1
Ἐξῆλθεν δὲ Δινα ἡ θυγάτηρ Λειας, ἣν ἔτεκεν τῷ Ιακωβ, καταμαθεῖν τὰς θυγατέρας τῶν ἐγχωρίων.
And Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob, went out to observe the daughters of the inhabitants.
The chapter opens in medias res with a single action that sets everything in motion: Dinah's going out. The adversative-continuative δέ links the episode to the preceding Shechem geography (33:18–20). The narrator identifies Dinah with full genealogical precision — daughter of Leah, born to Jacob — before stating her purpose, creating the calm before catastrophe.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
Ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (narrative action)→ constative aorist (single completed movement, precipitating the plot)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / come out'; the compound ἐξ- emphasises departure from an enclosed domain (the camp). The verb recurs at 34:6 (Hamor goes out) and 34:26 (Simeon and Levi go out after rescuing Dinah), forming a verbal frame around the episode.
δὲnownarrative particle (continuative-transitional)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΔιναDinahindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΔινα: LXX transliteration of דִּינָה (Dînāh); the name may mean 'judged' or 'vindicated.' Daughter of Jacob and Leah (Gen 30:21). She is the only named daughter of Jacob in the narrative tradition and appears only in this chapter and in the genealogies (Gen 46:15). The irony of a name meaning 'vindicated' in this chapter of violated honour is presumably intentional.
ἡtheNominativearticle (introducing appositive phrase)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγάτηρdaughterNominativenominative in apposition to Δινα→ participant prominenceθυγάτηρ: 'daughter'; the term is deployed with precision — θυγάτηρ Λειας marks Dinah's matrilineal identity, recalling the birth-notice of Gen 30:21. The repetition of the θυγ- root (θυγάτηρ here; θυγατέρας in the purpose clause) creates a quiet verbal irony: the daughter goes out to see the daughters.
Λειαςof LeahGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationΛεια: LXX form of לֵאָה (Lēʾāh); Jacob's first wife, mother of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. The matrilineal identification distinguishes Dinah from the sons of the handmaids and underscores the gravity of the assault on Leah's line.
ἣνwhomAccusativeaccusative relative pronoun, object of ἔτεκεν→ participant referenceἣν: meaning 'whom'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative relative pronoun, object of ἔτεκεν.
ἔτεκενshe boreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίκτωverb in relative clause (recapitulating birth notice of Gen 30:21)→ constative aorist (completed birth-event)τίκτω: 'bear / give birth'; the relative clause ἣν ἔτεκεν τῷ Ιακωβ is a compressed echo of the birth-record in Gen 30:21, grounding the narrative in the established genealogy before the crisis.
τῷtoDativearticle (with dative Ιακωβ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙακωβJacobindeclinable proper noun, dative of advantage ('bore to Jacob')→ participant identificationΙακωβ: LXX transliteration of יַעֲקֹב; the patriarch. His name (the 'heel-grasper' / deceiver, Gen 25:26) is the same root as the δόλος theme that will emerge at 34:13, when his sons answer with deceit — following their father's own genealogical character.
καταμαθεῖνto observeAor Act Inf · καταμανθάνωinfinitive of purpose→ constative aorist infinitive (intended single act of observation)καταμανθάνω: 'observe carefully / look over / inspect'; the compound κατα- adds a nuance of attentive scrutiny. Renders Hebrew לִרְאוֹת ('to see'); the LXX upgrades the simple verb to a compound, perhaps suggesting Dinah's purposeful curiosity rather than mere chance-seeing.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle with θυγατέρας→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατέραςdaughtersAccusativeaccusative object of καταμαθεῖν→ object specificationθυγατέρας: the object of Dinah's observation. The verbal echo of θυγάτηρ (v.1 apposition) is pointed: the daughter of Leah goes to see the daughters of the land.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐγχωρίωνinhabitantsGenitivegenitive of relationship ('daughters of the inhabitants of the land')→ relational specificationἐγχώριος: 'local / indigenous / native inhabitant'; renders Hebrew הָאָרֶץ ('of the land'). The term marks an ethnic-cultural boundary: the local population is Canaanite, and crossing that boundary to observe, and be observed, sets the narrative in motion.
2
Καὶ εἶδεν αὐτὴν Συχεμ υἱὸς Εμμωρ ὁ Χορραῖος ὁ ἄρχων τῆς γῆς, καὶ λαβὼν αὐτὴν ἐκοιμήθη μετ᾿ αὐτῆς καὶ ἐταπείνωσεν αὐτήν.
And Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the ruler of the land, saw her; and having taken her, he lay with her and humbled her.
The narrative moves with brutal economy: three verbs (εἶδεν, ἐκοιμήθη, ἐταπείνωσεν) enact the crime in a single paratactic cascade. Shechem's full credentials — son, ethnicity, title — are given before the action, marking this not as the deed of a nameless opportunist but of a known figure of civic authority. The triple identification heightens the outrage.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (first in crime sequence: seeing triggers assault)→ ingressive aorist (onset of the look that initiates the episode)ὁράω: 'see / behold'; the seeing of a woman that precipitates a sexual crime is a recurring Genesis pattern: cf. Gen 6:2 (the sons of God saw the daughters of men); Gen 12:14 (Pharaoh's men saw Sarai); Gen 39:7 (Potiphar's wife set eyes on Joseph).
αὐτὴνherAccusativeaccusative direct object of εἶδεν→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of εἶδεν.
ΣυχεμShechemindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΣυχεμ: LXX transliteration of שְׁכֶם (Šeḵem); the name denotes both the man and the city in whose territory Jacob's family is encamped (33:18–20). The city of Shechem is the cultic and political centre of central Canaan; its ruler's son acts against Jacob's family with impunity — an act the brothers will reverse with violent totality.
υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition to Συχεμ (patronymic)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the patronymic υἱὸς Εμμωρ identifies Shechem by lineage. In a social world structured by kinship, the patronymic is part of Shechem's legal identity.
ΕμμωρHamorindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (father)→ participant identificationΕμμωρ: LXX transliteration of חֲמוֹר (Ḥamôr, lit. 'donkey / male ass'). The name of the city's ruler carries ironic overtones for an ancient audience familiar with the Hebrew; the name recurs in the NT at Acts 7:16 (Ἐμμώρ).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ethnic designation)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧορραῖοςHiviteNominativenominative in apposition (ethnic designation)→ participant prominenceΧορραῖος: the LXX rendering of הַחִוִּי ('the Hivite'); Χορραῖος may conflate Hivites with Horites/Hurrians in certain manuscript traditions. The Hivites are a Canaanite subgroup (Gen 10:17); the ethnic label emphasises the cross-boundary nature of the assault.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with title ἄρχων)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄρχωνrulerNominativenominative in apposition (civic title)→ participant prominenceἄρχων: 'ruler / chief / prince'; renders Hebrew נְשִׂיא ('prince, leader'). The title marks Shechem's standing: the violation is committed not by an anonymous bystander but by the leading man of the region. His authority makes the crime doubly an affront and his subsequent proposal (via Hamor, 34:8ff.) diplomatically credible.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of relationship (domain of rule)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of relationship (domain of rule).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λαβὼνhaving takenAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λαμβάνωadverbial participle of attendant circumstance (preliminary to ἐκοιμήθη)→ constative aorist participle (completed seizure)λαμβάνω: 'take / seize / receive'; the participle λαβὼν αὐτήν before the main verb underscores the physical act of seizure that precedes the assault — the taking is a distinct act from the lying with.
αὐτὴνherAccusativeaccusative object of λαβών→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of λαβών.
ἐκοιμήθηlay with herAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κοιμάομαιmain verb (second in crime sequence: euphemism for intercourse)→ constative aorist (completed act)κοιμάομαι: 'sleep / lie down'; the phrase ἐκοιμήθη μετ᾿ αὐτῆς is a standard LXX euphemism for sexual intercourse (cf. Gen 19:33–35; 2 Sam 11:4; 13:14). The deponent passive form is used throughout the LXX for this idiom.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (comitative)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (comitative).
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (adding final element of the crime)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐταπείνωσενhumbled herAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ταπεινόωmain verb (third and climactic element: the legal-moral verdict on the act)→ constative aorist (completed violation and its consequence)ταπεινόω: 'humble / humiliate / bring low'; the pi'el of עָנָה (ʿinnâh) is the standard biblical Hebrew verb for sexual violation, and the LXX consistently renders it with ταπεινόω: cf. 2 Sam 13:12, 14, 22, 32 (Amnon and Tamar); Deut 22:24, 29 LXX. The choice of 'humble' rather than an explicit term for rape is both euphemistic and theologically pointed: the crime is a radical diminishment of Dinah's status and worth, an act of power-violence expressed as debasement.
αὐτήνherAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐταπείνωσεν→ participant referenceαὐτήν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of ἐταπείνωσεν.
3
Καὶ προσέσχεν τῇ ψυχῇ Δινας τῆς θυγατρὸς Ιακωβ καὶ ἠγάπησεν τὴν παρθένον καὶ ἐλάλησεν κατὰ τὴν διάνοιαν τῆς παρθένου αὐτῇ.
And he became attached in his soul to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the maiden, and he spoke to her according to the maiden's heart.
The verse is subordinate to v.2's action in the sense that it explains what follows rather than advancing the plot. The soul-attachment (προσέσχεν τῇ ψυχῇ) is the LXX's rendering of the Hebrew dābaq ('cleave') — the language of the deepest bonding — applied here to a violator's obsessive attachment. The triple καί-chain (attached, loved, spoke) mirrors the triple crime-chain of v.2, but the emotional register is entirely reversed.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσέσχενbecame attachedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσέχωmain verb (first in the emotional sequence)→ ingressive aorist (onset of sustained attachment)προσέχω: lit. 'hold toward / apply to'; with the dative τῇ ψυχῇ the construction means 'he clung with his soul to Dinah.' The LXX renders Hebrew וַתִּדְבַּק נַפְשׁוֹ בְּדִינָה (his soul clung to Dinah); דָּבַק ('cleave') is the covenant-bonding word of Gen 2:24 (a man shall cleave to his wife) and Ruth 1:14 (ἐκολλήθη). The LXX uses the less exact προσέχω rather than κολλάω, slightly muting the resonance, but the soul-language (ψυχή) preserves the depth.
τῇto theDativearticle (dative of reference/sphere with ψυχῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχῇsoulDativedative of reference / sphere ('clung with respect to the soul')→ sphere or referenceψυχή: 'soul / self / life'; renders Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ. The phrase 'his soul clung to Dinah' is a Hebraism indicating the totality of Shechem's attachment — not merely physical desire but the whole self.
Διναςof Dinahindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (object of soul-attachment)→ participant identificationΔινας: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (object of soul-attachment).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with θυγατρός)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατρὸςdaughterGenitivegenitive in apposition to Δινας→ relational specificationθυγάτηρ: again — the third use of this root in three verses (θυγάτηρ Λειας, v.1; θυγατέρας, v.1; θυγατρός, v.3). The narrator keeps Dinah's relational identity in view.
ΙακωβJacobindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (Dinah's father)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (Dinah's father).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (second element)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἠγάπησενlovedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀγαπάωmain verb (second emotional element)→ constative aorist (completed state of love)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the same verb used of Jacob's love for Rachel (Gen 29:18, 20, 30) and of Shechem's father Hamor in the same type-scene economy. The LXX uses ἀγαπάω rather than ἐράω, keeping the register elevated; but the context — post-violation love — creates a disturbing irony.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρθένονmaidenAccusativeaccusative object of ἠγάπησεν→ object specificationπαρθένος: 'maiden / virgin'; the narrator's use of παρθένος after the ἐταπείνωσεν of v.2 is pointed: the word her violator applies to her (v.3 twice) preserves the status-language that his own action has undermined. The dissonance is deliberate.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (third element)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (third emotional element: tender speech)→ constative aorist (completed act of speaking)λαλέω: 'speak'; the phrase ἐλάλησεν κατὰ τὴν διάνοιαν τῆς παρθένου αὐτῇ renders Hebrew וַיְדַבֵּר עַל־לֵב הַנַּעֲרָה ('he spoke to the heart of the girl'), the idiomatic expression for comforting, persuasive speech (cf. Gen 50:21; Judg 19:3; Isa 40:2 LXX).
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (manner: 'in keeping with / to')→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (manner: 'in keeping with / to').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διάνοιανmindAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (Hebraism: 'to the heart of')→ object specificationδιάνοια: 'mind / understanding / disposition'; renders Hebrew לֵב ('heart'). The phrase κατὰ τὴν διάνοιαν is a Hebraism calquing עַל־לֵב — a common idiom for tender, comforting speech addressed to someone's inner person. The LXX translator renders the idiom with the closest functional Greek equivalent.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρθένουmaidenGenitivegenitive of reference ('to the heart of the maiden')→ relational specificationπαρθένου: meaning 'maiden'; it serves as genitive of reference ('to the heart of the maiden').
αὐτῇto herDativedative indirect object of ἐλάλησεν→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'to her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object of ἐλάλησεν.
4
Καὶ εἶπεν Συχεμ πρὸς Εμμωρ τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ λέγων· Λάβε μοι τὴν παῖδα ταύτην εἰς γυναῖκα.
And Shechem said to Hamor his father: 'Take me this girl as a wife.'
Shechem moves from feeling to action by petitioning his father — the appropriate channel in a patriarchal society. The brevity of the petition (one imperative clause) underscores Shechem's urgency and his assumption that his father will comply. The form of the request — Λάβε μοι — places the initiative and labour of acquisition with Hamor, casting Shechem as the beneficiary rather than the agent.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing direct speech)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΣυχεμShechemindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΣυχεμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (directional: addressee of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: addressee of speech).
ΕμμωρHamorindeclinable proper noun, object of πρός (addressee)→ participant identificationΕμμωρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, object of πρός (addressee).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πατέρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Εμμωρ (relational identifier)→ object specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the apposition τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ reminds the reader of the proper channel: Shechem appeals to his father as the negotiating agent, consistent with ancient Near Eastern marriage customs in which the father arranges and negotiates the match.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (pronoun)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (pronoun).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech (standard LXX formula)→ durative / progressive participle (ongoing act of speech)λέγων: the formula εἶπεν … λέγων calques the Hebrew וַיֹּאמֶר … לֵאמֹר, the standard speech-introduction formula of the Hebrew narrative; the LXX translates it redundantly rather than condensing it.
ΛάβεtakeAor Act Imper 2 Sg · λαμβάνωimperative (urgent petition to father)→ constative aorist imperative (urgent request for single act)λαμβάνω: 'take / acquire'; Λάβε μοι τὴν παῖδα renders the Hebrew marriage-acquisition idiom קַח־לִי ('take for me'). The dative μοι marks the purpose: for Shechem's benefit. The use of λαμβάνω here is ironic in context — v.2 used λαβὼν of the seizure-and-violation; now Shechem asks his father to 'take' Dinah through legitimate negotiation.
μοιfor meDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'for me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδαgirlAccusativeaccusative object of Λάβε→ object specificationπαῖς (f.): 'girl / child / young servant'; a term of relative affection and tenderness compared to the more neutral γυνή or νεᾶνις. Shechem's choice of παῖς frames Dinah as an object of gentle regard — a stark contrast with the violence of v.2.
ταύτηνthisAccusativeaccusative demonstrative pronoun (attributive to παῖδα)→ participant referenceταύτην: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative demonstrative pronoun (attributive to παῖδα).
εἰςaspreposition + accusative (predicate: 'to be / as')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (predicate: 'to be / as').
γυναῖκαwifeAccusativeaccusative predicate complement (εἰς γυναῖκα = as a wife — Hebraism of לְאִשָּׁה)→ object specificationγυνή: 'woman / wife'; the formula εἰς γυναῖκα renders the Hebrew לְאִשָּׁה ('as a wife'), the standard marriage-acquisition idiom (Gen 24:4; 27:46; Deut 22:13). Shechem asks for legitimate marriage — the same outcome he tried to achieve through violation.
5
Ιακωβ δὲ ἤκουσεν ὅτι ἐμίανεν Συχεμ Δινα τὴν θυγατέρα αὐτοῦ· οἱ δὲ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ ἦσαν μετὰ τῶν κτηνῶν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ· καὶ ἐσιώπησεν Ιακωβ ἕως τοῦ ἐλθεῖν αὐτούς.
And Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled Dinah his daughter; and his sons were with his cattle in the field; and Jacob kept silent until they came.
The verse pivots to Jacob's perspective with a contrastive δέ. Three clauses in paratactic sequence: hearing, sons absent, silence. The structural centre is Jacob's ἐσιώπησεν — he holds his counsel while awaiting his sons. Whether this silence signals wisdom, shock, or the same patriarchal passivity that marks his non-response to the rape of Bilhah (Gen 35:22) is left ambiguous. The narrator records the fact without comment.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
ΙακωβJacobindeclinable proper noun, subject (fronted for contrast)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject (fronted for contrast).
δὲandnarrative particle (contrastive: shifting to Jacob's perspective)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤκουσενheardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (Jacob's reception of the news)→ constative aorist (completed hearing)ἀκούω: 'hear / learn'; the verb matches ἤκουσαν of v.7 (the brothers also hear), creating a structural parallel — patriarch and brothers both receive the same report but respond very differently.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect content (ὅτι-recitative)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐμίανενdefiledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μιαίνωverb in ὅτι-clause (content of Jacob's hearing)→ constative aorist (completed defilement)μιαίνω: 'defile / pollute / stain'; the LXX's cultic-purity vocabulary applied to sexual violation; the same root recurs at vv.13, 27. The term frames the offence in ritual as well as moral categories: Shechem has rendered Dinah ritually impure. The brothers later use this exact word (v.27) as justification for plundering the city.
ΣυχεμShechemindeclinable proper noun, subject of ἐμίανεν→ participant identificationΣυχεμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject of ἐμίανεν.
ΔιναDinahindeclinable proper noun, object of ἐμίανεν→ participant identificationΔινα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, object of ἐμίανεν.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with θυγατέρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατέραdaughterAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Δινα (relational identifier)→ object specificationθυγάτηρ: the fourth use of the θυγ- root in five verses; the narrator keeps insisting on Dinah's identity as daughter, ensuring the violation registers as an assault on family structure.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (Jacob's daughter)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (Jacob's daughter).
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲandnarrative particle (continuing circumstantial clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἦσαν (circumstantial clause)→ participant prominenceυἱός: the sons — who will be the agents of the reprisal — are noted as absent, in the field; this sets up both their delayed reaction and the force of their eventual response.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (Jacob's sons)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (Jacob's sons).
ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb of circumstantial clause (ongoing background state)→ progressive imperfect (continuous state at time of Jacob's hearing)εἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦσαν with the perfect participle ἠτιμασμένοι forms a periphrastic pluperfect-like construction ('had been / were in a state of being dishonored'), stressing the men's continuing condition of shame.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (comitative)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (comitative).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτηνῶνcattleGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationκτῆνος: 'livestock / cattle'; renders Hebrew הַמִּקְנֶה; Jacob's sons are out with the flocks — the pastoral economy of a nomadic family encamped near a city.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πεδίῳfieldDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceπεδίον: 'plain / open field'; renders Hebrew שָּׂדֶה; the sons are out of earshot and reach, explaining Jacob's delay before any family conference can occur.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential: Jacob's response)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐσιώπησενkept silentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σιωπάωmain verb (Jacob's decisive non-action)→ constative aorist (completed episode of silence)σιωπάω: 'be silent / keep quiet'; Jacob's silence is the most interpreted feature of his characterisation in this chapter. Commentators divide: is it shock, prudence, or failure of fatherly duty? The narrator simply records it. The same root is used at 2 Sam 13:20, when Absalom tells the violated Tamar to 'hold her peace' — silence enforced on the victim; here it is the patriarch who chooses silence.
ΙακωβJacobindeclinable proper noun, subject (resumed after intervening clause)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject (resumed after intervening clause).
ἕωςuntilconjunction + articular infinitive (temporal: 'until they came')→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: meaning 'until'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with infinitive (genitive articular infinitive after ἕως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλθεῖνcomingAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιarticular infinitive (temporal limit of silence)→ constative aorist infinitiveἔρχομαι: 'come'; the articular infinitive ἕως τοῦ ἐλθεῖν με ('until my coming') marks the endpoint of Saul's wait.
αὐτούςthemAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive (the sons)→ participant referenceαὐτούς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of infinitive (the sons).
6
Ἐξῆλθεν δὲ Εμμωρ ὁ πατὴρ Συχεμ πρὸς Ιακωβ λαλῆσαι αὐτῷ.
And Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him.
A brief transitional verse signalling that the Hivite side acts first diplomatically. The verb ἐξῆλθεν echoes v.1 (Dinah went out) — same verb, opposite direction, now the father of the perpetrator moving toward the father of the victim. The verse establishes that what follows (vv.8–12) is a formal diplomatic exchange, not a casual encounter.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
Ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (narrative action)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: verbal echo of v.1 (Dinah ἐξῆλθεν); now it is Hamor who goes out — this time to negotiate the aftermath of his son's crime.
δὲandnarrative particle (transitional)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΕμμωρHamorindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΕμμωρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with πατήρ)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατὴρfatherNominativenominative in apposition to Εμμωρ (relational title)→ participant prominenceπατήρ: 'father'; Hamor is consistently identified as 'father of Shechem' — his diplomatic mission is explicitly paternal, acting on his son's behalf within the social norms of arranged marriage.
Συχεμof Shechemindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (son)→ participant identificationΣυχεμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (son).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (directional: to Jacob)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: to Jacob).
ΙακωβJacobindeclinable proper noun, object of πρός (destination)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, object of πρός (destination).
λαλῆσαιto speakAor Act Inf · λαλέωinfinitive of purpose→ constative aorist infinitive (stated intent of the journey)λαλέω: 'speak / converse'; the purpose infinitive λαλῆσαι αὐτῷ frames Hamor's initiative as legitimate discourse — he comes to speak, not to threaten. The verb anticipates the speech of vv.8–10.
αὐτῷwith himDativedative indirect object of λαλῆσαι (the person addressed)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'with him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object of λαλῆσαι (the person addressed).
7
Οἱ δὲ υἱοὶ Ιακωβ ἦλθον ἐκ τοῦ πεδίου· ὡς δὲ ἤκουσαν, κατενύχθησαν οἱ ἄνδρες καὶ λυπηρὸν ἦν αὐτοῖς σφόδρα, ὅτι ἄσχημον ἐποίησεν ἐν Ισραηλ κοιμηθεὶς μετὰ τῆς θυγατρὸς Ιακωβ, καὶ οὐχ οὕτως ἔσται.
And the sons of Jacob came in from the field; and when they heard, the men were deeply grieved and it was very painful to them, because he had done an unseemly thing in Israel by lying with the daughter of Jacob — and it shall not be so.
The verse is the theological hinge of the chapter's opening section. The brothers' emotional response is given in two complementary terms: κατενύχθησαν (pierced with grief) and λυπηρόν (painful). The narrator then steps forward with his own juridical verdict using the first-in-the-Bible 'unseemly thing in Israel' formula (ἄσχημον ἐν Ισραηλ), grounding the moral outrage in the collective identity of the nascent people. The closing οὐχ οὕτως ἔσται is a strong proscriptive assertion.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
ΟἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί)→ noun-phrase markingΟἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲandnarrative particle (transitional: new scene with brothers arriving)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject.
Ιακωβof Jacobindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship.
ἦλθονcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (narrative action: arrival)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθον): 'come / go'; the messengers carry Saul's promise back to the besieged city.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (ablative: point of departure)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative: point of departure).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πεδίουfieldGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (place of origin)→ relational specificationπεδίον: verbal echo of v.5 (sons were ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ); now they come ἐκ τοῦ πεδίου — completing the movement the narrator announced.
ὡςwhentemporal conjunction ('when / as soon as')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: meaning 'when'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δὲandparticle (with ὡς: continuative in temporal clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤκουσανthey heardAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωverb in temporal clause→ constative aoristἀκούω: verbal echo of v.5 (Jacob ἤκουσεν); now the brothers hear the same report. The parallel ἤκουσεν / ἤκουσαν sets up the contrast between Jacob's silence and the brothers' explosive reaction.
κατενύχθησανwere deeply grievedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κατανύσσομαιmain verb (first emotional response: piercing grief)→ constative aorist (onset and completion of the emotion)κατανύσσομαι: 'be pierced / stricken / cut to the heart'; a compound of νύσσω ('pierce'); the passive is strong — the brothers are struck as if by a blow. Renders Hebrew וַיִּתְעַצְּבוּ ('were grieved / distressed'). The same root appears at Acts 2:37 (κατενύγησαν τῇ καρδίᾳ, 'they were cut to the heart' by Peter's sermon) — shared vocabulary of deep moral distress.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνδρες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (repeated for emphasis after temporal clause)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man / husband'; the term οἱ ἄνδρες designates the brothers as men of standing, heads of households — those for whom the violation of their sister is a matter of honour and legal obligation.
καὶandconnective (adding second emotional element)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λυπηρὸνpainfulNominativepredicate adjective (with ἦν: 'it was painful')→ participant prominenceλυπηρός: 'painful / grievous'; an adjective from λύπη ('pain / grief'); renders Hebrew רַע מְאֹד ('very evil / very grievous'). The LXX softens the ethical register slightly — 'very painful' rather than 'very evil' — but σφόδρα preserves the intensity.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (predicate construction: 'it was very painful to them')→ progressive imperfect (ongoing state of pain)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of reference (those affected by the pain)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of reference (those affected by the pain).
σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (modifying λυπηρόν)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'exceedingly / very much'; the standard LXX intensifying adverb for מְאֹד; the word recurs at key emotional climaxes throughout Genesis (cf. Gen 6:5; 15:1; 17:2, 6, 20).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (ground for brothers' pain: the narrator's verdict)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'because'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἄσχημονunseemly thingAccusativeaccusative object of ἐποίησεν (adjective used substantively)→ object specificationἄσχημον: 'unseemly / shameful thing'; renders Hebrew נְבָלָה ('disgrace / outrage'). The expression ἄσχημον ἐποίησεν ἐν Ισραηλ is the LXX rendering of the Hebrew legal formula נְבָלָה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל עָשָׂה, which functions as a communal verdict on acts that violate the social-covenantal order of Israel. First attestation of this formula in the LXX; it recurs in the Tamar narrative (2 Sam 13:12: οὐ ποιηθήσεται οὕτως ἐν Ισραηλ) and the Gibeah outrage (Judg 20:6, 10 LXX). The anachronistic use of Ισραηλ (not yet a nation) is theologically deliberate.
ἐποίησενdidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of the causal clause (narrator's juridical verdict)→ constative aorist (completed act of violation assessed as communal crime)ποιέω: 'do / make / commit'; the formula ἄσχημον ἐποίησεν is a Hebraism of עָשָׂה נְבָלָה — 'commit a disgrace.' The choice of ποιέω for the juridical act is standard LXX usage for moral-legal offences (cf. Deut 22:21 LXX).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative / sphere: 'in Israel')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative / sphere: 'in Israel').
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper noun, locative dative (the community whose norms are violated)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the name of the covenant people used here (anachronistically by strict chronology) to situate the violation within a normative community. This is the first instance of the 'such-a-thing-is-not-done-in-Israel' formula in the biblical canon; it marks the offence as a disruption of communal identity, not merely a private wrong.
κοιμηθεὶςby lyingAor Pass Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · κοιμάομαιadverbial participle of means (how the unseemly thing was done)→ constative aorist participleκοιμάομαι: the same euphemism as v.2; the participle here gives the specific act that constitutes the ἄσχημον. The narrator specifies with the same vocabulary used of the crime itself.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (comitative)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (comitative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατρὸςdaughterGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationθυγάτηρ: fifth iteration of the θυγ- root — the narrator will not let the reader forget whose daughter Dinah is.
Ιακωβof Jacobindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship.
καὶandconnective (adding the narrator's proscriptive assertion)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐχnotnegation (with ἔσται)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐχ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
οὕτωςthusadverb (manner: 'it shall not be so')→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: meaning 'thus'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (narrator's proscriptive verdict)→ predictive future (normative prohibition)εἰμί: 'be'; the future tense here is a legal-normative assertion — 'such a thing ought not to be done / is not permitted among this people.' The formula καὶ οὐχ οὕτως ἔσται echoes the Hebrew וְכֵן לֹא יֵעָשֶׂה, the standard closing formula of the 'unseemly-thing-in-Israel' verdict (cf. 2 Sam 13:12).
8
Καὶ ἐλάλησεν Εμμωρ αὐτοῖς λέγων· Συχεμ ὁ υἱός μου προσέσχεν τῇ ψυχῇ τῆς θυγατρὸς ὑμῶν· δότε δὴ αὐτὴν αὐτῷ γυναῖκα.
And Hamor spoke to them, saying: 'Shechem my son has become attached in his soul to your daughter; give her to him as a wife, I pray.'
Hamor addresses the assembled family (αὐτοῖς = Jacob and his sons). His opening line repeats the soul-attachment formula of v.3 (προσέσχεν τῇ ψυχῇ), but now spoken by the father to the victim's family. The citation of Shechem's emotion as a justification for the marriage request is a remarkable rhetorical move: Hamor appeals to the depth of his son's feeling rather than conceding the gravity of the crime. The enclitic δή marks the petition as a polite but emphatic request.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (introducing Hamor's diplomatic speech)→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak / address'; the more formal λαλέω (rather than λέγω) is used here for official diplomatic discourse. The same verb appeared in v.6 (λαλῆσαι αὐτῷ) as the stated purpose of Hamor's going out — now fulfilled.
ΕμμωρHamorindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΕμμωρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative indirect object (Jacob and his sons as audience)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (Jacob and his sons as audience).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech (standard formula)→ progressive participleλέγω (pres. ptcp.): renders the quotative לֵאמֹר ('saying').
ΣυχεμShechemindeclinable proper noun, subject of inner clause→ participant identificationΣυχεμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject of inner clause.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with υἱός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱόςsonNominativenominative in apposition to Συχεμ (relational identifier)→ participant prominenceυἱός: Hamor defines Shechem relationally — 'my son' — appealing to the paternal bond he shares with Jacob; both are fathers, and Hamor implicitly invokes that common paternal interest.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship (possession: 'my son')→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (possession: 'my son').
προσέσχενis attachedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσέχωmain verb of Hamor's claim (soul-attachment formula, echoing v.3)→ constative aorist (resultant state: Shechem is still attached)προσέχω: verbal echo of v.3; Hamor repeats the verb his son's attachment was described with, converting a narrator's observation into a father's plea. The repetition of the soul-attachment language in a diplomatic speech is rhetorically pointed: Hamor makes his son's love the argument for granting the marriage.
τῇto theDativearticle (dative of reference)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχῇsoulDativedative of sphere/reference→ sphere or referenceψυχή: 'soul / self'; the soul-attachment formula of v.3 reproduced verbatim in Hamor's speech — a deliberate echo marking Hamor's rhetorical strategy.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατρὸςdaughterGenitivegenitive of relationship (Dinah, addressed to her family as 'your daughter')→ relational specificationθυγατρὸς: meaning 'daughter'; it serves as genitive of relationship (Dinah, addressed to her family as 'your daughter').
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (addressee's family)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (addressee's family).
δότεgiveAor Act Imper 2 Pl · δίδωμιimperative (petition: addressed to the whole family)→ constative aorist imperative (urgent, polite request)δίδωμι: 'give'; the central verb of the marriage negotiation — the girl is 'given' (δίδωμι) as a wife. The same verb will dominate vv.9, 12, 16, 21 — the giving of daughters back and forth as the proposed intermarriage is negotiated.
δὴI prayenclitic particle (softening imperative: polite emphasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: an enclitic particle adding urgency or entreaty to a request; in LXX narrative often translates Hebrew נָא, the particle of polite request. Here it softens the imperative δότε, converting a demand into an earnest petition.
αὐτὴνherAccusativeaccusative direct object of δότε (Dinah)→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of δότε (Dinah).
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object of δότε (Shechem)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object of δότε (Shechem).
γυναῖκαwifeAccusativeaccusative predicate complement (εἰς γυναῖκα construction without εἰς: 'as wife')→ object specificationγυνή: the marriage goal, stated directly. The absence of εἰς before γυναῖκα (contrast v.4) may reflect a slightly more compressed idiom but carries the same meaning.
9
Καὶ ἐπιγαμβρεύσασθε ἡμῖν· τὰς θυγατέρας ὑμῶν δότε ἡμῖν, καὶ τὰς θυγατέρας ἡμῶν λάβετε τοῖς υἱοῖς ὑμῶν.
And make marriage alliances with us; give us your daughters, and take our daughters for your sons.
Hamor moves from the particular petition (give Dinah to Shechem, v.8) to a comprehensive programme of mutual intermarriage. The verse is built on three balanced imperatives (ἐπιγαμβρεύσασθε, δότε, λάβετε) offering reciprocal exchange: daughters given and daughters taken. The proposal is framed as mutual benefit — no acknowledgment of the crime that precipitated this negotiation.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (continuing Hamor's speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιγαμβρεύσασθεmake marriage alliancesAor Mid Imper 2 Pl · ἐπιγαμβρεύομαιimperative (central diplomatic proposal: intermarriage programme)→ constative aorist imperative (invitation to enter a permanent relationship)ἐπιγαμβρεύομαι: 'make affinal alliances / intermarry'; a compound from γαμβρός ('son-in-law / brother-in-law'); renders Hebrew וְהִתְחַתְּנוּ ('and intermarry with us'). The verb encompasses the full range of affinal relationships — giving daughters and taking daughters. The LXX uses this verb at Gen 38:2 (Judah and the Canaanite) and Deut 7:3 (the prohibition of intermarriage with the nations) — an irony that would not be lost on a reader who knows the law.
ἡμῖνwith usDativedative of association (with ἐπιγαμβρεύσασθε)→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'with us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of association (with ἐπιγαμβρεύσασθε).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with θυγατέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατέραςdaughtersAccusativeaccusative direct object of δότε→ object specificationθυγάτηρ: the chapter's key word; Hamor now speaks of daughters in the plural — a programme, not a transaction.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
δότεgiveAor Act Imper 2 Pl · δίδωμιimperative (first direction of exchange: Jacob's family gives daughters)→ constative aorist imperativeδίδωμι: 'give'; the verb dominates the negotiation vocabulary of this chapter (vv.8, 9, 11, 12, 16, 21).
ἡμῖνto usDativedative indirect object of δότε→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'to us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object of δότε.
καὶandconnective (second direction of exchange)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατέραςdaughtersAccusativeaccusative direct object of λάβετε→ object specificationθυγατέρας: meaning 'daughters'; it serves as accusative direct object of λάβετε.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
λάβετεtakeAor Act Imper 2 Pl · λαμβάνωimperative (second direction of exchange: Jacob's sons take Shechemite wives)→ constative aorist imperativeλαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; the reciprocal structure δότε ἡμῖν / λάβετε frames the intermarriage as a fully symmetrical exchange of daughters.
τοῖςfor theDativearticle (with υἱοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative of advantage (for Jacob's sons)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: the sons who are Jacob's avengers are here envisioned as potential husbands of Shechemite women — the full irony of the brothers' subsequent stratagem is set up here.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
10
Καὶ ἐν ἡμῖν κατοικεῖτε· καὶ ἡ γῆ ἰδοὺ πλατεῖα ἐναντίον ὑμῶν· κατοικεῖτε καὶ ἐμπορεύεσθε ἐν αὐτῇ καὶ ἐγκτᾶσθε ἐν αὐτῇ.
And dwell among us; and behold, the land is wide before you; dwell and trade in it and acquire property in it.
Hamor broadens the offer from personal intermarriage to full territorial and economic integration. The threefold imperative sequence (κατοικεῖτε … ἐμπορεύεσθε … ἐγκτᾶσθε) is a comprehensive invitation: dwell, trade, acquire. The ἰδοὺ πλατεῖα formula echoes God's promises to the patriarchs about the breadth of the land (cf. Gen 13:17) — Hamor unwittingly uses the language of divine promise, offering what is not his to give.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (further element of proposal)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (locative: 'among us')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'among us').
ἡμῖνusDativedative object of ἐν (location of dwelling)→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐν (location of dwelling).
κατοικεῖτεdwellPres Act Imper 2 Pl · κατοικέωimperative (first element of the territorial offer)→ durative present imperative (invitation to ongoing residence)κατοικέω: 'dwell / settle / reside'; the verb of permanent settlement (κατα- intensifying: 'settle down in'). Hamor offers Jacob's family the right of residence — a significant legal concession in the ancient Near East where alien sojourn rights (παροικία) were distinct from full civic belonging.
καὶandconnective (introducing the land-breadth assurance)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with γῆ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆlandNominativesubject (of existential predicate: 'the land is wide')→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'land'; the land offered is the whole territory of Shechem, presented as wide and available.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (introducing exclamatory assertion)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδοὺ: 'behold / look'; the standard LXX particle calquing Hebrew הִנֵּה; draws attention to the following assertion as a vivid, here-and-now reality.
πλατεῖαwideNominativepredicate adjective (the land is wide)→ participant prominenceπλατεῖα: 'wide / broad / spacious'; renders Hebrew רַחֲבַת יָדַיִם ('broad of hands'); the breadth of the land is a recurring patriarchal-narrative motif (Gen 13:17; 26:22). Hamor uses a formula that resonates with the divine land-grant vocabulary — ironic in the mouth of a Canaanite ruler.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (spatial: 'before / in front of you')→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (spatial: 'before / in front of you').
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίον→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐναντίον.
κατοικεῖτεdwellPres Act Imper 2 Pl · κατοικέωimperative (repeated: emphasis on the settlement offer)→ durative present imperativeκατοικέω: the verb repeated from earlier in the verse for rhetorical emphasis — Hamor insists on the offer of settled residence.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐμπορεύεσθεtradePres Mid Imper 2 Pl · ἐμπορεύομαιimperative (economic element of the offer: right of commerce)→ durative present imperative (ongoing trading activity)ἐμπορεύομαι: 'trade / carry on commerce / travel as a merchant'; renders Hebrew סְחָרוּהָ ('trade in it'). The right of commerce (ἐμπορεύεσθαι) in a territory was a distinct legal privilege. Hamor offers full commercial integration.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
αὐτῇitDativedative object of ἐν (referent: the land)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐν (referent: the land).
καὶandconnective (third element)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγκτᾶσθεacquire propertyPres Mid Imper 2 Pl · ἐγκτάομαιimperative (property acquisition: right of ownership)→ durative present imperative (ongoing process of acquisition)ἐγκτάομαι: 'acquire / gain possession of / obtain property in'; a rare compound meaning 'come to possess (property) in (a place)'; renders Hebrew הֵאָחֲזוּ בָהּ ('take possession of it'). This is the most far-reaching of the three rights: not merely residence or commerce but actual property ownership — the fullest form of integration.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
αὐτῇitDativedative object of ἐν→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐν.
11
Εἶπεν δὲ Συχεμ πρὸς τὸν πατέρα αὐτῆς καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτῆς· Εὑρίσκω χάριν ἐναντίον ὑμῶν, καὶ ἃ ἐὰν εἴπητέ μοι δώσω·
And Shechem said to her father and to her brothers: 'May I find favour in your sight, and whatever you say to me I will give.'
Shechem now speaks directly, addressing 'her father' and 'her brothers' — the formulation τὸν πατέρα αὐτῆς καὶ … τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτῆς keeps Dinah's relational network in view. Shechem's opening line Εὑρίσκω χάριν ἐναντίον ὑμῶν ('may I find favour in your sight') is the standard formula of supplication (cf. Gen 32:5; 33:8, 10, 15); followed by a blank cheque on the bride-price — his desperate love expressed as unlimited willingness to pay.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ΕἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing Shechem's personal speech)→ constative aoristΕἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲandnarrative particle (transitional: new speaker)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣυχεμShechemindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΣυχεμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (directional: addressees)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: addressees).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πατέρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Dinah's father: Jacob)→ object specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the designation τὸν πατέρα αὐτῆς — 'her father' — identifies Jacob by his relationship to the victim; the narrator keeps Dinah's perspective in view even in a speech not addressed to her.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of relationship (Dinah's)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (Dinah's).
καὶandconnective (second addressee group)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (second addressee group)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (second addressee group).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφούς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Dinah's brothers)→ object specificationἀδελφός: 'brother'; the brothers who will shortly answer 'with deceit' (v.13) are explicitly included in the addressees of Shechem's plea — they hear his offer directly and personally, which makes their subsequent stratagem all the more calculated.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of relationship (Dinah's brothers)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (Dinah's brothers).
Εὑρίσκωmay I findPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb of supplication formula (present indicative expressing wish/prayer)→ conative / precative present (expressing desire or hope)εὑρίσκω: 'find'; the formula Εὑρίσκω χάριν ἐναντίον ὑμῶν renders the Hebrew idiom מְצֹא חֵן בְּעֵינֵיכֶם ('to find favour in your eyes'), the standard formulaic expression of supplication and deference in patriarchal narratives (cf. Gen 32:5; 33:8, 10, 15; 34:11). The indicative for a wish is a Hebraism.
χάρινfavourAccusativeaccusative direct object of εὑρίσκω→ object specificationχάρις: 'favour / grace / goodwill'; renders Hebrew חֵן. The term frames Shechem's plea within the ancient idiom of social grace — he asks to be regarded with goodwill despite the outrage he has committed.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (spatial-relational: 'in your sight')→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (spatial-relational: 'in your sight').
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίον→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐναντίον.
καὶandconnective (adding the open-ended offer)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἃwhateverAccusativeaccusative relative pronoun (object of δώσω, head of relative clause)→ participant referenceἃ: meaning 'whatever'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative relative pronoun (object of δώσω, head of relative clause).
ἐὰνifconditional particle (with subjunctive: indefinite relative)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'if'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἴπητέyou sayAor Act Subj 2 Pl · λέγωsubjunctive in indefinite relative clause ('whatever you may say')→ constative aorist subjunctive (open-ended condition)λέγω: 'say / speak'; the indefinite relative ἃ ἐὰν εἴπητέ μοι ('whatever you say to me') is Shechem's blank cheque — he commits in advance to any price they name.
μοιto meDativedative indirect object of εἴπητε→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object of εἴπητε.
δώσωI will giveFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb of apodosis (Shechem's commitment)→ predictive future (firm promise)δίδωμι: 'give'; the future δώσω is a firm commitment — Shechem pledges to pay whatever is demanded. The verb links to the δίδωμι-chain of the negotiation (vv.8, 9, 12, 16, 21).
12
Πληθύνατε τὴν φερνὴν σφόδρα καὶ δώσω καθότι ἂν εἴπητέ μοι· καὶ δότε μοι τὴν παῖδα ταύτην εἰς γυναῖκα.
Increase the bride-price exceedingly, and I will give whatever you say to me; and give me this girl as a wife.
Shechem moves from the supplication formula (v.11) to the specific commercial terms: the bride-price (φερνή) may be set as high as they wish. The closing imperative δότε μοι τὴν παῖδα ταύτην εἰς γυναῖκα repeats his father's request of v.8 almost verbatim, but now from the perpetrator himself — the same παῖς he seized in v.2, now sought through the proper channels.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ΠληθύνατεincreaseAor Act Imper 2 Pl · πληθύνωimperative (invitation to set a high bride-price)→ constative aorist imperativeπληθύνω: 'multiply / increase / make great'; renders Hebrew הַרְבּוּ ('make much / increase greatly'). The aorist imperative is a direct challenge to Dinah's family to name any price. The verb is used of divine multiplication of seed in the patriarchal promises (Gen 16:10; 17:2, 20) — again Shechem unwittingly echoes the register of promise.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with φερνήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φερνὴνbride-priceAccusativeaccusative direct object of Πληθύνατε→ object specificationφερνή: 'bride-price / dowry'; renders Hebrew מֹהַר (môhar), the payment made by the groom's family to the bride's family. In Israelite law (Exod 22:17) the môhar is owed even in cases of violation — Shechem's offer of an enhanced price is legally cognizant but morally insufficient.
σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (modifying Πληθύνατε)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: the same intensifier used in v.7 of the brothers' grief ('very greatly'); here it marks the unlimited nature of Shechem's financial willingness.
καὶandconnective (adding the promise of payment)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δώσωI will giveFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (reaffirming the promise of v.11)→ predictive future (firm promise)δίδωμι: verbal echo of v.11; the future tense as solemn commitment.
καθότιjust asconjunction (proportional: 'in accordance with what')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθότι: 'just as / insofar as / according as'; a compound conjunction common in LXX Greek, rendering Hebrew כַּאֲשֶׁר or כְּ. Here it introduces the proportional condition: Shechem will give in exact proportion to what they specify.
ἂν(modal)modal particle (with subjunctive: indefinite condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastἂν: meaning '(modal)'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἴπητέyou sayAor Act Subj 2 Pl · λέγωsubjunctive in indefinite conditional clause→ constative aorist subjunctiveλέγω: meaning 'you say'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as subjunctive in indefinite conditional clause.
μοιto meDativedative indirect object→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object.
καὶandconnective (returning to the primary petition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δότεgiveAor Act Imper 2 Pl · δίδωμιimperative (the primary petition: give Dinah as wife)→ constative aorist imperative (urgent request)δίδωμι: the fifth use of the δίδωμι-root in two verses (vv.11–12); the chapter's operative verb for negotiating Dinah's future.
μοιto meDativedative indirect object (Shechem, for whom the gift is intended)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (Shechem, for whom the gift is intended).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with παῖδα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδαgirlAccusativeaccusative direct object of δότε→ object specificationπαῖς: verbal echo of v.4 (Shechem's petition to Hamor used the same word); now addressed directly to Dinah's family with the same term — consistent characterisation of Shechem's tender but transgressive regard.
ταύτηνthisAccusativeaccusative demonstrative pronoun (attributive with παῖδα)→ participant referenceταύτην: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative demonstrative pronoun (attributive with παῖδα).
εἰςaspreposition + accusative (predicate: 'as / to be')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (predicate: 'as / to be').
γυναῖκαwifeAccusativeaccusative predicate complement (εἰς γυναῖκα = as a wife, Hebraism of לְאִשָּׁה)→ object specificationγυνή: the closing word of Shechem's speech is the same as the closing word of his father's speech (v.8: γυναῖκα) — the structure of the speeches is parallel, both ending with the marriage goal, reinforcing the unanimity of the Hivite desire.
13
Ἀπεκρίθησαν δὲ οἱ υἱοὶ Ιακωβ τῷ Συχεμ καὶ Εμμωρ τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ μετὰ δόλου καὶ ἐλάλησαν αὐτοῖς, ὅτι ἐμίανεν Δινα τὴν ἀδελφὴν αὐτῶν.
And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father with deceit, and they spoke to them — because he had defiled Dinah their sister.
The narrator front-loads the moral verdict — μετὰ δόλου — before any word of the counter-proposal is given. The reader knows from the outset that what follows is a stratagem. The causal ὅτι-clause at the end of the verse explains the motivation: Shechem's defilement of their sister. The structure is chiastic: the narration of the stratagem (μετὰ δόλου) wraps around the causal explanation, suggesting that the brothers' plan is an emotive response rather than a calculated policy.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἈπεκρίθησανansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (the formal response to the Hivite proposals)→ constative aorist (completed response)ἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / reply'; the verb of formal response in a negotiation; deponent passive. The subject — the sons of Jacob as a collective — suggests prior consultation among the brothers (though the text does not narrate it).
δὲandnarrative particle (transitional)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject.
Ιακωβof Jacobindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Συχεμ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣυχεμShechemindeclinable proper noun, dative indirect object (first addressee)→ participant identificationΣυχεμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, dative indirect object (first addressee).
καὶandconnective (second addressee)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΕμμωρHamorindeclinable proper noun, dative indirect object (second addressee)→ participant identificationΕμμωρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, dative indirect object (second addressee).
τῷtheDativearticle (with πατρί)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὶfatherDativedative in apposition to Εμμωρ→ sphere or referenceπατρὶ: meaning 'father'; it serves as dative in apposition to Εμμωρ.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (Shechem's father)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (Shechem's father).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (manner: 'with deceit')→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (manner: 'with deceit').
δόλουdeceitGenitivegenitive object of μετά (manner of the response)→ relational specificationδόλος: 'deceit / guile / treachery'; renders Hebrew מִרְמָה (mirmāh). This is the chapter's key moral label, applied by the narrator to the brothers' response before the response is given. The δόλος theme runs through the Genesis narrative from Jacob's own deceptive acquisition of the blessing (Gen 27) and recurs in Joseph's encounters (Gen 37 onwards). The narrator does not vindicate or condemn the brothers — he simply names their method.
καὶandconnective (adding the speech act)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησανspokeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαλέωmain verb (the actual speaking, after the manner-label)→ constative aoristλαλέω: the content of their speech is deferred to vv.14–17; the narrator keeps the moral label (μετὰ δόλου) structurally between the verb of response (ἀπεκρίθησαν) and the verb of speaking (ἐλάλησαν), framing the entire forthcoming speech as duplicitous.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative indirect object (Shechem and Hamor)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (Shechem and Hamor).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (ground for the brothers' response)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'because'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐμίανενhad defiledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μιαίνωverb in causal clause (the crime that motivates the stratagem)→ constative aorist (the act whose consequences still stand)μιαίνω: verbal echo of v.5 (Jacob heard that Shechem ἐμίανεν); the narrator now assigns the same verdict to the brothers' motivation, confirming that their response, however deceitful in method, is grounded in the real offence.
ΔιναDinahindeclinable proper noun, subject of ἐμίανεν→ participant identificationΔινα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject of ἐμίανεν.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὴνsisterAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐμίανεν→ object specificationἀδελφή: 'sister'; the term τὴν ἀδελφὴν αὐτῶν ('their sister') will recur at vv.14, 27, and 31, anchoring the brothers' actions in the bonds of siblinghood. The chapter ends with the same word.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of relationship (the brothers')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (the brothers').
14
Καὶ εἶπαν αὐτοῖς· Οὐ δυνησόμεθα ποιῆσαι τοῦτο, δοῦναι τὴν ἀδελφὴν ἡμῶν ἀνθρώπῳ ὃς ἔχει ἀκροβυστίαν· ἔστιν γὰρ ὄνειδος ἡμῖν.
And they said to them: 'We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to a man who has a foreskin; for it would be a reproach to us.'
The refusal is stated in terms of honour (ὄνειδος) and the boundary-marker of circumcision (ἀκροβυστία). The argument has genuine force within Israelite law and social identity: the covenant sign of Gen 17 is a definitive marker of belonging. The brothers thus exploit an authentic religious-social boundary as the cover for their murderous plan. The word ὄνειδος ('reproach / shame') is the counterpart to Shechem's ἄσχημον of v.7.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (the speech begins)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (introducing the brothers' direct speech)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπαν, Koine form): introduces the third invitation.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative indirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object.
Οὐnotnegation→ participant referenceΟὐ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negation.
δυνησόμεθαwe are ableFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb of refusal (capability denial)→ predictive future (presenting inability as moral impossibility)δύναμαι: 'be able / be possible'; the future Οὐ δυνησόμεθα frames the refusal as a matter of incapacity rather than mere unwillingness — 'we cannot' rather than 'we will not.' The phrasing is diplomatic: the brothers do not refuse outright but explain the obstacle.
ποιῆσαιto doAor Act Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (object of δυνησόμεθα)→ constative aorist infinitiveποιέω: 'do / make'; the infinitive governs the epexegetic δοῦναι that follows.
τοῦτοthisAccusativeaccusative direct object of ποιῆσαι (anticipatory, specified by δοῦναι)→ participant referenceτοῦτο: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of ποιῆσαι (anticipatory, specified by δοῦναι).
δοῦναιto giveAor Act Inf · δίδωμιepexegetic infinitive (specifying τοῦτο: 'namely, to give')→ constative aorist infinitiveδίδωμι: 'give'; the epexegetic infinitive specifies what 'this thing' is — the giving of their sister in marriage.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὴνsisterAccusativeaccusative direct object of δοῦναι→ object specificationἀδελφή: 'sister'; the brothers speak from the sibling-honour framework throughout; τὴν ἀδελφὴν ἡμῶν is the repeated phrase of vv.13, 14, 27, 31.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ἀνθρώπῳto a manDativedative indirect object of δοῦναι (recipient: an uncircumcised man)→ sphere or referenceἄνθρωπος: 'man / person'; the indefinite use frames the rule as general, not targeted at Shechem specifically — the brothers present this as a universal principle of their community.
ὃςwhoNominativenominative relative pronoun (subject of relative clause)→ participant referenceὃς: meaning 'who'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as nominative relative pronoun (subject of relative clause).
ἔχειhasPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωverb in relative clause (defining condition: having a foreskin)→ progressive present (ongoing state)ἔχω: 'have / possess'; the relative clause ὃς ἔχει ἀκροβυστίαν defines the disqualifying category — not 'this specific uncircumcised man' but 'any uncircumcised man.' The brothers generalise the rule to mask the specific application.
ἀκροβυστίανforeskinAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἔχει→ object specificationἀκροβυστία: 'foreskin / uncircumcision'; the term that marks non-belonging to the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 17:14). In the brothers' argument, ἀκροβυστία is the disqualifying condition; they weaponise the covenant sign of circumcision as a military stratagem. The same term recurs in Paul's discussion of the Abraham covenant (Rom 4:9–12) as the marker of the pre-circumcision period.
ἔστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (predicate: 'it is a reproach to us')→ gnomic present (presenting a standing social truth)εἰμί: 'be'; οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῖς = 'which do not have.'
γὰρforexplanatory particle (giving the ground of the refusal)→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνειδοςreproachNominativepredicate nominative (the social consequence of giving their sister to an uncircumcised man)→ participant prominenceὄνειδος: 'reproach / shame / disgrace'; renders Hebrew חֶרְפָּה. The term is the honour-shame counterpart to ἄσχημον (v.7) — both words name different facets of the same social catastrophe. The brothers frame intermarriage with the uncircumcised as a communal shame equal in seriousness to the violation itself.
ἡμῖνto usDativedative of reference (those who would bear the reproach)→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'to us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of reference (those who would bear the reproach).
15
Ἀλλ᾿ ἐν τούτῳ ὁμοιωθησόμεθα ὑμῖν καὶ κατοικήσομεν ἐν ὑμῖν, ἐὰν γένησθε ὡς ἡμεῖς τοῦ περιτμηθῆναι ὑμῶν πᾶν ἀρσενικόν.
But on this condition we will agree with you and dwell among you: if you become as we are, in that every male among you is circumcised.
The adversative Ἀλλ᾿ pivots from the refusal (v.14) to the conditional counter-offer. The structure is: 'on this one condition (ἐν τούτῳ) we will comply' — followed by the condition. The brothers present circumcision not as an impossible demand but as a single, achievable action that will unlock everything. The subjunctive condition (ἐὰν γένησθε) presents it as genuinely possible. The deceptive character of the offer (flagged in v.13) is evident to the reader but not to the Shechemites.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
Ἀλλ᾿butadversative conjunction (pivoting from refusal to conditional offer)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: strong adversative; the brothers do not simply refuse but pivot to a counter-offer, maintaining the appearance of negotiating in good faith.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (conditional basis: 'on this condition')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (conditional basis: 'on this condition').
τούτῳthisDativedative demonstrative pronoun (the single condition about to be stated)→ participant reference or interestτούτῳ: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative demonstrative pronoun (the single condition about to be stated).
ὁμοιωθησόμεθαwe will agreeFut Pass Indic 1 Pl · ὁμοιόωmain verb (conditional promise: 'we will assimilate / agree with you')→ predictive future (firm conditional promise)ὁμοιόω: 'make like / become like / agree with'; passive here = 'we will be made like you / we will conform to you.' Renders Hebrew נֵאוֹת לָכֶם ('we will consent to you'). The word conveys both social assimilation and formal agreement — the brothers promise a comprehensive resolution of the social boundary.
ὑμῖνwith youDativedative of association (with ὁμοιωθησόμεθα)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'with you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of association (with ὁμοιωθησόμεθα).
καὶandconnective (adding the second conditional promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατοικήσομενwe will dwellFut Act Indic 1 Pl · κατοικέωmain verb (second conditional promise: settlement among them)→ predictive futureκατοικέω: echoes Hamor's invitation of v.10 (κατοικεῖτε); the brothers now promise to do what Hamor invited — but only conditionally.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (locative: 'among you')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'among you').
ὑμῖνyouDativedative object of ἐν→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐν.
ἐὰνifconditional particle (introducing the condition with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'if'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γένησθεyou becomeAor Mid Subj 2 Pl · γίνομαιsubjunctive in protasis of condition (the required change)→ constative aorist subjunctive (single decisive act of becoming)γίνομαι: 'become / be'; the condition is presented as an act of becoming — the Shechemites must become 'like us' (ὡς ἡμεῖς). The aorist frames this as a single decisive transition.
ὡςascomparative conjunction ('as / like')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: meaning 'as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡμεῖςweNominativenominative pronoun (the standard the Shechemites must match)→ participant referenceἡμεῖς: meaning 'we'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as nominative pronoun (the standard the Shechemites must match).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with infinitive (genitive articular infinitive: content of the condition)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
περιτμηθῆναιto be circumcisedAor Pass Inf · περιτέμνωarticular infinitive (defining the content of 'becoming like us')→ constative aorist infinitive (single rite)περιτέμνω: 'circumcise'; the covenant sign of Gen 17, here weaponised as a strategic condition. The passive infinitive περιτμηθῆναι places the Shechemites as the recipients of the rite — they must undergo it, not perform it on others. The LXX uses the same verb throughout Gen 17 for the Abrahamic circumcision covenant.
ὑμῶνof youGenitivegenitive subject of infinitive (those who are to be circumcised)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'of you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive subject of infinitive (those who are to be circumcised).
πᾶνeveryNominativenominative subject of infinitive (universal quantifier: no male excepted)→ participant prominenceπᾶν: meaning 'every'; it serves as nominative subject of infinitive (universal quantifier: no male excepted).
ἀρσενικόνmaleNominativenominative subject of infinitive (adjective used substantively: 'every male')→ participant prominenceἀρσενικός: 'male / masculine'; the universal scope (πᾶν ἀρσενικόν, 'every male') echoes the language of the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 17:10, 12, 23 LXX: πᾶν ἀρσενικόν) — the brothers demand exactly what God demanded of Abraham, but with murderous intent three days hence.
16
Καὶ δώσομεν τὰς θυγατέρας ἡμῶν ὑμῖν, καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν θυγατέρων ὑμῶν λημψόμεθα ἡμῖν γυναῖκας· καὶ κατοικήσομεν παρ᾿ ὑμῖν καὶ ἐσόμεθα ὡς γένος ἕν.
And we will give our daughters to you, and from your daughters we will take wives for ourselves; and we will dwell with you and we will become as one kindred.
The brothers articulate the positive outcome of compliance: mutual giving of daughters (reversing the asymmetry of Hamor's proposal in v.9 by making it fully reciprocal) and residential and social unity (ὡς γένος ἕν). The phrase ὡς γένος ἕν is the chapter's most ironic moment — the brothers promise to become 'as one kindred' while planning to exterminate the Shechemite males within three days. The future indicatives function as conditional promises, their emptiness known only to the reader.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (first conditional promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δώσομενwe will giveFut Act Indic 1 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (first conditional promise: giving daughters)→ predictive future (conditional promise)δίδωμι: the δίδωμι-chain dominant throughout the chapter (vv.8, 9, 11, 12, 14) — now the brothers promise to give daughters, completing the symmetry of Hamor's proposal.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with θυγατέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατέραςdaughtersAccusativeaccusative direct object of δώσομεν→ object specificationθυγατέρας: meaning 'daughters'; it serves as accusative direct object of δώσομεν.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative indirect object (the Shechemites)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (the Shechemites).
καὶandconnective (second direction of exchange)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'from among your daughters')→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: 'from among your daughters').
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατέρωνdaughtersGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationθυγατέρων: meaning 'daughters'; it serves as genitive object of ἀπό.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
λημψόμεθαwe will takeFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (second conditional promise: taking wives from Shechem)→ predictive futureλαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; the reciprocal λαμβάνω (brothers taking) balancing δώσομεν (brothers giving) — exactly the symmetrical arrangement Hamor proposed in v.9 (δότε … λάβετε). The brothers adopt the Hivite's own terms and turn them back on him.
ἡμῖνfor ourselvesDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'for ourselves'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage.
γυναῖκαςwivesAccusativeaccusative direct object of λημψόμεθα→ object specificationγυναῖκας: meaning 'wives'; it serves as accusative direct object of λημψόμεθα.
καὶandconnective (third conditional promise: shared dwelling)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατοικήσομενwe will dwellFut Act Indic 1 Pl · κατοικέωmain verb (dwelling in common)→ predictive futureκατοικέω: the verb of the whole intermarriage programme (vv.10, 15, 16); the brothers echo it as a promise.
παρ᾿withpreposition + dative (comitative: 'alongside / with you')→ spatial or relational framingπαρ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (comitative: 'alongside / with you').
ὑμῖνyouDativedative object of παρά→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of παρά.
καὶandconnective (climactic final element)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐσόμεθαwe will beFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (the ultimate social goal: becoming one kindred)→ predictive future (the promised outcome of full integration)εἰμί: 'be'; the future ἐσόμεθα ὡς γένος ἕν — 'we will be as one kindred' — is the chapter's most bitterly ironic line. The phrase promises what the brothers have no intention of honouring; spoken μετὰ δόλου, it is a promise designed to be broken.
ὡςascomparative conjunction ('as / like one kindred')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: meaning 'as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γένοςkindredNominativepredicate nominative (the social unit the two peoples would form)→ participant prominenceγένος: 'race / kindred / people'; renders Hebrew עַם אֶחָד ('one people'). The LXX uses γένος rather than λαός or ἔθνος — a slightly more intimate term for a kin-group. The shared γένος envisioned here is the very social formation the brothers' massacre will prevent.
ἕνoneNominativepredicate nominative numeral (attributive to γένος)→ measure or countἕν: meaning 'one'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
17
Ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀκούσητε ἡμῶν τοῦ περιτμηθῆναι, λημψόμεθα τὴν θυγατέρα ἡμῶν καὶ ἀπελευσόμεθα.
But if you do not listen to us to be circumcised, we will take our daughter and depart.
The brothers complete the conditional structure with the negative case. Refusal to comply means the brothers take 'their daughter' and leave — τὴν θυγατέρα ἡμῶν, not 'their sister' (αὐτῶν) as in vv.13, 14: a shift to the family-as-whole perspective, presenting Dinah as a collective family-member whose departure would end the negotiations. The threat of departure is a negotiating pressure, but also signals that the brothers are prepared to walk away if the stratagem fails.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
Ἐὰνifconditional particle (introducing the negative condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastἘὰν: meaning 'if'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δὲbutadversative particle (contrasting with the positive condition of v.15)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegation (with subjunctive)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἀκούσητεyou listenAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἀκούωsubjunctive in protasis (the condition of non-compliance)→ constative aorist subjunctive (single act of hearing/obeying)ἀκούω: 'hear / listen to / obey'; with the genitive ἡμῶν, the construction means 'listen to us' — i.e., comply with our terms. The verb echoes Jacob's ἤκουσεν (v.5) and the brothers' ἤκουσαν (v.7); the whole chapter is structured around what is heard and what is done with what is heard.
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of ἀκούσητε ('listen to us')→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἀκούσητε ('listen to us').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with articular infinitive (genitive of respect: 'with respect to being circumcised')→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
περιτμηθῆναιto be circumcisedAor Pass Inf · περιτέμνωarticular infinitive of respect (specifying the content of 'listening')→ constative aorist infinitiveπεριτέμνω: verbal echo of v.15; the condition stated positively (τοῦ περιτμηθῆναι) there is now restated as the content of the refusal — not-listening to the circumcision requirement.
λημψόμεθαwe will takeFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb of apodosis (consequence of non-compliance)→ predictive future (firm statement of the brothers' counter-action)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; the future λημψόμεθα in the apodosis is the brothers' threat — they will take Dinah back. The irony is that they will take her back anyway (v.26: ἔλαβον τὴν Δινα) — the condition is illusory.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with θυγατέρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατέραdaughterAccusativeaccusative direct object of λημψόμεθα→ object specificationθυγάτηρ: 'daughter'; the brothers here say τὴν θυγατέρα ἡμῶν ('our daughter') rather than the repeated τὴν ἀδελφὴν ἡμῶν ('our sister') of vv.13–14 — a subtle shift presenting Dinah as the family's collective child, perhaps to add weight to the departure threat.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandconnective (second element of apodosis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπελευσόμεθαwe will departFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (second element of apodosis: complete withdrawal)→ predictive futureἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; the compound ἀπ- marks complete departure. The implied counterfactual — that if the Shechemites had refused, the brothers would simply have left — throws the whole stratagem into relief: the circumcision demand is a trap, not a genuine offer of exit.
18
Καὶ ἤρεσαν οἱ λόγοι ἐναντίον Εμμωρ καὶ ἐναντίον Συχεμ τοῦ υἱοῦ Εμμωρ.
And the words pleased Hamor and Shechem the son of Hamor.
A brief transitional verse recording the Hivites' acceptance. The verb ἤρεσαν ('pleased') is the standard LXX formula for formal approval of a proposal (cf. Gen 41:37; 45:16; Num 14:7 LXX). The naming of both Hamor and Shechem ensures the reader understands that both parties to the negotiation are complicit in the decision that will lead to their deaths.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤρεσανpleasedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀρέσκωmain verb (recording formal approval)→ constative aorist (the completed act of approval)ἀρέσκω: 'please / be pleasing to'; ἤρεσαν ἐναντίον renders the Hebrew formula וַיִּיטְב … בְּעֵינֵי ('it seemed good in the eyes of'); ἐναντίον renders בְּעֵינֵי ('in the eyes of'). The expression is the LXX standard formula for formal approbation of a plan.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with λόγοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγοιwordsNominativesubject (the brothers' proposal, personified as the agent of pleasing)→ participant prominenceλόγος: 'word / proposal / speech'; the λόγοι are the brothers' speech of vv.14–17 in its totality — taken at face value by both Hivites.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (= 'in the sight/estimation of')→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (= 'in the sight/estimation of').
ΕμμωρHamorindeclinable proper noun, genitive object of ἐναντίον (first approver)→ participant identificationΕμμωρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive object of ἐναντίον (first approver).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (second occurrence: second approver)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (second occurrence: second approver).
ΣυχεμShechemindeclinable proper noun, genitive object of second ἐναντίον→ participant identificationΣυχεμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive object of second ἐναντίον.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with υἱοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition to Συχεμ→ relational specificationυἱοῦ: meaning 'son'; it serves as genitive in apposition to Συχεμ.
Εμμωρof Hamorindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (patronymic)→ participant identificationΕμμωρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (patronymic).
19
Καὶ οὐκ ἐβράδυνεν ὁ νεανίσκος τοῦ ποιῆσαι τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο, ἐνεκεῖτο γὰρ τῇ θυγατρὶ Ιακωβ· αὐτὸς δὲ ἦν ἐνδοξότατος πάντων τῶν ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ.
And the young man did not delay to do this thing, for he was devoted to the daughter of Jacob; and he was the most honoured of all in his father's household.
Two parallel clauses characterise Shechem: first, his eagerness (οὐκ ἐβράδυνεν, 'did not delay'), grounded in his devoted attachment (ἐνεκεῖτο) to Dinah; second, his social standing — ἐνδοξότατος, 'most honoured,' explains why the whole city will follow his lead to the fatal circumcision. Both details prepare the catastrophe of vv.25–26: the most honoured man of the city is also among the first killed.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegation→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἐβράδυνενdelayedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βραδύνωmain verb (Shechem's eagerness expressed as absence of delay)→ constative aorist (the single occasion of not-delaying)βραδύνω: 'delay / be slow / tarry'; renders Hebrew לֹא אֵחַר. The negated aorist οὐκ ἐβράδυνεν is the standard narrative formula for eagerness in the LXX (cf. Gen 24:56: μὴ κατέχετέ με; same sense). Shechem's compliance is immediate and total.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with νεανίσκος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νεανίσκοςyoung manNominativesubject (Shechem identified by his youth)→ participant prominenceνεανίσκος: 'young man'; renders Hebrew הַנַּעַר ('the lad / youth'); Shechem is consistently a figure of passionate youth — the word here subtly humanises him even as his fate closes in.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with articular infinitive (genitive of respect)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποιῆσαιto doAor Act Inf · ποιέωarticular infinitive (content of non-delay: 'to do this thing')→ constative aorist infinitiveποιέω: 'do / make / prepare'; here 'prepare (a meal)' for the guest; the articular infinitive τοῦ ποιῆσαι expresses purpose — the meal of hospitality is the occasion of the theft.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ῥῆμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαthingAccusativeaccusative direct object of ποιῆσαι→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / matter / thing'; renders Hebrew הַדָּבָר; the 'thing' (τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο) is the circumcision of himself and all the men — referred to obliquely because the narrator has moved past the details of the agreement.
τοῦτοthisAccusativeaccusative demonstrative pronoun (attributive with ῥῆμα)→ participant referenceτοῦτο: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative demonstrative pronoun (attributive with ῥῆμα).
ἐνεκεῖτοwas devotedImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔγκειμαιmain verb of explanatory clause (γάρ: the reason for Shechem's eagerness)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing state of devotion)ἔγκειμαι: 'lie in / press upon / be devoted to / be urgent upon'; renders Hebrew חָשַׁק בְּ ('desire / be attached to'). The progressive imperfect ἐνεκεῖτο describes Shechem's sustained, pressing attachment to Dinah as the motive for his eagerness to comply. The verb is notable: ἔγκειμαι usually means 'press upon urgently / be insistent' — Shechem's desire for Dinah is presented as a consuming, urgent force.
γὰρforexplanatory particle (introducing the ground of his eagerness)→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῇtheDativearticle (dative with ἐνεκεῖτο)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατρὶdaughterDativedative of direction/attachment with ἐνεκεῖτο→ sphere or referenceθυγάτηρ: once again; the daughter/sister chain continues through the whole chapter.
Ιακωβof Jacobindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativenominative intensive pronoun (subject of the second characterisation)→ participant referenceαὐτὸς: meaning 'he himself'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as nominative intensive pronoun (subject of the second characterisation).
δὲandparticle (transitional: second characterisation)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (predicate: Shechem's social standing)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing status)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.
ἐνδοξότατοςmost honouredNominativepredicate adjective (superlative: Shechem's standing in his father's house)→ participant prominenceἔνδοξος: 'honoured / glorious / distinguished'; superlative ἐνδοξότατος renders Hebrew נִכְבָּד מִכֹּל ('most honoured of all'). The detail that Shechem is the most honoured man in his father's household explains the success of his appeal to the city at vv.20–24: when the most honoured man of the family goes to the gate, people listen.
πάντωνof allGenitivegenitive of comparison (superlative: 'most honoured of all')→ relational specificationπάντων: meaning 'of all'; it serves as genitive of comparison (superlative: 'most honoured of all').
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (with partitive genitive: 'of those who are in his father's house')→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκῳhouseholdDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house / household'; the social unit within which Shechem has the highest standing — which extends outward to the whole city.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive of possession (Hamor's household)→ relational specificationπατρὸς: meaning 'father'; it serves as genitive of possession (Hamor's household).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
20
Ἦλθεν δὲ Εμμωρ καὶ Συχεμ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ πρὸς τὴν πύλην τῆς πόλεως αὐτῶν καὶ ἐλάλησαν πρὸς τοὺς ἄνδρας τῆς πόλεως αὐτῶν λέγοντες·
And Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city and spoke to the men of their city, saying:
The city gate (ἡ πύλη) is the standard locale for legal and civic deliberation in the ancient Near East. Hamor and Shechem go there to persuade the civic assembly — the ἄνδρες τῆς πόλεως — to undergo circumcision. The verse sets up the public speech of vv.21–23. The phrase τῆς πόλεως αὐτῶν appears twice in the verse — the narrator keeps the Shechemites' own city in view as the scene of both their persuasion and their coming destruction.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἮλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (narrative action — singular with compound subject Εμμωρ καὶ Συχεμ)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; the singular ἦλθεν with a compound subject is a common Hebrew syntax (the verb agrees with the first or nearest subject), preserved in the LXX as a Hebraism.
δὲandnarrative particle (transitional)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΕμμωρHamorindeclinable proper noun, subject (first element of compound)→ participant identificationΕμμωρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject (first element of compound).
καὶandconnective (compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣυχεμShechemindeclinable proper noun, subject (second element of compound)→ participant identificationΣυχεμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject (second element of compound).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with υἱός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition to Συχεμ→ participant prominenceυἱὸς: meaning 'son'; it serves as nominative in apposition to Συχεμ.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (Hamor's son)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (Hamor's son).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (directional: destination)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: destination).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πύλην)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύληνgateAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (civic assembly locale)→ object specificationπύλη: 'gate / city-gate'; the gate is the standard meeting-place for civic and legal assembly in biblical culture (cf. Ruth 4:1–2; Prov 31:23; Job 29:7 LXX). Legal transactions, public deliberation, and the exercise of authority all took place at the gate. Boaz goes to the gate to convene the assembly for the Ruth redemption (Ruth 4:1); Hamor and Shechem do the same here.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive of possession (Shechem's city)→ relational specificationπόλις: 'city'; τῆς πόλεως αὐτῶν marks the city as belonging to the Hivites — a city that will be plundered (v.27) and left empty by the end of the chapter.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (Hamor and Shechem's city)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Hamor and Shechem's city).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησανspokeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαλέωmain verb (the civic address: formal speech)→ constative aoristλαλέω: the formal speech verb; Hamor and Shechem move from private negotiation with Jacob's family (vv.8–12) to public address at the city gate (vv.21–23), the full civic machinery of an ancient Near Eastern community.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (directional: addressees)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: addressees).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἄνδρας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the civic assembly)→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the ἄνδρες τῆς πόλεως are the male citizens of Shechem gathered at the gate — the community that will consent to circumcision and be slaughtered three days later.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive of possession (second occurrence: the city of the men addressed)→ relational specificationπόλεως: meaning 'city'; it serves as genitive of possession (second occurrence: the city of the men addressed).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl Masc · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech (standard LXX formula, plural matching compound subject)→ progressive participle (ongoing act of address)λέγω: the participle λέγοντες ('saying'), masculine plural by sense (the reporters), renders לֵאמֹר; introduces the content of the report despite the singular ἀπηγγέλη — a common LXX constructio ad sensum.
21
Οἱ ἄνθρωποι οὗτοι εἰρηνικοί εἰσιν μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν· κατοικείτωσαν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐμπορευέσθωσαν αὐτήν· ἡ δὲ γῆ ἰδοὺ πλατεῖα ἐναντίον αὐτῶν· τὰς θυγατέρας αὐτῶν λημψόμεθα ἡμῖν γυναῖκας, καὶ τὰς θυγατέρας ἡμῶν δώσομεν αὐτοῖς.
These men are peaceable with us; let them dwell upon the land and trade in it; and behold, the land is wide before them; we will take their daughters as wives for ourselves, and we will give our daughters to them.
The public speech re-presents Jacob's family as εἰρηνικοί ('peaceable'), suppressing the real history of the encounter (including the violation and the brothers' threatening conditions). The speech is strategically selective: Hamor emphasises the economic benefits (trade, land-width) and the intermarriage exchanges, saving the one difficult demand — circumcision — for v.22. The land-breadth formula (ἰδοὺ πλατεῖα) echoes Hamor's own speech to Jacob (v.10), now addressed to the city.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
ΟἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνθρωποι)→ noun-phrase markingΟἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποιmenNominativesubject (Jacob and his sons, presented to the city assembly)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man / person'; the use of ἄνθρωποι (generically 'people') rather than ἄνδρες (men of status) or Ισραηλ sets a neutral, unthreatening tone.
οὗτοιtheseNominativenominative demonstrative pronoun (attributive with ἄνθρωποι)→ participant referenceοὗτοι: meaning 'these'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as nominative demonstrative pronoun (attributive with ἄνθρωποι).
εἰρηνικοίpeaceableNominativepredicate adjective (key characterisation for the civic audience)→ participant prominenceεἰρηνικός: 'peaceable / peaceful'; renders Hebrew שְׁלֵמִים ('whole / complete / at peace with us'). Hamor's characterisation εἰρηνικοί is technically true at this moment — the brothers have not yet revealed the violence to come — but it is achieved by suppressing the entire context of violence, demand, and deceit that preceded.
εἰσινarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula (predicate: 'these men are peaceable')→ gnomic present (presented as a current standing fact)εἰμί: see v.11.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (comitative: 'with us / toward us')→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (comitative: 'with us / toward us').
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
κατοικείτωσανlet them dwellPres Act Imper 3 Pl · κατοικέω3rd person imperative (invitation-proposal to the city)→ durative present imperative (ongoing settlement)κατοικέω: the verb of settlement that has run through the chapter (vv.10, 15, 16); now addressed to the city assembly as a recommendation.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (locative: 'upon the land')→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive object of ἐπί (locative: 'upon the land').
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐμπορευέσθωσανlet them tradePres Mid Imper 3 Pl · ἐμπορεύομαι3rd person imperative (economic element)→ durative present imperativeἐμπορεύομαι: verbal echo of v.10; Hamor presents the economic argument first — commercial integration benefits the city.
αὐτήνitAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐμπορευέσθωσαν (the land)→ participant referenceαὐτήν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of ἐμπορευέσθωσαν (the land).
ἡtheNominativearticle (with γῆ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲandparticle (resumptive, adding the land-breadth assurance)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γῆlandNominativesubject (the land is wide before them)→ participant prominenceγῆ: meaning 'land'; it serves as subject (the land is wide before them).
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδοὺ: meaning 'behold'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πλατεῖαwideNominativepredicate adjective→ participant prominenceπλατεῖα: exact verbal echo of v.10 — Hamor repeats to the city the same assurance he gave Jacob.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (spatial: 'in front of them')→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (spatial: 'in front of them').
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίον (Jacob's family)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐναντίον (Jacob's family).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with θυγατέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατέραςdaughtersAccusativeaccusative direct object of λημψόμεθα (fronted for emphasis)→ object specificationθυγατέρας: meaning 'daughters'; it serves as accusative direct object of λημψόμεθα (fronted for emphasis).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (Jacob's family's daughters)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Jacob's family's daughters).
λημψόμεθαwe will takeFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (first direction of intermarriage exchange)→ predictive futureλαμβάνω: Hamor presents the intermarriage to the city in the order: Shechemites take Jacob's daughters first (benefit to Shechem), then give their own daughters (benefit to Jacob).
ἡμῖνfor ourselvesDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'for ourselves'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage.
γυναῖκαςwivesAccusativeaccusative predicate complement with λημψόμεθα ('take as wives')→ object specificationγυναῖκας: meaning 'wives'; it serves as accusative predicate complement with λημψόμεθα ('take as wives').
καὶandconnective (second direction of exchange)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with θυγατέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατέραςdaughtersAccusativeaccusative direct object of δώσομεν→ object specificationθυγατέρας: meaning 'daughters'; it serves as accusative direct object of δώσομεν.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
δώσομενwe will giveFut Act Indic 1 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (second direction of exchange)→ predictive futureδίδωμι: the δίδωμι-chain continues; Hamor presents this as the Shechemite contribution to the exchange.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative indirect object (Jacob's family)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (Jacob's family).
22
Μόνον ἐν τούτῳ ὁμοιωθήσονται ἡμῖν οἱ ἄνθρωποι τοῦ κατοικεῖν παρ᾿ ἡμῖν ὥστε εἶναι λαὸν ἕνα, ἐν τῷ περιτέμνεσθαι ἡμῶν πᾶν ἀρσενικόν, καθότι καὶ αὐτοὶ περιτέτμηνται.
Only on this condition will the men agree with us to dwell among us so as to be one people: every male among us must be circumcised, just as they also are circumcised.
Hamor presents the circumcision requirement minimally — after the benefits (v.21) and framed by Μόνον ('only this one thing'). He positions it as a condition of social conformity (ὁμοιωθήσονται) and mutual membership, not as a burden. The rationale he adds — 'just as they themselves are circumcised' — frames Jacob's family as the model, not the exception. He does not mention the violation, the brothers' anger, or the threat of reprisal. The whole pitch is strategic framing.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
Μόνονonlyadverb of restriction (framing the condition as uniquely limiting)→ participant identificationμόνον: 'only / merely / just'; the word is strategic — Hamor frames circumcision as the sole and simple condition, minimising the ask. The same adverb used by the brothers (μόνον ἐν τούτῳ, v.15) is now recycled by Hamor in his public pitch.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (conditional basis: 'on this condition')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (conditional basis: 'on this condition').
τούτῳthisDativedative demonstrative pronoun (the single condition)→ participant reference or interestτούτῳ: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative demonstrative pronoun (the single condition).
ὁμοιωθήσονταιwill agreeFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · ὁμοιόωmain verb (the agreement to comply)→ predictive future (Hamor's prediction of the men's agreement)ὁμοιόω: verbal echo of v.15 (ὁμοιωθησόμεθα); Hamor repeats the brothers' word — 'agree / conform to us' — but the subject is now the men of Shechem who will conform to Jacob's family's condition.
ἡμῖνwith usDativedative of association→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'with us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of association.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνθρωποι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποιmenNominativesubject (Jacob's family, who must agree to dwell with the Shechemites)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωποι: meaning 'men'; it serves as subject (Jacob's family, who must agree to dwell with the Shechemites).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with articular infinitive (genitive of purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοικεῖνto dwellPres Act Inf · κατοικέωarticular infinitive of purpose ('so that they dwell among us')→ durative present infinitiveκατοικέω: the repeated settlement verb; Hamor presents circumcision as the gateway to the dwelling-together he has proposed throughout.
παρ᾿amongpreposition + dative (comitative/locative)→ spatial or relational framingπαρ᾿: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (comitative/locative).
ἡμῖνusDativedative object of παρά→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of παρά.
ὥστεso as toconsecutive conjunction (result clause: the goal of dwelling together)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: 'so that / so as to'; introduces the result of dwelling together — becoming one people.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive in result clause (the goal: one people)→ durative present infinitive (continuous state)εἰμί (inf.): 'be'; the loose infinitive εἶναι ('to be / so as to be with Israel') is a Hebraizing construction expressing result/purpose — they turned so as to side with Israel.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativeaccusative predicate complement with εἶναι→ object specificationλαός: 'people / nation'; renders Hebrew עַם; Hamor uses λαός (a covenantal-political term) for the merged community — subtly grander than the brothers' γένος (kindred) of v.16.
ἕναoneAccusativeaccusative numeral (attributive with λαόν: 'one people')→ measure or countἕνα: meaning 'one'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (instrumental: 'by circumcising')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental: 'by circumcising').
τῷtheDativearticle with articular infinitive (instrumental dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
περιτέμνεσθαιbeing circumcisedPres Pass Inf · περιτέμνωarticular infinitive (the instrumental means: circumcision)→ durative present infinitive (the ongoing/comprehensive act)περιτέμνω: the passive infinitive now speaks of the Shechemites' circumcision as an ongoing act — πᾶν ἀρσενικόν must be circumcised.
ἡμῶνof usGenitivegenitive subject of infinitive (the Shechemites who are circumcised)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'of us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive subject of infinitive (the Shechemites who are circumcised).
πᾶνeveryNominativenominative subject of infinitive (universal quantifier)→ participant prominenceπᾶν: meaning 'every'; it serves as nominative subject of infinitive (universal quantifier).
ἀρσενικόνmaleNominativenominative subject of infinitive (adjective used substantively)→ participant prominenceἀρσενικός: verbal echo of v.15 (the brothers' own demand); Hamor's public pitch uses the same term and the same scope — πᾶν ἀρσενικόν.
καθότιjust ascomparative conjunction (introducing the model: Jacob's family)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθότι: meaning 'just as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καὶalsoadverb (emphasising inclusion: 'they also')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'also'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτοὶthey themselvesNominativeintensive pronoun, subject→ participant referenceαὐτοὶ: meaning 'they themselves'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as intensive pronoun, subject.
περιτέτμηνταιare circumcisedPrf Pass Indic 3 Pl · περιτέμνωmain verb (the model: Jacob's family's completed circumcision state)→ resultant perfect (the state of being circumcised as a permanent condition)περιτέμνω: the perfect περιτέτμηνται ('they have been circumcised and are in that state') is the climactic word of Hamor's argument: he appeals to Jacob's family's circumcision as the standard to which the Shechemites must conform. The perfect tense underscores that circumcision is a lasting status-marker, not just an event.
23
Καὶ τὰ κτήνη αὐτῶν καὶ ἡ ὕπαρξις αὐτῶν καὶ τὰ τετράποδα αὐτῶν οὐχ ἡμῶν ἔσται; μόνον συγκαταθώμεθα αὐτοῖς, καὶ κατοικήσουσιν μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν.
Will not their cattle and their possessions and their quadrupeds be ours? Only let us agree with them, and they will dwell with us.
Hamor closes his speech with a frankly self-interested argument: Jacob's family is wealthy, and their wealth will come to the Shechemites if they agree. The rhetorical question (οὐχ ἡμῶν ἔσται;) expects the answer 'yes.' The appeal to greed undercuts any reading of the proposal as a purely honourable intermarriage negotiation — Hamor is playing to his audience's economic interests. The closing Μόνον συγκαταθώμεθα ('only let us agree') is a hortatory subjunctive of persuasion.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (continuing Hamor's speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheNominativearticle (with κτήνη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτήνηcattleNominativesubject (first element of list of Jacob's property)→ participant prominenceκτῆνος: 'livestock / cattle'; Jacob's flocks were mentioned in v.5 (the sons were with the cattle). Hamor's audience knows Jacob's family is a prosperous pastoral clan.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandconnective (list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ὕπαρξις)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕπαρξιςpossessionsNominativesubject (second element: movable property)→ participant prominenceὕπαρξις: 'possessions / estate / property'; renders Hebrew מִקְנֶה or a variant; a comprehensive term for all holdings. The word appears in the LXX for the property of wealthy figures (cf. Gen 26:14).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandconnective (list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheNominativearticle (with τετράποδα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τετράποδαquadrupedsNominativesubject (third element: four-footed animals)→ participant prominenceτετράπους: 'four-footed animal / quadruped'; an unusual term that may differentiate large livestock (cattle, donkeys) from the smaller κτήνη (flock animals). The three-fold list (κτήνη, ὕπαρξις, τετράποδα) creates a comprehensive inventory of Jacob's movable wealth.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οὐχnotnegation (rhetorical question expecting 'yes')→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐχ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἡμῶνoursGenitivepredicate genitive of possession ('will not … be ours?')→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'ours'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as predicate genitive of possession ('will not … be ours?').
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (rhetorical question: 'will it not be ours?')→ predictive future (rhetorical)εἰμί: the future ἔσται in a rhetorical question with οὐχ expects an affirmative answer — Hamor is appealing to the city's economic self-interest as the clinching argument for agreeing to circumcision.
μόνονonlyadverb of restriction (minimising the ask: 'just agree with them')→ clausal contributionμόνον: second use of μόνον in the speech (cf. v.22); the repeated minimisation ('only on this condition … only let us agree') frames circumcision as a small price for great gain.
συγκαταθώμεθαlet us agreeAor Mid Subj 1 Pl · συγκατατίθεμαιhortatory subjunctive (the closing persuasive call to action)→ constative aorist subjunctive (single decisive act of consent)συγκατατίθεμαι: 'agree with / consent to / concur'; renders Hebrew נֵאוֹת. The hortatory subjunctive of the 1st person plural is a call for collective action: 'let us (together) agree.' The verb conveys formal civic consent — the assembly's vote.
αὐτοῖςwith themDativedative of association (with συγκαταθώμεθα)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'with them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of association (with συγκαταθώμεθα).
καὶandconnective (result of agreeing)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατοικήσουσινthey will dwellFut Act Indic 3 Pl · κατοικέωmain verb (promised outcome of consent)→ predictive futureκατοικέω: the chapter's settlement verb makes its final appearance in Hamor's mouth — 'and they will dwell with us.' The promise is never fulfilled; the slaughter intervenes.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (comitative)→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (comitative).
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
24
Καὶ ἤκουσαν Εμμωρ καὶ Συχεμ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ πάντες οἱ ἐξελθόντες τὴν πύλην τῆς πόλεως αὐτῶν, καὶ περιετέμοντο πάντες ἀρσενικοί, πάντες οἱ ἐξελθόντες τὴν πύλην τῆς πόλεως αὐτῶν.
And all who went out through the gate of their city listened to Hamor and Shechem his son, and all the males were circumcised — all who went out through the gate of their city.
The verse records the city's complete compliance through repetition: πάντες … πάντες ἀρσενικοί … πάντες οἱ ἐξελθόντες. The threefold πάντες ('all') and the double occurrence of the gate-formula (οἱ ἐξελθόντες τὴν πύλην τῆς πόλεως αὐτῶν) create an emphatic totality — every single male of the city is circumcised. The gate that was the scene of persuasion (v.20) now defines the scope of compliance. The repetition is also a narrative marker of irony: the universality of the circumcision = the universality of the coming vulnerability.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤκουσανlistened toAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (the city's act of compliance: they heard and obeyed)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear / obey'; the hearing that ends the sequence of non-compliance with Hamor's proposal — they listened (ἤκουσαν) and complied. The word closes the ἀκούω-chain: Jacob heard (v.5), brothers heard (v.7), now the city heard (v.24). Each hearing leads to a different response.
ΕμμωρHamorindeclinable proper noun, dative (object of ἤκουσαν: 'listened to')→ participant identificationΕμμωρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, dative (object of ἤκουσαν: 'listened to').
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣυχεμShechemindeclinable proper noun, dative (second object of ἤκουσαν)→ participant identificationΣυχεμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, dative (second object of ἤκουσαν).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with υἱός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition to Συχεμ→ participant prominenceυἱὸς: meaning 'son'; it serves as nominative in apposition to Συχεμ.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
πάντεςallNominativenominative subject (total scope: every man who went through the gate)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / every'; the triple πάντες of this verse creates a solemn, almost liturgical totality — a device that will make the subsequent slaughter of 'all the males' in v.25 all the more devastating.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἐξελθόντες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξελθόντεςthose who went outAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl Masc · ἐξέρχομαιsubstantival participle (identifying the civic assembly by their gate-participation)→ constative aorist participleἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; the gate-formula οἱ ἐξελθόντες τὴν πύλην ('those who went out through the gate') is the standard ancient Near Eastern designation for the civic assembly — those who had full citizenship rights and participated in the gate proceedings. The verb ἐξέρχομαι echoes the chapter's first word (Ἐξῆλθεν, v.1) and will echo its massacre (v.25: εἰσῆλθον).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πύλην)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύληνgateAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐξελθόντες (the gate through which they went out)→ object specificationπύλη: the gate where the assembly met and decided; now the defining mark of those who complied.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationπόλεως: meaning 'city'; it serves as genitive of possession.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (the city belonging to the Shechemites — soon to be plundered)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the city belonging to the Shechemites — soon to be plundered).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential: the circumcision follows hearing)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
περιετέμοντοwere circumcisedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · περιτέμνωmain verb (the act of compliance)→ constative aorist (the completed communal circumcision)περιτέμνω: 'circumcise'; the middle περιετέμοντο suggests self-participation — they submitted to circumcision (not simply had it done to them passively). The word that has been building through the chapter (vv.15, 17, 22) arrives here as accomplished fact.
πάντεςallNominativenominative subject (second πάντες: universal scope of circumcision)→ participant prominenceπάντες: meaning 'all'; it serves as nominative subject (second πάντες: universal scope of circumcision).
ἀρσενικοίmalesNominativenominative predicate / appositive (adjective used substantively: 'all the males')→ participant prominenceἀρσενικός: the key term from the circumcision condition (v.15: πᾶν ἀρσενικόν, v.22: πᾶν ἀρσενικόν); now fulfilled — πάντες ἀρσενικοί. The compliance is total; the vulnerability is total.
πάντεςallNominativenominative subject (third πάντες: solemn repetition clinching universality)→ participant prominenceπάντες: meaning 'all'; it serves as nominative subject (third πάντες: solemn repetition clinching universality).
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἐξελθόντες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξελθόντεςthose who went outAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl Masc · ἐξέρχομαιsubstantival participle (the gate-formula repeated verbatim, closing the verse with the same formula it began with)→ constative aorist participleἐξέρχομαι: the exact repetition of the gate-formula creates a ring-structure for the verse, solemnly inscribing the scope of circumcised males. They are the same men Simeon and Levi will kill in v.25.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πύλην)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύληνgateAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐξελθόντες→ object specificationπύλην: meaning 'gate'; it serves as accusative direct object of ἐξελθόντες.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationπόλεως: meaning 'city'; it serves as genitive of possession.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
25
Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ, ὅτε ἦσαν ἐν τῷ πόνῳ, ἔλαβον οἱ δύο υἱοὶ Ιακωβ Συμεων καὶ Λευι οἱ ἀδελφοὶ Δινας ἕκαστος τὴν μάχαιραν αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰσῆλθον εἰς τὴν πόλιν ἀσφαλῶς καὶ ἀπέκτειναν πᾶν ἀρσενικόν.
And it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, the two sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, the brothers of Dinah, each took his sword and entered the city without hindrance and killed every male.
The framing formula Ἐγένετο δέ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ marks this as the pivotal narrative event. The ὅτε-clause (ὅτε ἦσαν ἐν τῷ πόνῳ) is the strategic detail — the third day is when circumcision pain is at its peak (rabbinic tradition confirms post-operative inflammation peaks on day three). The identification of Simeon and Levi as οἱ ἀδελφοὶ Δινας ('the brothers of Dinah') is the narrator's last invocation of the sibling bond that motivated the entire reprisal. The adverb ἀσφαλῶς ('without hindrance / safely') underscores the complete vulnerability of the circumcised city.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
Ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιframing verb (narrative episode-marker)→ constative aorist (inaugurating the climactic event)γίνομαι: the καὶ ἐγένετο / ἐγένετο δέ formula inaugurates a new, climactic episode; the same verb used at Ruth 1:1 and throughout LXX narrative. Here without the full καὶ ἐγένετο formula but retaining the episodic function.
δὲandnarrative particle (transitional)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal: 'on the day')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal: 'on the day').
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time ('on the day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the temporal phrase ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ marks the decisive day: three days after circumcision, when pain and inflammation are worst.
τῇtheDativearticle (with τρίτῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρίτῃthirdDativedative ordinal adjective (attributive with ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceτρίτος: 'third'; the third day has theological weight in the Hebrew Bible — the day of decisive resolution and divine encounter (Exod 19:11, 16; Hos 6:2). Here it is the day of mortal vulnerability exploited.
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunction (circumstantial: 'when they were in pain')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτε: meaning 'when'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίverb of circumstantial clause→ progressive imperfect (ongoing state of pain)εἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦσαν with the perfect participle ἠτιμασμένοι forms a periphrastic pluperfect-like construction ('had been / were in a state of being dishonored'), stressing the men's continuing condition of shame.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative / state)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative / state).
τῷtheDativearticle (with πόνῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόνῳpainDativedative of state ('in the pain [of circumcision]')→ sphere or referenceπόνος: 'pain / toil / suffering'; renders Hebrew כֹּאֲבִים ('in their soreness'); the LXX uses the general term for suffering rather than a medical term. The pain is the strategic window: the whole male population of a city is incapacitated.
ἔλαβονtookAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (the action: taking their swords)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; the verb that has run through the negotiation (vv.4, 9, 12, 17, 21, 23) as the operative term for marriage-acquisition now is used for the swords — a grim repurposing of the negotiation's core verb.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δύοtwoNominativenominative numeral (attributive: 'the two sons')→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; the explicit 'two sons' of Jacob distinguishes Simeon and Levi from the rest of the brothers who arrive only at v.27 for the plundering; the massacre is the act of two, not the whole family.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject.
Ιακωβof Jacobindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship.
ΣυμεωνSimeonindeclinable proper noun, subject (first of the two brothers named)→ participant identificationΣυμεων: LXX form of שִׁמְעוֹן (Šimʿôn, 'hearing'); second son of Jacob and Leah (Gen 29:33). His violence here is recalled in Jacob's curse at Gen 49:5–7.
καὶandconnective (compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΛευιLeviindeclinable proper noun, subject (second brother named)→ participant identificationΛευι: LXX form of לֵוִי (Lēwî, 'joined'); third son of Jacob and Leah (Gen 29:34). The tribe of Levi's subsequent priestly role (the Levitical priesthood) stands in permanent ironic tension with the founder's violence here; Jacob's curse (Gen 49:5) will be reversed only in Exod 32:26–29 (the Levites' loyalty in the golden calf crisis) and Num 25:10–13 (Phinehas's zeal).
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀδελφοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativenominative in apposition (relational identification: the brothers of Dinah)→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; the narrator's final identification of the two killers as οἱ ἀδελφοὶ Δινας anchors the violence in the sibling-honour framework — these men kill as brothers avenging a sister. The word ἀδελφή / ἀδελφός has been the chapter's honour-vocabulary throughout.
Διναςof Dinahindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (their sister)→ participant identificationΔινας: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (their sister).
ἕκαστοςeachNominativenominative distributive pronoun (each man took his own sword)→ participant referenceἕκαστος: 'each (one)'; the distributive pronoun emphasises that the action is individual and deliberate — each brother takes his own sword, not a shared weapon.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with μάχαιραν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μάχαιρανswordAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἔλαβον→ object specificationμάχαιρα: 'sword / knife / dagger'; renders Hebrew חַרְבּוֹ ('his sword'); the same weapon (μάχαιρης) recurs in v.26 (the killing of Hamor and Shechem ἐν στόματι μαχαίρης). The sword is the instrument of the reprisal for the violation.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (each man's own sword)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (each man's own sword).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθονenteredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (entry into the city)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; the reversal of ἐξῆλθεν (Dinah in v.1, Hamor in v.6): where Dinah went out and was vulnerable, Simeon and Levi go in with lethal force.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (directional)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the city entered for the massacre)→ object specificationπόλις: the city of Shechem, whose cooperation was so easily won and so fatally given.
ἀσφαλῶςwithout hindranceadverb of manner (the unchallenged entry)→ clausal contributionἀσφαλῶς: 'securely / safely / without risk'; renders Hebrew לָבֶטַח ('in security / with confidence'). The irony is sharp: the city is ἀσφαλῶς ('securely') entered by the killers because the males are too incapacitated to resist. The adverb of the killers' safety is simultaneously the mark of the victims' complete vulnerability.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (the massacre)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέκτεινανkilledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκτείνωmain verb (the massacre)→ constative aorist (completed total killing)ἀποκτείνω: 'kill / slay'; the compound ἀπο- intensifies the finality. The scope — πᾶν ἀρσενικόν ('every male') — exactly inverts the circumcision scope of vv.15, 22, 24: every male who was circumcised is now killed.
πᾶνeveryAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἀπέκτειναν (universal scope)→ object specificationπᾶν: meaning 'every'; it serves as accusative direct object of ἀπέκτειναν (universal scope).
ἀρσενικόνmaleAccusativeaccusative direct object (adjective used substantively)→ object specificationἀρσενικός: the word that appeared in the circumcision condition (πᾶν ἀρσενικόν, vv.15, 22) and the compliance report (πάντες ἀρσενικοί, v.24) now appears as the scope of the killing — every male that was circumcised is killed. The verbal echo is deliberate and devastating.
26
Καὶ τὸν Εμμωρ καὶ Συχεμ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπέκτειναν ἐν στόματι μαχαίρης καὶ ἔλαβον τὴν Δινα ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ Συχεμ καὶ ἐξῆλθον.
And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and they took Dinah from the house of Shechem and went out.
Hamor and Shechem are named individually in their death — a dignity denied the anonymous 'every male' of v.25. The formula ἐν στόματι μαχαίρης ('with the mouth/edge of the sword') is a standard LXX idiom for violent killing by the sword. The recovery of Dinah (ἔλαβον τὴν Δινα) is the stated purpose of the whole reprisal — finally accomplished. The chapter's first verb (Ἐξῆλθεν, Dinah going out) is now reversed: ἐξῆλθον, Simeon and Levi going out with Dinah.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Εμμωρ — accusative object)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΕμμωρHamorindeclinable proper noun, accusative direct object of ἀπέκτειναν→ participant identificationΕμμωρ: named in death, as in the negotiations; the diplomat who sealed his community's fate with his own persuasion.
καὶandconnective (second direct object)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣυχεμShechemindeclinable proper noun, accusative direct object of ἀπέκτειναν→ participant identificationΣυχεμ: named in death as he was named in the violation — the chapter's primary agent is also its primary victim, framing the whole narrative as a dark quid pro quo.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with υἱόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸνsonAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Συχεμ→ object specificationυἱὸν: meaning 'son'; it serves as accusative in apposition to Συχεμ.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (Hamor's son)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (Hamor's son).
ἀπέκτεινανkilledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκτείνωmain verb (the targeted killing of the two named leaders)→ constative aoristἀποκτείνω: the same verb as v.25; here applied to the named leaders individually after the wholesale slaughter of all males.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental: 'by the edge of the sword')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental: 'by the edge of the sword').
στόματιedgeDativedative of instrument ('with the mouth/edge of the sword')→ sphere or referenceστόμα: 'mouth'; the phrase ἐν στόματι μαχαίρης ('with the mouth of the sword') calques the Hebrew לְפִי חֶרֶב ('to the mouth of the sword'), the standard idiom for violent killing by the sword (cf. Gen 34:26; Josh 8:24; Judg 1:8, 25 LXX). The word 'mouth' for the blade's edge is a vivid anthropomorphism of the weapon.
μαχαίρηςof the swordGenitivegenitive object of στόματι (the sword's edge)→ relational specificationμάχαιρα: verbal echo of v.25; the sword each brother took (v.25) is the sword used here.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (the recovery of Dinah)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβονtookAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (Dinah's recovery: the stated purpose of the reprisal)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: the verb that Shechem used of his seizure of Dinah (v.2: λαβὼν αὐτήν) is now used of the brothers taking Dinah back — a deliberate verbal reversal. The wrongful λαβών is answered by the rightful ἔλαβον.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with Δινα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔιναDinahindeclinable proper noun, accusative direct object of ἔλαβον→ participant identificationΔινα: Dinah's name appears here for the last time — recovered, returned. She has not spoken a single word in the chapter; she is spoken of, fought over, and recovered, never addressed directly.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (ablative: source/location from which she is taken)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative: source/location from which she is taken).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with οἴκου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (the house where Dinah has been held)→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house / household'; that Dinah is still in Shechem's house implies she has been held there — perhaps willing, perhaps captive — since the violation. The text does not specify; the reader must infer.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with Συχεμ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Συχεμof Shechemindeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession (Shechem's house)→ participant identificationΣυχεμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession (Shechem's house).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθονwent outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (departure: the chapter's opening verb reversed)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; the same verb as the chapter's first word (Ἐξῆλθεν Δινα, v.1) — the narrative ring is complete. Dinah went out (ἐξῆλθεν) at the start; Simeon and Levi go out (ἐξῆλθον) with her at the end of the killing. What went wrong with one going-out is resolved by another going-out.
27
Οἱ δὲ υἱοὶ Ιακωβ εἰσῆλθον ἐπὶ τοὺς τραυματίας καὶ διήρπασαν τὴν πόλιν, ἐν ᾗ ἐμίαναν τὴν ἀδελφὴν αὐτῶν.
And the sons of Jacob came upon the slain and plundered the city, in which they had defiled their sister.
The verse distinguishes between the massacre (Simeon and Levi, vv.25–26) and the plunder (the sons of Jacob collectively). The relative clause ἐν ᾗ ἐμίαναν τὴν ἀδελφὴν αὐτῶν ('in which they had defiled their sister') is the narrator's final moral justification for the plunder — the city itself is the locus of Dinah's defilement, making it collectively liable in the brothers' ethical framework. The verb μιαίνω ('defile') echoes vv.5 and 13.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ΟἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί)→ noun-phrase markingΟἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲandnarrative particle (contrastive: the other brothers, distinct from Simeon and Levi)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (the wider group: all Jacob's sons, not just Simeon and Levi)→ participant prominenceυἱός: the group designation 'sons of Jacob' rather than naming individuals marks the broader participation in the plundering, distinct from Simeon and Levi's targeted killing.
Ιακωβof Jacobindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship.
εἰσῆλθονcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (entry of the wider group for plundering)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / come upon'; verbal echo of v.25 (Simeon and Levi εἰσῆλθον to massacre). Now the whole group enters — the same verb marks two successive invasions of the city.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (hostile: 'upon / against the slain')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile: 'upon / against the slain').
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with τραυματίας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τραυματίαςslainAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (those already killed by Simeon and Levi)→ object specificationτραυματίας: 'wounded / slain'; renders Hebrew חַלָּלִים ('slain / pierced ones'); the LXX uses the term for those fatally wounded in battle (cf. Ezek 26:15; Isa 66:16 LXX). The 'slain' are the males killed in vv.25–26; the rest of the family now comes to plunder over their bodies.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (the plundering)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διήρπασανplunderedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · διαρπάζωmain verb (the comprehensive plunder)→ constative aorist (completed act of plunder)διαρπάζω: 'plunder / loot / pillage thoroughly'; the compound δια- intensifies the thoroughness of the plundering. The same verb recurs in v.29. The plunder of an enemy city after a military victory is the standard ancient Near Eastern consequence of defeat; here it is applied to a city the narrator has presented as having acted in good faith.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative direct object of διήρπασαν→ object specificationπόλις: the city of Shechem — the whole settlement plundered as a consequence of one man's crime.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ᾗwhichDativedative relative pronoun (referent: the city; introducing the justificatory clause)→ participant reference or interestᾗ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative relative pronoun (referent: the city; introducing the justificatory clause).
ἐμίανανthey had defiledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · μιαίνωverb in relative clause (the narrator's stated justification for the plunder)→ constative aorist (the completed act of defilement that grounds the reprisal)μιαίνω: the defilement verb (vv.5, 13) in its final appearance, used by the narrator to anchor the plunder in the original crime. The pronoun subject ('they') refers to the Shechemites generally (Shechem's crime is attributed to the city), which is the brothers' logic for extending the reprisal to the whole city.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὴνsisterAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐμίαναν→ object specificationἀδελφή: the word that runs through the chapter (vv.13, 14, 27, 31); the narrator's use of τὴν ἀδελφὴν αὐτῶν ('their sister') in the justificatory clause keeps the sibling-honour framework operational even in the description of the plunder.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of relationship (the brothers')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (the brothers').
28
Καὶ τὰ πρόβατα αὐτῶν καὶ τοὺς βόας αὐτῶν καὶ τοὺς ὄνους αὐτῶν, ὅσα τε ἦν ἐν τῇ πόλει καὶ ὅσα ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ, ἔλαβον.
And their sheep and their cattle and their donkeys, and whatever was in the city and whatever was in the field, they took.
The plunder is catalogued with meticulous inventory: named animal categories (πρόβατα, βόας, ὄνους) followed by a catch-all covering city and field. The threefold list mirrors the threefold list of Hamor's economic appeal in v.23 (κτήνη, ὕπαρξις, τετράποδα) — what Hamor promised the city would gain from Jacob's livestock is now taken from the city by Jacob's sons.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (inventory continues)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with πρόβατα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρόβαταsheepAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἔλαβον (first plunder item)→ object specificationπρόβατον: 'sheep / flock animal'; renders Hebrew הַצֹּאן; the sheep are the primary wealth of a pastoral economy. The irony is sharp: Jacob's sons came with their father's flocks (v.5) and leave with the Shechemites' flocks as well.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (the Shechemites')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the Shechemites').
καὶandconnective (list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with βόας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βόαςcattleAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἔλαβον (second plunder item)→ object specificationβοῦς: 'ox / bull / cow'; the large bovine livestock, the second category of ancient Near Eastern wealth after small cattle.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandconnective (list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ὄνους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνουςdonkeysAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἔλαβον (third plunder item)→ object specificationὄνος: 'donkey / ass'; the primary draught and pack animal; Hamor's own name (Εμμωρ) means 'donkey' — the irony of the donkey-named Hamor's donkeys being taken is perhaps deliberate.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὅσαwhateverAccusativeaccusative relative pronoun (catch-all: 'whatever was in the city')→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much as / whatever / all that'; the relative pronoun with ἦν creates a comprehensive scope — everything without exception.
τεbothcorrelative particle (with καί: 'both … and')→ discourse linkage or contrastτε: meaning 'both'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (existence within the city)→ progressive imperfect (prior state)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλειcityDativedative of place (within the city limits)→ sphere or referenceπόλει: meaning 'city'; it serves as dative of place (within the city limits).
καὶandcorrelative connective (completing ὅσα τε … καί: 'both … and')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὅσαwhateverAccusativeaccusative relative pronoun (second scope: the open field)→ participant referenceὅσα: meaning 'whatever'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative relative pronoun (second scope: the open field).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πεδίῳfieldDativedative of place (the open country outside the city walls)→ sphere or referenceπεδίον: 'plain / field'; the sons of Jacob were in this same field (πεδίῳ) tending their flocks (v.5) when the crime was committed. Now they take the Shechemites' field-goods.
ἔλαβονthey tookAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (delayed to end: the taking is the chapter's final operative act for the livestock)→ constative aorist (total completed acquisition)λαμβάνω: the chapter's operative verb (vv.2, 4, 25, 26) at the end of its last inventory list. The taking that began with Shechem's wrongful λαβών ends with the brothers' comprehensive ἔλαβον.
29
Καὶ πάντα τὰ σώματα αὐτῶν καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν κτῆσιν αὐτῶν καὶ τὰς γυναῖκας αὐτῶν ᾐχμαλώτευσαν καὶ διήρπασαν πάντα τὰ ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις.
And all their persons and all their possessions and their wives they took captive, and they plundered everything that was in the houses.
Where v.28 catalogued livestock and field-goods, v.29 catalogues the human dimension of the plunder: persons (σώματα — euphemism for the non-combatant population taken as slaves), movable possessions, and wives. The comprehensive διήρπασαν πάντα τὰ ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις ('everything in the houses') rounds off the total inventory. Together vv.28–29 constitute what the ancient world called herem-like destruction — the comprehensive taking of everything.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (continuing inventory)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταallAccusativeaccusative modifier (universal quantifier with σώματα)→ attributive qualificationπᾶς: 'all'; the sweeping scope of the captive-taking.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σώματα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σώματαpersonsAccusativeaccusative direct object of ᾐχμαλώτευσαν (first category of human captives)→ object specificationσῶμα: 'body / person'; renders Hebrew הַטַּף ('children / little ones') in the Hebrew text, but the LXX uses σώματα, the standard term for enslaved persons (cf. Rev 18:13 LXX tradition; Gen 36:6). The term euphemistically designates the non-combatant population — women, children, dependents — taken as war-captives and potential slaves.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (the Shechemites')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the Shechemites').
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσανallAccusativeaccusative modifier (universal quantifier with κτῆσιν)→ attributive qualificationπᾶσαν: meaning 'all'; it serves as accusative modifier (universal quantifier with κτῆσιν).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κτῆσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτῆσινpossessionsAccusativeaccusative direct object of ᾐχμαλώτευσαν (second category: movable property)→ object specificationκτῆσις: 'possessions / property / acquisition'; renders Hebrew חֵילָם ('their wealth / strength'). The comprehensive 'all their possessions' alongside the human captives constitutes a total transfer of wealth.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandconnective (third category)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with γυναῖκας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναῖκαςwivesAccusativeaccusative direct object of ᾐχμαλώτευσαν (third category: the women)→ object specificationγυνή: 'woman / wife'; the women of Shechem — who were to have been given in marriage to Jacob's sons (v.9) under the brothers' deceitful proposal — are now taken as captives. The bitter irony: the women promised as wives are instead taken as slaves.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ᾐχμαλώτευσανthey took captiveAor Act Indic 3 Pl · αἰχμαλωτεύωmain verb (the taking of human captives)→ constative aorist (completed act of enslavement/captivity)αἰχμαλωτεύω: 'take captive / enslave'; from αἰχμάλωτος ('war-captive'), itself from αἰχμή ('spear') + ἁλίσκομαι ('be caught'). The technical vocabulary of warfare — captivity by the spear — applied here to the non-combatants left alive after the massacre.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (the household plunder)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διήρπασανplunderedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · διαρπάζωmain verb (the comprehensive household plunder)→ constative aoristδιαρπάζω: verbal echo of v.27; the same verb for the plundering of the city now applied to the specific contents of the houses.
πάνταeverythingAccusativeaccusative direct object of διήρπασαν (universal scope)→ object specificationπάντα: meaning 'everything'; it serves as accusative direct object of διήρπασαν (universal scope).
τὰthatAccusativearticle (with substantival participle: 'everything that was in the houses')→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with οἴκοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκοιςhousesDativedative of place (the houses of the city, entirely stripped)→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house / household'; the plural οἴκοις refers to all the houses of the city — not merely Shechem's single οἶκος from which Dinah was taken (v.26), but every house in the city.
30
Εἶπεν δὲ Ιακωβ τῷ Συμεων καὶ Λευι· Μισητόν με πεποιήκατε ὥστε πονηρόν με εἶναι πᾶσι τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν τὴν Χαναναίαν καὶ τοῖς Φερεζαίοις· ἐγὼ δὲ ὀλιγοστός εἰμι ἐν ἀριθμῷ, καὶ συναχθέντες ἐπ᾿ ἐμὲ συγκόψουσίν με, καὶ ἐκτριβήσομαι ἐγὼ καὶ ὁ οἶκός μου.
And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi: 'You have made me odious so as to make me hateful to all the inhabitants of the land of Canaan and to the Perizzites; and I am few in number, and they will gather against me and strike me down, and I and my household will be destroyed.'
Jacob's response is entirely pragmatic: no moral evaluation of the killing, only fear of the political consequences. The verb μισητόν με πεποιήκατε (the chapter's key perfect) marks the lasting damage. Jacob's two concerns are reputation (odious to the Canaanites and Perizzites) and survival (he is few in number and vulnerable to retaliation). The absence of any explicit moral evaluation of the slaughter is striking and has generated extensive interpretive debate — Jacob neither condemns nor condones, but fears. Gen 49:5–7 will provide the moral verdict at his deathbed.
Word-by-word analysis· 41 words
ΕἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing Jacob's rebuke)→ constative aoristΕἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲandnarrative particle (transitional)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙακωβJacobindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Συμεων in dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣυμεωνSimeonindeclinable proper noun, dative indirect object (addressee)→ participant identificationΣυμεων: Jacob addresses Simeon and Levi directly, not the whole group of brothers (v.27 shows all the brothers participated in the plundering, but the killing was theirs alone). The deathbed blessing of Gen 49:5 will recall this moment.
καὶandconnective (second addressee)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΛευιLeviindeclinable proper noun, dative indirect object (second addressee)→ participant identificationΛευι: the two full brothers who executed the massacre are jointly addressed. In Gen 49:5–7, Jacob will curse them together: 'their anger was fierce and their wrath was cruel; I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.'
ΜισητόνodiousAccusativeaccusative predicate complement of πεποιήκατε (double-accusative construction: 'you have made me [to be] odious')→ object specificationμισητός: verbal adjective from μισέω ('hate'), meaning 'hated / hateful / odious'; renders Hebrew עֲכַרְתֶּם אֹתִי ('you have troubled / brought disaster on me'). The LXX chooses μισητόν — 'you have made me a hated thing' — which shifts the emphasis from trouble to social enmity: Jacob has become a figure of hatred in the land.
μεmeAccusativeaccusative direct object of πεποιήκατε (Jacob as the one made odious)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of πεποιήκατε (Jacob as the one made odious).
πεποιήκατεyou have madePrf Act Indic 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (the perfect of lasting consequence: the damage is done and stands)→ resultant perfect (the present state of odiousness as the result of the brothers' action)ποιέω: 'do / make'; the perfect tense πεποιήκατε is the chapter's most carefully chosen verbal form: a state-of-affairs perfect expressing the lasting condition that Simeon and Levi have created. The perfective aspect marks the damage as irreversible — Jacob is now odious and will remain so. Gen 49:5 will echo this by assigning the curse to their 'anger' (θυμός) and 'wrath' (ὀργή).
ὥστεso as toconsecutive conjunction (result clause: the consequence of being made odious)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: meaning 'so as to'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πονηρόνhatefulAccusativeaccusative predicate complement with εἶναι (Jacob to be evil/hateful in others' eyes)→ object specificationπονηρός: 'evil / wicked / harmful'; here in the sense 'hateful / repugnant to' — Jacob fears he will be perceived as a dangerous enemy by the surrounding population. The word carries both moral connotation (evil) and social-relational connotation (odious, a source of harm).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive εἶναι→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of infinitive εἶναι.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive in result clause (the state of being hateful to all inhabitants)→ durative present infinitive (ongoing state)εἰμί (inf.): 'be'; the loose infinitive εἶναι ('to be / so as to be with Israel') is a Hebraizing construction expressing result/purpose — they turned so as to side with Israel.
πᾶσιto allDativedative of reference (those to whom Jacob is hateful)→ sphere or referenceπᾶσι: meaning 'to all'; it serves as dative of reference (those to whom Jacob is hateful).
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with κατοικοῦσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοικοῦσινinhabitantsPres Act Ptcp Dat Pl Masc · κατοικέωsubstantival participle, dative of reference ('to all the inhabitants')→ progressive participle (those currently dwelling in the land)κατοικέω: the settlement verb that has run through the chapter (vv.10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24) now appears in the mouth of Jacob's fear — all those who are settled in Canaan will regard him as an enemy.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with Χαναναίαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧαναναίανCanaanAccusativeaccusative direct object of κατοικοῦσιν ('those inhabiting the land of Canaan')→ object specificationΧαναναία: the land of Canaan — Jacob's family is a resident alien minority in this territory. His fear is geopolitical: the native population (Canaanites + Perizzites) could unite to destroy his small group.
καὶandconnective (second ethnic group)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with Φερεζαίοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΦερεζαίοιςPerizzitesDativedative of reference (second group to whom Jacob is odious)→ sphere or referenceΦερεζαῖος: LXX form of פְּרִזִּי (Perizzite); one of the pre-Israelite peoples of Canaan (cf. Gen 13:7; 15:20; Deut 7:1). The Canaanites and Perizzites together represent the settled population of the land — two of the seven nations destined for dispossession (Deut 7:1).
ἐγὼINominativenominative pronoun (subject: emphatic self-reference in Jacob's fear-speech)→ participant referenceἐγὼ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as nominative pronoun (subject: emphatic self-reference in Jacob's fear-speech).
δὲandparticle (contrastive: Jacob's vulnerable position)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀλιγοστόςfewNominativepredicate adjective (Jacob's numerical insignificance)→ participant prominenceὀλιγοστός: 'very few / a very small number'; a strong term for numerical inadequacy, rendering Hebrew מְתֵי מִסְפָּר ('men of number / few men'). The smallness of Jacob's clan compared to the surrounding Canaanite population is his vulnerability.
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (predicate: Jacob's self-assessment)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: 'be'; ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος renders אֲנִי יהוה.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere: 'in number')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere: 'in number').
ἀριθμῷnumberDativedative of respect/sphere ('few in number')→ sphere or referenceἀριθμός: 'number / count'; the phrase ὀλιγοστός εἰμι ἐν ἀριθμῷ is a Hebraism for 'I am few in number' (מְתֵי מִסְפָּר). Jacob's clan is small enough to be annihilated by a united Canaanite response.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Jacob's feared scenario)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συναχθέντεςhaving gatheredAor Pass Ptcp Nom Pl Masc · συνάγωadverbial participle of condition/temporal (the gathering of enemies as the precondition of attack)→ constative aorist participle (the completed gathering)συνάγω: 'gather / assemble'; the aorist passive participle describes the anticipated coalition of Canaanite peoples gathering against Jacob — a military assembly in response to the massacre.
ἐπ᾿againstpreposition + accusative (hostile: 'against me')→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile: 'against me').
ἐμὲmeAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (Jacob as the target)→ participant referenceἐμὲ: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (Jacob as the target).
συγκόψουσίνthey will strike downFut Act Indic 3 Pl · συγκόπτωmain verb of feared consequence (the military defeat)→ predictive future (Jacob's feared scenario)συγκόπτω: 'strike down / smite / cut to pieces'; a violent compound verb (σύν + κόπτω, 'cut together'); renders Hebrew וְהִכּוּנִי ('and they will smite me'). The violence of συγκόπτω anticipates the total destruction Jacob fears.
μεmeAccusativeaccusative direct object of συγκόψουσίν→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of συγκόψουσίν.
καὶandconnective (the ultimate consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκτριβήσομαιI will be destroyedFut Pass Indic 1 Sg · ἐκτρίβωmain verb of final consequence (total destruction)→ predictive future (the feared total annihilation)ἐκτρίβω: 'destroy utterly / rub out / exterminate'; the compound ἐκ- ('out') + τρίβω ('rub / wear away') together mean 'annihilate completely.' Renders Hebrew וְנִשְׁמַדְתִּי ('and I will be destroyed / wiped out'). The verb is used of the total destruction of peoples (Deut 28:51, 61 LXX). Jacob fears not merely military defeat but existential elimination.
ἐγὼINominativenominative subject (emphatic: 'I myself')→ participant referenceἐγὼ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as nominative subject (emphatic: 'I myself').
καὶandconnective (Jacob and his household together)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with οἶκός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκόςhouseholdNominativesubject (Jacob's household as the second threatened party)→ participant prominenceοἶκος: 'house / household / lineage'; the complete family unit — not merely Jacob himself but the entire household (the nascent Israel) is at risk. Jacob's fear is for the entire divine promise-line, not merely his personal safety.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
31
Οἱ δὲ εἶπαν· Ἀλλ᾿ ὡσεὶ πόρνῃ χρήσωνται τῇ ἀδελφῇ ἡμῶν;
And they said: 'But shall they treat our sister as a harlot?'
The chapter's last word is a deliberative question that the narrative leaves unanswered. The brothers do not defend their method (they do not reply to μισητόν or ὀλιγοστός); they reassert the honour-violation that initiated the whole episode. The deliberative subjunctive χρήσωνται ('shall they treat…?') places the moral weight squarely on the original crime: 'Your pragmatic fears are one thing — but was our sister to be treated as a prostitute?' The question is unanswerable within the logic of honour, and Genesis does not answer it. The chapter ends in suspension between Jacob's pragmatic fear and the brothers' honour-claim, with Dinah herself silent throughout. The shadow falls on Gen 49:5–7.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ΟἱtheNominativearticle (with substantival δέ: 'they / the [brothers]')→ noun-phrase markingΟἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲandnarrative particle (contrastive: the brothers' response to Jacob's rebuke)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (introducing the brothers' final retort)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; the brothers get the last word in the narrative — a deliberate structural choice that leaves the question hanging in the air.
Ἀλλ᾿butadversative conjunction (strong contrast to Jacob's speech: 'but / is it really the case that…?')→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: strong adversative; pivoting from Jacob's pragmatic concerns to the brothers' moral-honour restatement. The ἀλλά does not answer Jacob's speech but redirects to the ground-level question of Dinah's honour.
ὡσεὶas if / likecomparative particle ('as / like a harlot')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡσεί: 'as if / just as / like'; calques Hebrew כְּ; here introduces the comparison: treating Dinah 'like / as' a πόρνη. The comparison is the brothers' rhetorical reduction of the violation to its social-legal meaning: Shechem treated their sister as though she were available for casual sexual use.
πόρνῃharlotDativedative of manner / comparison (the comparator: 'as a harlot')→ sphere or referenceπόρνη: 'prostitute / harlot'; renders Hebrew כַּזּוֹנָה ('like a harlot / prostitute'). The term is chosen precisely: Shechem took Dinah without negotiation, consent, or proper marriage arrangement — the brothers argue he treated her as though she were commercially available for sexual use, i.e., as a prostitute. The legal and social force of the comparison is that an unchaste woman or a prostitute is 'fair game' in the honour system; the brothers insist their sister was not.
χρήσωνταιshall they treatAor Mid Subj 3 Pl · χράομαιdeliberative subjunctive (the chapter's closing unanswered question)→ deliberative aorist subjunctive (challenging the legitimacy of the action)χράομαι: 'use / treat / employ'; with the dative, 'treat (someone) in such-and-such a way.' The deliberative subjunctive χρήσωνται in a rhetorical question expresses moral indignation: 'Are they/were they to treat our sister like a harlot?' The question expects a negative answer but receives none from Jacob — the narrative ends here.
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἀδελφῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφῇsisterDativedative direct object of χρήσωνται ('treat their sister')→ sphere or referenceἀδελφή: 'sister'; τῇ ἀδελφῇ ἡμῶν — 'our sister' — is the word on which the entire chapter ends. The chapter opened with Dinah identified as θυγάτηρ Λειας, ην ετεκεν τω Ιακωβ, and closes with her identified as τῇ ἀδελφῇ ἡμῶν. Daughter becomes sister: the chapter's narrative arc is a movement from Dinah's identity within the parental generation (Jacob, Leah) to her identity within the fraternal generation (the twelve sons). The brothers claim her; she never speaks.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship (the brothers', the chapter's final word)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (the brothers', the chapter's final word).