KJV ORIGINAL
But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
But if you won't listen to us and agree to be circumcised, then we'll take our daughter and leave.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is showing how Jacob's sons used circumcision as a non-negotiable condition for allowing their sister to marry into another family.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during negotiations between Jacob's sons and the Hivites after Shechem (a Hivite prince) had violated their sister Dinah and wanted to marry her. Circumcision was the physical sign of God's covenant with Abraham's descendants, making it a crucial religious and cultural boundary. The sons of Jacob were using this requirement as part of what would become a deceptive plan for revenge.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.
Share or Save