Bible Strands
Genesis 34:11
Then Shechem said to Dinah’s father and brothers, “Grant me this favor, and I will give you whatever you ask.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Shechem addresses Dinah’s father and brothers immediately after offering them land and settlement rights. He makes this proposal to secure permission to marry her.
The words — The phrase אֶמְצָא חֵן (em.tza'- chen) literally means "let me find favor." It appears in Shechem’s plea to gain acceptance for his marriage request.
The thread — This phrasing parallels Jacob’s appeal to Esau in Genesis 33:15 and Abraham’s request to God in Genesis 18:3. Each instance places the speaker in a position of seeking grace from a superior or opposing party.
Why it lands — The text records Shechem offering unlimited material compensation to obtain Dinah. Readers must evaluate whether such generous terms serve mutual benefit or function as leverage to override refusal.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, Let me find grace in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give.
Cross-references
- Genesis 33:15 “Let me leave some of my people with you,” Esau said. But Jacob replied, “Why do that? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.”
- Genesis 18:3 “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by.