Definition: And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Genesis 34:13. It's a really important story about betrayal and how it leads to conflict. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: Jacob is a Man of Many Brothers: Jacob was the son of Isaac, and he had twelve sons – Shechem and Hamor. A Dispute Arises: There's a disagreement between Jacob’s brothers (Shechem and Hamor) about something that happened to Dinah, Jacob’s sister. They Betrayed Him: They deliberately spread lies about Jacob and tried to hurt him. They said he had defiled Dinah – meaning they made a false accusation of infidelity. What's Happening - It’s a Bit Darker Than Just a Simple Argument: The verse says, "And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:" This means: Jacob's brothers started spreading lies about Jacob. They accused him of something that wasn’t true – that he was having an affair with Dinah. Why is this significant? It Highlights Betrayal: It shows how people can lie and spread false accusations, even when they don't have a real reason to do so. It Creates Conflict: The lies lead to a struggle and conflict between Jacob’s brothers. Important Note: This passage is a little tricky because it's in an ancient text (Genesis). The story is about the beginnings of a much larger conflict in the Old Testament, which ultimately leads to God's plan for Israel to be saved. --- Do you want me to explain any of these points further? For example, would you like me to: Explain what "deceitfully" means in this context? Discuss why this story is important in the Bible?