King James Version

What Does Genesis 34:7 Mean?

Genesis 34:7 in the King James Version says “And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, beca...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.”

Genesis 34:7 · KJV

Context

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.

7

And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.

8

And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.

9

And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you.

Read Genesis 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they 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.

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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 deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וּבְנֵ֨י1 of 22

“And the sons”

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

יַעֲקֹ֔ב2 of 22

“of Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

בָּ֤אוּ3 of 22

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מִן4 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַשָּׂדֶה֙5 of 22

“out of the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

כְּשָׁמְעָ֔ם6 of 22

“when they heard”

H8085

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

וַיִּֽתְעַצְּבוּ֙7 of 22

“were grieved”

H6087

properly, to carve, i.e., fabricate or fashion

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים8 of 22
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַיִּ֥חַר9 of 22

“wroth”

H2734

to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

לָהֶ֖ם10 of 22
H0
מְאֹ֑ד11 of 22

“and they were very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

כִּֽי12 of 22
H3588

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

נְבָלָ֞ה13 of 22

“folly”

H5039

foolishness, i.e., (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment

יֵֽעָשֶֽׂה׃14 of 22

“because he had wrought”

H6213

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

בְיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל15 of 22

“in Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לִשְׁכַּב֙16 of 22

“in lying”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

אֶת17 of 22
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בַּֽת18 of 22

“daughter”

H1323

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

יַעֲקֹ֔ב19 of 22

“of Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וְכֵ֖ן20 of 22
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

לֹ֥א21 of 22
H3808

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

יֵֽעָשֶֽׂה׃22 of 22

“because he had wrought”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest 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 34:7 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 34:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 7:15Judges 20:6Deuteronomy 22:21Hebrews 13:4Genesis 20:9Deuteronomy 23:17

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