Dinah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis, specifically in Genesis 30:21 and Genesis 34. She is the daughter of Jacob and Leah, making her one of the twelve children of Jacob, who is also known as Israel. Dinah's account is significant in the narrative of the patriarchs and provides insight into the social and familial dynamics of the time.

Family Background

Dinah was born to Jacob and Leah after Leah had already borne Jacob several sons. Genesis 30:21 states, "Afterward she bore a daughter and named her Dinah." As the only recorded daughter of Jacob, Dinah's presence in the narrative highlights the importance of her account, despite the male-centric genealogies typical of the time.

The Incident at Shechem

Dinah's most notable biblical account is found in Genesis 34, which details her encounter with Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite. The text describes how Dinah went out to visit the women of the land, and Shechem, seeing her, "took her and lay with her by force" (Genesis 34:2). This act of defilement led to significant repercussions for both Dinah's family and the inhabitants of Shechem.

Shechem, having developed an affection for Dinah, spoke to his father Hamor, requesting her as his wife. Hamor approached Jacob and his sons to negotiate a marriage arrangement, offering to intermarry and dwell together in peace. However, Jacob's sons, particularly Simeon and Levi, were outraged by the violation of their sister and devised a plan for retribution.

The Deceptive Agreement and Its Consequences

Simeon and Levi deceitfully agreed to the marriage on the condition that all the males in Shechem be circumcised, aligning with the covenantal sign given to Abraham's descendants. Hamor and Shechem agreed, and the men of the city underwent circumcision. On the third day, when the men were in pain, Simeon and Levi attacked the city, killing all the males, including Hamor and Shechem, and rescuing Dinah from Shechem's house (Genesis 34:25-26).

The brothers' actions were driven by a sense of justice and protection for their sister, but they also brought about a moral and ethical dilemma. Jacob rebuked Simeon and Levi for their violent response, fearing retaliation from the surrounding Canaanite tribes. He said, "You have brought trouble on me by making me a stench to the inhabitants of the land" (Genesis 34:30).

Legacy and Theological Implications

Dinah's account raises complex issues regarding justice, honor, and the treatment of women in ancient times. Her narrative is often examined in discussions about the patriarchal society of the Old Testament and the lengths to which her brothers went to defend her honor. The account also foreshadows the future struggles and moral challenges faced by the tribes of Israel.

While Dinah's personal voice is not recorded in the biblical text, her account has been the subject of much interpretation and reflection throughout history. Her experience serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by women in biblical times and the familial bonds that could both protect and endanger them.1783. Dinah -- daughter of Jacob
... 1782, 1783. Dinah. 1784 . daughter of Jacob. Transliteration: Dinah
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-naw') Short Definition: Dinah. Word ...
/hebrew/1783.htm - 6k

To Brother Raimondo of Capua of the Order of the Preachers
... even something of her exaltation, one is irresistibly reminded of another
scene"George Eliot's marvellous description in "Adam Bede" of Dinah's ministry to ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to brother raimondo of capua.htm

Epistle Lxvii. To Domitian, Metropolitan .
... may be held without hesitation. For her violator (ie Dinah's) is called
the prince of the country (Genes. xxxiv.2), by whom the ...
/.../epistle lxvii to domitian metropolitan.htm

Dinah's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dinah's (2 Occurrences). Genesis 34:11 Shechem
said to her father and to her brothers, "Let me find favor ...
/d/dinah's.htm - 7k

Dinah (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DINAH. ... Multi-Version Concordance Dinah (7 Occurrences).
Genesis 30:21 Afterwards, she bore a daughter, and named her Dinah. ...
/d/dinah.htm - 10k

Killing (41 Occurrences)
... Genesis 34:25 It happened on the third day, when they were sore, that two of Jacob's
sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword, came upon ...
/k/killing.htm - 19k

Unsuspecting (9 Occurrences)
... Genesis 34:25 It happened on the third day, when they were sore, that two of Jacob's
sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword, came upon ...
/u/unsuspecting.htm - 9k

Dinaites (1 Occurrence)

/d/dinaites.htm - 7k

Males (51 Occurrences)
... Genesis 34:25 It happened on the third day, when they were sore, that two of Jacob's
sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword, came upon ...
/m/males.htm - 22k

Attacked (93 Occurrences)
... Genesis 34:25 It happened on the third day, when they were sore, that two of Jacob's
sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword, came upon ...
/a/attacked.htm - 33k

Swords (50 Occurrences)
... Genesis 34:25 But on the third day after, before the wounds were well, two of the
sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took their swords and came ...
/s/swords.htm - 22k

Shechem (61 Occurrences)
... Then follows the story of Dinah's defilement by Shechem, son of the city's chief;
and of the treacherous and terrible vengeance exacted by Simeon and Levi ...
/s/shechem.htm - 38k

Levi (79 Occurrences)
... 29:34), "This time will my husband be joined [Hebrews yillaveh] unto me." He is
mentioned as taking a prominent part in avenging his sister Dinah (Genesis 34:25 ...
/l/levi.htm - 35k

Who was Dinah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Levi in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about sexual assault? | GotQuestions.org

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