And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:
And they said to them, 'We cannot do this thing, give our sister to a man who is not circumcised. That would bring shame on us.'
The brothers are saying they can't allow their sister to marry someone who doesn't share their religious practices because it would dishonor their family.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of Genesis 34, Jacob's daughter Dinah was violated by Shechem, a prince from a neighboring group, and he then sought to marry her as a way to make amends. Jacob's sons, particularly Simeon and Levi, refused the marriage proposal because Shechem and his people were uncircumcised, viewing this as a direct insult to their sacred covenant with God, which required circumcision as a sign of faithfulness. This event underscores the deep cultural and religious importance of the Abrahamic covenant among the Israelites, highlighting how it influenced their interactions with outsiders.
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