8-9Genesis 29:20

Test Your Knowledge

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

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 34 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes