13. The sons of Jacob answered--The honor of their family consisted in having the sign of the covenant. Circumcision was the external rite by which persons were admitted members of the ancient Church. But that outward rite could not make the Shechemites true Israelites; and yet it does not appear that Jacob's sons required anything more. Nothing is said of their teaching the people to worship the true God, but only of their insisting on their being circumcised; and it is evident that they did not seek to convert Shechem, but only made a show of religion--a cloak to cover their diabolical design. Hypocrisy and deceit, in all cases vicious, are infinitely more so when accompanied with a show of religion; and here the sons of Jacob, under the pretense of conscientious scruples, conceal a scheme of treachery as cruel and diabolical as was, perhaps, ever perpetrated.
JFB.
Outline
1 Dinah is defiled by Shechem
4 Shechem entreats to marry Dinah
13 The sons of Jacob offer the condition of circumcision to the
Shechemites
20 Hamor and Shechem persuade them to accept it
23 The sons of Jacob slay them while they are weak
27 The sons of Jacob spoil their city.
Ancient Customs
Prince of the country
Defiled
Marriage
Circumcision
Dowry
Gift
the gate of his city
the edge of the sword
spoiled the city
harlot
Quick Reference Map
Map of the City of Shechem
(Click to Enlarge)
Ancient People
Dinah, Jacob, Hamor, sons of Jacob, Simeon, Levi
Hivites
Canaanites
Perizzites
Geography
Shechem
the land of Canaan
The Old Testament
Genesis Resources
Creation
Adam and Eve
The
Flood
The Tower of Babel
Abraham the First Hebrew
Isaac, Son of Promise
Jacob
and the 12 Tribes
Joseph
and Egypt