King James Version

What Does Genesis 34:24 Mean?

Genesis 34:24 in the King James Version says “And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumci... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

Genesis 34:24 · KJV


Context

22

Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised.

23

Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.

24

And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

25

And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.

26

And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out. edge: Heb. mouth


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and eve... 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. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיִּשְׁמְע֤וּ1 of 17

hearkened

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶל2 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֲמוֹר֙3 of 17

And unto Hamor

H2544

chamor, a canaanite

וְאֶל4 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שְׁכֶ֣ם5 of 17
H7928

shekem, the name of a hivite and two israelites

בְּנ֔וֹ6 of 17

his son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

כָּל7 of 17
H3605

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

יֹֽצְאֵ֖י8 of 17

all that went out

H3318

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

שַׁ֥עַר9 of 17

of the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

עִירֽוֹ׃10 of 17

of his city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וַיִּמֹּ֙לוּ֙11 of 17

was circumcised

H4135

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

כָּל12 of 17
H3605

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

זָכָ֔ר13 of 17

and every male

H2145

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

כָּל14 of 17
H3605

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

יֹֽצְאֵ֖י15 of 17

all that went out

H3318

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

שַׁ֥עַר16 of 17

of the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

עִירֽוֹ׃17 of 17

of his city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)


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 34:24 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 34:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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