They responded with profound anger and sorrow, recognizing the severity of the wrong done to their sister and their family’s integrity.
“Now the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved, and they were very angry because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter, for such a thing ought not to be done.” (v.7) When the scripture declares that Jacob’s sons “were grieved,” it highlights the deep sorrow they felt upon learning what transpired. The phrase also points toward an internal sense of outrage, as they realized that their sister had been dishonored in a manner that violated both familial respect and established cultural norms. Jacob, who lived around 2006-1859 BC, was the patriarch of the family, and his sons were entrusted with safeguarding the family's honor. In the broader context, Shechem, the area involved in this incident, lies in the hill country of Ephraim, about 49 miles north of Jerusalem. It was a region often marked by political transitions and significant covenant events throughout Israel’s history.
When the verse states that they “were very angry,” it underscores the depth of their moral and emotional response. They believed that this offense was not only against their sister but also against the identity and purity of the fledgling nation of Israel. The text emphasizes that this act “ought not to be done,” which echoes elsewhere in Scripture the idea that immorality and injustice are never dismissed or justified in God’s sight (1 Corinthians 6:18). Such righteous indignation reflects a commitment to protect their family and maintain ethical boundaries—a commitment that resonates with the moral teachings found throughout both the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, where the call to respect and care for others is reaffirmed (John 13:34).
Furthermore, the phrase “in Israel” suggests that the disgraceful deed was an assault against the entire faith community, not merely a private family matter. Jacob’s ancestors had received covenant promises that were meant to bless all nations (Genesis 28:14). Thus, the violation committed here went well beyond a personal insult; it threatened the reputation and holiness of the people chosen to be a blessing. In this sense, Genesis 34:7 highlights the call of God’s people to live uprightly and to confront sin, both within their own ranks and from outside influences.
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Genesis 34:7 meaning
“Now the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved, and they were very angry because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter, for such a thing ought not to be done.” (v.7) When the scripture declares that Jacob’s sons “were grieved,” it highlights the deep sorrow they felt upon learning what transpired. The phrase also points toward an internal sense of outrage, as they realized that their sister had been dishonored in a manner that violated both familial respect and established cultural norms. Jacob, who lived around 2006-1859 BC, was the patriarch of the family, and his sons were entrusted with safeguarding the family's honor. In the broader context, Shechem, the area involved in this incident, lies in the hill country of Ephraim, about 49 miles north of Jerusalem. It was a region often marked by political transitions and significant covenant events throughout Israel’s history.
When the verse states that they “were very angry,” it underscores the depth of their moral and emotional response. They believed that this offense was not only against their sister but also against the identity and purity of the fledgling nation of Israel. The text emphasizes that this act “ought not to be done,” which echoes elsewhere in Scripture the idea that immorality and injustice are never dismissed or justified in God’s sight (1 Corinthians 6:18). Such righteous indignation reflects a commitment to protect their family and maintain ethical boundaries—a commitment that resonates with the moral teachings found throughout both the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, where the call to respect and care for others is reaffirmed (John 13:34).
Furthermore, the phrase “in Israel” suggests that the disgraceful deed was an assault against the entire faith community, not merely a private family matter. Jacob’s ancestors had received covenant promises that were meant to bless all nations (Genesis 28:14). Thus, the violation committed here went well beyond a personal insult; it threatened the reputation and holiness of the people chosen to be a blessing. In this sense, Genesis 34:7 highlights the call of God’s people to live uprightly and to confront sin, both within their own ranks and from outside influences.