Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.
Genesis 34:13-17
What is your word worth? I ask that because I saw the context of the conversation, Jacob's boys to Shechem, where it says they dealt with Shechem deceitfully. If I lie when dealing with people, my reputation suffers. I might win one battle, but the entire business may go under for a lack of another sucker. Word gets out when people fail to keep promises. I am not saying what will happen. I am saying that the lead up to the rest of the story has spoken of deceit.
The entire reading today is a condition under which Shechem could marry Dinah and a promise that they would be able to intermarry and live in peace. All males would need to undergo a procedure. I do not like the idea of injuring all of the men in an entire city. Then again, the first move was made by Shechem.
Today's reading
English
The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and his father Hamor deceitfully, because he had defiled their sister Dinah. They said to them, "We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a disgrace to us. Only on this condition will we agree with you — that you will become as we are by every male among you being circumcised. Then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to ourselves, and we will dwell with you and become one people. But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter, and we will be gone."
Hebrew
Info on each letter starting at the beginning
If you are just starting, my lessons are all here starting at Alef, adding vowels (the dots and lines) as we go. I explain the meaning of each letter and its numerical value. Just go to my blog and scroll to the bottom or click here
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