Jacob chastises Simeon and Levi for their actions, fearing retribution from surrounding peoples. However, Simeon and Levi defend themselves, arguing that Shechem should not have been allowed to treat their sister as dishonorably as he did.

Sum it up!

  1. Justice and Revenge: The story raises questions about justice versus vengeance. Simeon and Levi’s actions stem from a desire to defend their sister’s honor but lead to excessive violence.
  2. Deception: The brothers use deceit as a means to an end, which complicates the moral dynamics of the story.
  3. Family and Honor: The narrative emphasizes the importance of family loyalty and the protection of familial honor, even as it showcases the devastating consequences of unchecked anger and revenge.
  4. Cultural Clash: The chapter highlights cultural and moral differences between Jacob’s family and the people of Shechem.

It reads in Genesis 34:30–31 Easy:

When they returned to Jacob, he said to Simeon and Levi, ‘You have brought bad trouble to me! The people who live in this land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites, will hate me. I will be like a bad smell to them. We do not have many men to fight for us. If the Perizzites and Canaanites join together and they attack us, they will destroy our whole family!’ But Simeon and Levi replied, ‘Shechem should not have had sex with our sister as if she were a prostitute.’