King James Version

What Does Genesis 34:4 Mean?

Genesis 34:4 in the King James Version says “And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.”

Genesis 34:4 · KJV

Context

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

4

And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.

5

And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.

6

And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.

Read Genesis 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.... 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 should this truth about Simeon and Levi's Revenge shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
לֵאמֹ֑ר1 of 12

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁכֶ֔ם2 of 12
H7928

shekem, the name of a hivite and two israelites

אֶל3 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֲמ֥וֹר4 of 12

“Hamor”

H2544

chamor, a canaanite

אָבִ֖יו5 of 12

“unto his father”

H1

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

לֵאמֹ֑ר6 of 12

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

קַֽח7 of 12

“Get”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לִ֛י8 of 12
H0
אֶת9 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַיַּלְדָּ֥ה10 of 12

“me this damsel”

H3207

a lass

הַזֹּ֖את11 of 12
H2063

this (often used adverb)

לְאִשָּֽׁה׃12 of 12

“to wife”

H802

a woman

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 34:4 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 34:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 14:2Genesis 21:212 Samuel 13:13

Test Your Knowledge

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

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