Genesis 34:21
New International Version
“These men are friendly toward us,” they said. “Let them live in our land and trade in it; the land has plenty of room for them. We can marry their daughters and they can marry ours.

New Living Translation
“These men are our friends,” they said. “Let’s invite them to live here among us and trade freely. Look, the land is large enough to hold them. We can take their daughters as wives and let them marry ours.

English Standard Version
“These men are at peace with us; let them dwell in the land and trade in it, for behold, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters as wives, and let us give them our daughters.

Berean Standard Bible
“These men are at peace with us. Let them live and trade in our land; indeed, it is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters in marriage and give our daughters to them.

King James Bible
These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

New King James Version
“These men are at peace with us. Therefore let them dwell in the land and trade in it. For indeed the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters to us as wives, and let us give them our daughters.

New American Standard Bible
“These men are friendly to us; therefore let them live in the land and trade in it, for behold, the land is large enough for them. We will take their daughters in marriage, and give our daughters to them.

NASB 1995
“These men are friendly with us; therefore let them live in the land and trade in it, for behold, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters in marriage, and give our daughters to them.

NASB 1977
“These men are friendly with us; therefore let them live in the land and trade in it, for behold, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters in marriage, and give our daughters to them.

Legacy Standard Bible
“These men are peaceful with us; therefore let them live in the land and trade in it, for behold, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters for us as wives and give our daughters to them.

Amplified Bible
“These men are peaceful and friendly with us; so let them live in the land and do business in it, for the land is large enough [for us and] for them; let us take their daughters for wives and let us give them our daughters [in marriage].

Christian Standard Bible
“These men are peaceful toward us,” they said. “Let them live in our land and move about in it, for indeed, the region is large enough for them. Let’s take their daughters as our wives and give our daughters to them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
These men are peaceful toward us,” they said. “Let them live in our land and move about in it, for indeed, the region is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters as our wives and give our daughters to them.

American Standard Version
These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for, behold, the land is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

Contemporary English Version
These people really are friendly. Why not let them move freely about until they find the property they want? There's enough land here for them and for us. Then our families can marry into theirs, and theirs can marry into ours.

English Revised Version
These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for, behold, the land is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"These people are friendly toward us, so let them live in our land and move about freely in the area. Look, there's plenty of room in this land for them. We can marry their daughters and let them marry ours.

Good News Translation
"These men are friendly; let them live in the land with us and travel freely. The land is large enough for them also. Let us marry their daughters and give them ours in marriage.

International Standard Version
"These men are at peace with us," they announced. "Therefore, let them live in the land and trade in it. Look! The land is large enough for them. Let's take their daughters as wives for ourselves and let's give our sons to them.

Majority Standard Bible
“These men are at peace with us. Let them live and trade in our land; indeed, it is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters in marriage and give our daughters to them.

NET Bible
"These men are at peace with us. So let them live in the land and travel freely in it, for the land is wide enough for them. We will take their daughters for wives, and we will give them our daughters to marry.

New Heart English Bible
"These men are at peace with us. Therefore let them live in the land and travel in it. For look, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters as wives for ourselves, and let us give them our daughters.

Webster's Bible Translation
These men are peaceable with us, therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein: for the land, behold, it is large enough for them: let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

World English Bible
“These men are peaceful with us. Therefore let them live in the land and trade in it. For behold, the land is large enough for them. Let’s take their daughters to us for wives, and let’s give them our daughters.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“These men are peaceable with us; then let them dwell in the land, and trade [in] it; and the land, behold, [is] wide before them; their daughters let us take to ourselves for wives, and our daughters give to them.

Young's Literal Translation
These men are peaceable with us; then let them dwell in the land, and trade in it; and the land, lo, is wide before them; their daughters let us take to ourselves for wives, and our daughters give to them.

Smith's Literal Translation
These men they are living peacefully with us, and they shall dwell in the land, and traffic in it; and the land, behold, being broad to the hands before them: we will take their daughters to us for wives, and give our daughters to them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
These men are peaceable and willing to dwell with us: let them trade in the land, and till it, which being large and wide wanteth men to till it: we shall take their daughters for wives, and we will give them ours.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“These men are peaceful, and they want to live among us. Let them trade in the land and cultivate it, for, being spacious and broad, it is in need of cultivation. We will receive their daughters as wives, and we will give them ours.

New American Bible
“These men are friendly toward us. Let them settle in the land and move about in it freely; there is ample room in the land for them. We can take their daughters in marriage and give our daughters to them.

New Revised Standard Version
“These people are friendly with us; let them live in the land and trade in it, for the land is large enough for them; let us take their daughters in marriage, and let us give them our daughters.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade in it, for the land is large enough before them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“These men are in agreement with us; they will dwell in the land and they will trade in it, and now the land expanse round about is before them. We will take their daughters to ourselves as wives and we will give our daughters to them.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for, behold, the land is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
These men are peaceable, let them dwell with us upon the land, and let them trade in it, and behold the land is extensive before them; we will take their daughters to us for wives, and we will give them our daughters.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Revenge of Dinah's Brothers
20So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate of their city and addressed the men of their city: 21“These men are at peace with us. Let them live and trade in our land; indeed, it is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters in marriage and give our daughters to them. 22But only on this condition will the men agree to dwell with us and be one people: if all our men are circumcised as they are.…

Cross References
Joshua 9:15
And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.

1 Samuel 18:22
Then Saul ordered his servants, “Speak to David privately and tell him, ‘Behold, the king is pleased with you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore, become his son-in-law.’”

2 Samuel 3:12-13
Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and surely my hand will be with you to bring all Israel over to you.” / “Good,” replied David, “I will make a covenant with you. But there is one thing I require of you: Do not appear before me unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal when you come to see me.”

1 Kings 5:12
And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.

2 Kings 11:4
Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards, and had them brought into the house of the LORD. There he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. He showed them the king’s son

Nehemiah 9:24-25
So their descendants went in and possessed the land; You subdued before them the Canaanites dwelling in the land. You delivered into their hands the kings and peoples of the land, to do with them as they wished. / They captured fortified cities and fertile land and took houses full of all goods, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled; they grew fat and delighted in Your great goodness.

Esther 8:17
In every province and every city, wherever the king’s edict and decree reached, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many of the people of the land themselves became Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.

Psalm 120:7
I am in favor of peace; but when I speak, they want war.

Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

Isaiah 32:18
Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure places of rest.

Jeremiah 29:7
Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

Ezekiel 16:14
Your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect in the splendor I bestowed on you, declares the Lord GOD.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Luke 10:5-6
Whatever house you enter, begin by saying, ‘Peace to this house.’ / If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.


Treasury of Scripture

These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

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Daughters Dwell Enough Friendly Live Peaceable Peaceful Therein Trade Wives
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Daughters Dwell Enough Friendly Live Peaceable Peaceful Therein Trade Wives
Genesis 34
1. Dinah is ravished by Shechem.
4. He requests to marry her.
13. The sons of Jacob offer the condition of circumcision to the Shechemites.
20. Hamor and Shechem persuade them to accept it.
25. The sons of Jacob upon that advantage slay them, and spoil their city.
30. Jacob reproves Simeon and Levi.














These men are peaceful toward us
The phrase "These men are peaceful" reflects the perception of the Hivites towards Jacob and his sons. The Hebrew word for "peaceful" is "שָׁלֵם" (shalem), which is related to "shalom," meaning peace, completeness, or welfare. This indicates a desire for harmonious relations and mutual benefit. Historically, peace treaties and alliances were common in the ancient Near East, often sealed by intermarriage and trade agreements. The Hivites' statement suggests a willingness to integrate and coexist, highlighting the importance of peace and diplomacy in maintaining societal stability.

Let them live and trade in the land
The invitation to "live and trade" signifies an openness to economic and social integration. The Hebrew word for "trade" is "סָחַר" (sachar), which implies commerce and exchange. In the ancient world, trade was a vital component of survival and prosperity, facilitating the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas. The Hivites' proposal reflects a recognition of the potential benefits of such interactions, emphasizing the value of economic cooperation and the sharing of resources.

indeed, the land has plenty of room for them
The phrase "the land has plenty of room" suggests an abundance of resources and space, indicating that the Hivites saw no immediate threat of scarcity or conflict over territory. The Hebrew word "רַחַב" (rachab) means spacious or wide, conveying a sense of generosity and hospitality. This openness to sharing the land underscores the biblical principle of stewardship and the belief that God's creation is sufficient for all when managed wisely and justly.

We can marry their daughters, and they can marry ours
The proposal for intermarriage is a significant cultural and social gesture. In ancient times, marriage was not only a personal union but also a means of forming alliances and ensuring peace between different groups. The Hebrew word for "marry" is "לָקַח" (laqach), meaning to take or receive, indicating a formal and binding agreement. This mutual exchange of daughters in marriage symbolizes a deep level of trust and commitment to unity, reflecting the biblical theme of reconciliation and the breaking down of barriers between peoples.

(21) Let us take their daughters . . . --In a young community, such as this of the Hivites at Shechem appears to have been, the addition of a large number of women was a valuable increase of their strength, and one that brought the promise also of future extension. Jacob's men were also chiefly of the Semitic stock, and therefore possessed of high physical and mental endowments; and as they were rich in cattle and other wealth, their incorporation with the people of Shechem would raise it to a high rank among the petty states of Canaan. There was much plausibility, therefore, in Hamor's proposal and arguments.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“These
הָאֵ֜לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

men
הָאֲנָשִׁ֨ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

are at peace
שְֽׁלֵמִ֧ים (šə·lê·mîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 8003: Complete, safe, at peace

with us.
אִתָּ֗נוּ (’it·tā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

Let them live
וְיֵשְׁב֤וּ (wə·yê·šə·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

and trade
וְיִסְחֲר֣וּ (wə·yis·ḥă·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5503: To go around or about, travel about

in our land;
בָאָ֙רֶץ֙ (ḇā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

indeed,
הִנֵּ֥ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

[it]
וְהָאָ֛רֶץ (wə·hā·’ā·reṣ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

is large
רַֽחֲבַת־ (ra·ḥă·ḇaṯ-)
Adjective - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7342: Wide, broad

enough for them.
לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם (lip̄·nê·hem)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

Let us take
נִקַּֽח־ (niq·qaḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3947: To take

their daughters
בְּנֹתָם֙ (bə·nō·ṯām)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1323: A daughter

in marriage
לְנָשִׁ֔ים (lə·nā·šîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

and give
נִתֵּ֥ן (nit·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

our daughters to them.
בְּנֹתֵ֖ינוּ (bə·nō·ṯê·nū)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 1323: A daughter


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OT Law: Genesis 34:21 These men are peaceful with us (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 34:20
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