INTRODUCTION:

(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV])
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV])
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

All of the studies found here, whether book studies or topical studies, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, nor lexicons, nor concordances, nor commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief, apostasy, and a falling away from God Himself. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and as the New Testament was for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc.

Tyndale Bible
Coverdale Bible
Matthew's Bible
Great Bible
Geneva Bible
Bishop's Bible
King James/Authorized Bible

There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:

(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(1 Thessalonians 2:13 [KJV])
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!

Start of study

Genesis Chapter 34:

(Genesis 34:1)
And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.

She is called both "the daughter of Leah" and "the daughter of Jacob", but not for the other children.
Dinah was special as the only girl, an apple of God's eye

The exception is:

(Genesis 46:8)
And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.

Even Joseph was not called like that and he was the favorite of Jacob:

(Genesis 37:3)
Jacob has pitched his tent here and bought land from the locals, but this is a little too close for safety sake

When arriving at a new place, exploration is the first thing on anyone's mind, and Dinah is no exception
"What is this place like?" "What are the people like here?" "Can I make some new friends?"
The Canaanites were not nice people as it was, and they were in Canaanite territory
Dinah had eleven brothers, so no female friends

(Genesis 30:21)
And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah.

(Genesis 34:2)
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.

Remember Jacob bought the land for the altar from this man
Apparently Dinah was prettier than the women of Shechem
Apparently also there was no self-control or laws or customs against this defiling
Prince of "the country" The country is Canaanite country
She was unattached, of different people, different culture and, in that culture, "fair game"
This is especially true when you are close to the chieftain off the village
Promiscuity abounded, so Dinah was in danger as it was
This is the "lust of the flesh"

(1 John 2:16)
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

(Genesis 34:3)
And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.

This is the "lust of the eyes"
After he violates her, then he loves her?
Even in these cultures there was a marriage process, herein violated
It was to first fall in love, second your parents ask for her hand to her father, third if approved, get married
This was especially so to the Jews, which marriage process was long, with the betrothal, and represents a perfect picture of the relationship between Christ and the Bride, His wife (Us)...we are in the betrothal period now, of an unknown, predetermined exact amount of time, only known to the Father-at least while Jesus was on earth

(Matthew 25:1)
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

(Genesis 34:4)
And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.

The lust of the eyes, the lust of the eyes complete
This is Shechem now turning to the "pride of life"
Children demanding of their parents......this can never be good

(Genesis 34:5)
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.

She was defiled, this was no accident this was rape
The anger inside of Jacob was building, much more so having to wait for his sons by himself, silently

(Genesis 34:6)
And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.

Hamor and Jacob have very little in common, especially now amity, community, mutual respect, etc.
Both Hamor and Shechem are present at this conversation (v.11)

(Genesis 34:7)
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.

What they heard was what Shechem did

(Genesis 34:8)
And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.

Knowing what his son did, this really just shows a careless dad and a culture of excused lust
There is no indication of an apology or asking for forgiveness, just asking for her hand in marriage?
The father obviously only cares about his son's needs rather than Jacob's daughter Dinah

(Genesis 34:9)
And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you.

The Jews were not to marry outsiders who were not believers, yet the attempts to pollute the line of the Messiah are going to be unceasing throughout her history.
There is no Law as of yet, but the Abrahamites know what God wants
Abraham knew the rules, Esau broke them
The sons and daughters being given to their enemies was actually a curse, not a practice

(Genesis 24:3)
And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

(Genesis 28:6)
When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;

(Genesis 36:2)
Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;

(Exodus 34:16)
And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.

A CURSE

(Deuteronomy 28:32)
Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand.

(Genesis 34:10)
And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein.

Financial incentive, or bribe?
Land and business, in a rich land which would later on be theirs

(Genesis 34:11)
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.

Both Hamor and Shechem are present at this conversation
Rich dads spend a lot to spoil their kids, often

(Genesis 34:12)
Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.

This is an open bribe
Whatever it takes to get Dinah for Shechem,

(Genesis 34:13-14)
And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister: And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:

They answered DECEITFULLY
The bribe is irrelevant and it is not a dowry to Jacob's sons
The family of Jacob has been shamed, disgraced by this fiasco.
To ask for her hand in marriage now is even more disgraceful that just the rape.
It is like pouring salt into open wounds
To take a bribe now would simply exacerbate the situation

REPROACH, v.t. [L. prox, in proximus.]

To censure in terms of opprobrium or contempt.
Mezentius with his ardor warm'd his fainting friends, reproach'd their shameful flight, repell'd the victors.
To charge with a fault in severe language.
That shame there sit not, and reproach us as unclean.
To upbraid; to suggest blame for any thing. A man's conscience will reproach him for a criminal, mean or unworthy action.
To treat with scorn or contempt. Luke 6.

REPROACH, n.

1. Censure mingled with contempt or derision; contumelious or opprobrious language towards any person; abusive reflections; as foul-mouthed reproach.
2. Shame; infamy; disgrace. Give not thine heritage to reproach. Joel 2. Isa 4.
Object of contempt, scorn or derision.
Come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we may be no more a reproach. Neh 2.
That which is the cause of shame or disgrace. Gen 30.

(Isaiah 4:1)
And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

(Joel 2:17)
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

(Genesis 34:15)
But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;

The covenant of the circumcision was given to Abraham, to Jews only
To do this meant nothing to a Canaanite, since they had no intention of joining the Jews' belief in God
It also meant nothing to the sons of Jacob, since they knew these Canaanites were not about to give up their religion, circumcised or not

(Genesis 17:10)
This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

(Genesis 34:16)
Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.

While this is currently a ruse, this is two things: A violation of God's Law, and a future thing Israel would often be happy to just do anyways

(Genesis 34:17)
But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.

A great manipulation technique, playing on their lusts
They want all of them circumcised, not just Shechem, or even him and his dad
Do the boys really plan on leaving without their father? No

(Genesis 34:18)
And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.

They either do not know what circumcision is or
They do know, and are so filled with lust that they will do anything to get Dinah
The enemy is using them to pollute Israel
God will use it to move Jacob out

(Genesis 34:19)
And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father.

When lust comes into a heart, the timeframe is always shortened
It would seem that Shechem is sincere about Dinah; or is it "just the lust"?

(Genesis 34:20-21)
And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying, These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

To this day, that same attitude continues........land for peace then, MORE land for peace, and so on
The enemy is never satisfied until Israel no longer exists but, thankfully, God will never let that happen
Trade, intermarrying, polluting the seed of Israel, peace, land, nothing ever changes

(Genesis 34:22)
Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised.

"This is all ya gotta do"
Add to the trade, intermarrying, polluting the seed of Israel, peace, land, nothing ever changes...UNITY!

(Genesis 34:23)
Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.

Trade, money (cattle, substance) , polluting the seed of Israel, land

(Genesis 34:24)
And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

This is the preparation for the final part of the plan.
This Hamor and Shechem apparently had some clout, which would explain the rape and then the command to "get for me to be my wife"
This is the pride and arrogance of power and influence

(Genesis 34:25)
And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.

Not that God excuses this execution without a trial, but really this shows the heart of man on both sides
Lust, pride, sin, rape
Deceit, malice, wrath, vengeance, death
They slew "all of the males..so add to that list above...blood lust.

(Romans 12:19)
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

(James 1:15)
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

(Genesis 34:26)
And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out.

This shows that they even handed Dinah over to Shechem and Hamor

(Genesis 34:27-29)
The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister. They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field, And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.

Deceit, malice, wrath, vengeance, death, blood lust, thievery, kidnapping
They lied, stole wealth, murdered, kidnapped
Would not God have just taken His own vengeance on Hamor, Shechem, the population of they had just let it go?
There was no command from God to do this, not from Jacob either

(Genesis 34:30)
And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

So on top of everything else, this now results in a people who previously were pagans, trying to pollute Israel, and who had no respect for the women of Israel, no wanting them gone and or dead.
These are not people under any law whose god was Holy, these are lawless people who have no desire to do what is right, but will now simply try to destroy Jacob and his family, because of two boys, Simeon and Levi
Jacob forgets that God has his back. He and his house will not be destroyed, ever.

(Genesis 34:31)
And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?

They have wiped out the men of the city, not just the man who raped their sister
This was not just personal, it was their personal crusade.

Links to studies by book or topic are on the top menu.

Genesis Chapter 35