Bible Strands
Genesis 34:13
But because Shechem had defiled their sister Dinah, Jacob’s sons answered him and his father Hamor deceitfully.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob’s sons address Shechem and his father Hamor immediately after Shechem’s father proposes a marriage alliance, responding to the demand for a dowry.
The words — וַ/יַּעֲנ֨וּ (va/i.ya.'a.Nu) translates literally as “and they answered,” paired with the object markers אֶת\־ ('et-) pointing to Shechem and Hamor.
The thread — The pattern of speech masking true intent appears in Judges 15:3, where Samson declares himself blameless before striking, and 2 Samuel 13:23, where Absalom issues an invitation to the king’s sons under the guise of a celebration.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to recognize that covenant violation is often preceded by calculated language, and to evaluate the speaker’s stated motive against the actual outcome.
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 the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:
Cross-references
- Genesis 25:27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.
- Judges 15:3 Samson said to them, “This time I will be blameless in doing harm to the Philistines.”
- 2 Samuel 13:23 Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, he invited all the sons of the king.
- Job 13:4 You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.
- Job 13:7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?
- Psalms 12:2 They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
- Proverbs 12:13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.
- Proverbs 12:18 Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- Proverbs 24:28 Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.
- Proverbs 26:24 A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.