Read Genesis 34 here or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraph:
34:1-31 {p} Defilement with Canaanites
Today’s chapter concludes a Strong Theme:
32:3-33:17 {s} Jacob renamed Israel, “Upright of El”
33:18-20 {s} Jacob acquires property in the Land
34:1-31 {p} Defilement with Canaanites
The previous strong theme from Gen 26:1-32:2 showed us that Isaac’s life repeated events from Abraham’s, and then that Jacob’s life repeated events from Isaac’s. Something happened in this Strong Theme, though, that is not a repeat of either Abraham or Isaac. The Break in Pattern is that Jacob acquired property in the Land to dwell there. The only property Abraham and Isaac owned, was not for a dwelling place, but for a burial place. Abraham and Isaac were sojourners in the Land–they belonged to a different kingdom.
The History that Prophesies following Jacob acquiring property in the land to dwell there, is defilement with Canaanites–not only the rape of Dinah, but also Simeon and Levi’s sin of murder. It is a warning to us, that if we make this world our dwelling place, we will incur defilement. For Abraham and his seed, YHVH is to be our exceedingly great reward.
32:3-34:31 {s+s+p} Strong theme: Jacob’s faith in the promise tested (Esau, and Shechem)
If there are questions, these are good resources:
Shechem: Its Archaeological and Contextual Significance – Associates for Biblical Research
Gen 34:1-31, Defilement with Canaanites – Christine Miller
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