The sons of Jacob, &c.— The sons of Jacob means here Simeon and Levi, who were the actors in this affair, as being the uterine brothers of Dinah. Jacob seems to have referred the matter to them, of whose deceitful and hypocritical conduct and design he appears to have been utterly unsuspicious. See Genesis 34:30.
REFLECTIONS.—We have here,
1. The resentment of Jacob's sons; highly provoked at the dishonour done the family, and, like many others, more incensed at the shame than grieved at the sin. They call it folly. Sin deserves that name. What so foolish as to offend the Holy God for a bestial indulgence, and wound not our own souls only, but every friend and relation? And how much more scandalous in a house where religion is professed? O did we know all the miseries of sin before we commit it, which we feel afterwards, nothing could tempt us to it!
2. Hamor's proposal to heal the breach by marriage, with the most generous offer of any dowry. Jacob's sons, under a pretence most specious, but with hearts panting for revenge, consent to the proposal, on condition of the Shechemites being circumcised. They cannot, they say, intermarry with the uncircumcised; that would be a reproach to them. Note; The most bloody designs have been often covered with the cloak of religion; but God seeth and judgeth; hypocrisy with him will be counted the deadliest of crimes.