Topical Bible: Anger: Sinful: Simeon and Levi

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In the biblical narrative, the account of Simeon and Levi's anger is a significant example of sinful wrath leading to violent actions. This episode is primarily recorded in Genesis 34, where the two brothers respond to the defilement of their sister, Dinah, by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite.

The incident begins when Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob, goes out to visit the women of the land. Shechem, the prince of the region, sees her, takes her, and violates her. Despite this grievous act, Shechem's soul is drawn to Dinah, and he desires to marry her, speaking tenderly to her and asking his father, Hamor, to arrange the marriage (Genesis 34:1-4).

When Jacob hears of the defilement, he remains silent until his sons return from the fields. Upon learning of the incident, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's full brothers, are filled with anger and grief, considering Shechem's act a disgraceful thing in Israel (Genesis 34:5-7). Their anger, however, quickly turns to deceit and violence.

Hamor approaches Jacob and his sons to negotiate the marriage, offering generous terms and proposing intermarriage between their peoples. Shechem himself is willing to pay any bride price for Dinah (Genesis 34:8-12). However, Simeon and Levi deceitfully agree to the marriage on the condition that all the males in Shechem's city be circumcised, claiming it is a necessary step for them to give their sister in marriage (Genesis 34:13-17).

Hamor and Shechem agree to the terms, and the men of the city undergo circumcision. On the third day, when the men are in pain, Simeon and Levi take their swords and attack the unsuspecting city, killing all the males, including Hamor and Shechem. They then rescue Dinah from Shechem's house and plunder the city, taking flocks, herds, women, and children (Genesis 34:25-29).

Jacob, upon learning of their actions, rebukes Simeon and Levi, fearing retaliation from the surrounding Canaanite and Perizzite inhabitants. He expresses concern that their family will be destroyed due to the brothers' rash and violent actions (Genesis 34:30). Simeon and Levi, however, justify their actions by questioning whether their sister should have been treated like a prostitute (Genesis 34:31).

The consequences of Simeon and Levi's sinful anger are further highlighted in Jacob's prophetic blessings over his sons in Genesis 49. Jacob condemns their fierce anger and cruel wrath, declaring that their descendants will be scattered in Israel (Genesis 49:5-7). This prophecy is fulfilled as the tribe of Simeon becomes one of the smallest tribes, eventually absorbed into the territory of Judah, while the tribe of Levi is set apart for priestly duties, dispersed throughout Israel without a territorial inheritance.

The account of Simeon and Levi serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of unchecked anger and the importance of seeking justice through righteous means rather than personal vengeance.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 49:5-7
Simeon and Levi are brothers; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Chapter xlix
... He pronounces a curse upon such "anger," for it was not holy ... Simeon increased rapidly
at first ... a strong tribe, it might have perpetuated the father's sinful ways ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

Chapter xxxiv
... But Delitzsch very properly adds: "Simeon and Levi have ... recorded for all times:
"Cursed be their anger.". ... God Himself prevents further sinful delay by allowing ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

Jesus and his Brethren
... was Benjamin, and which was Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, and ... name's sake, will I
defer mine anger; wherefore, 'Come ... a crucifix; we should think it sinful to do ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 43 1897/jesus and his brethren.htm

Three Homilies. On Our Lord.
... Is it on account of the fury of His anger, that whoso ... Thus the sinful woman by the
flood of her tears, in ... 48. Now Simeon the priest, when he took Him up in his ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/three homilies on our lord.htm

Second Sunday after Epiphany
... Anger is styled zeal; avarice is called prudence; and ... He sustains us, frail, corrupt,
sinful beings that we ... patriarch, cursed his sons Reuben, Simeon and Levi. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after epiphany.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... after the expulsion of the tribe of Levi, they had ... destroyed; but the destruction
of the sinful mass shall ... After the numbering of Israel, when the anger of the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... the things which are unseen, soars above the highest heavens, and again, dragged
down by the weight of the body, falls back on material passions, anger and fear ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm