And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.
Jacob heard that someone had violated his daughter Dinah. His sons were out in the fields with the livestock, so Jacob kept quiet and waited until they returned home.
Jacob learned that his daughter had been sexually assaulted, but he waited to respond until his sons came back from working in the fields.
📚 Historical Context
This verse follows the assault of Dinah by Shechem, a Canaanite prince, which was both a personal violation and a serious cultural offense in ancient Near Eastern society. In patriarchal times, fathers and brothers were responsible for protecting family honor, especially regarding daughters and sisters. Jacob's decision to wait for his sons reflects the gravity of the situation and the need for family consultation before taking action.
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