Genesis 34: The Story Of Simeon And Levi

Genesis 34 is a passage filled with sin. Contextually one might question the characters action and ponder their lawfulness. However it's not the law that we live by that dictates and predates these actions. There is no divine sanction for the acts of Simeon and Levi (Jacob's 2nd and 3rd sons respectively). Remember the tragedies that take place in this chapter and the confusing morals all stem from the concept of compromise whether fulfilled or not. I write the paper as a testament of my understanding of genesis 34. I stand to say that it's affliction is the direct result of Jacob’s failure to be obedient to God’s command to return to Bethel. This act of compromise cost his daughter dearly and put the rest of the covenant family of God at risk. The story of genesis 34 stands as a chilling reminder of how half-hearted obedience is seen by God. Bare in mind that what follows this paragraph may not be pleasant for some but it is my interpretation. This paper shall examine the actions of the covenant family. Our story begins in 34:1: Dinah is in her early teens and she is Jacob’s only daughter. The narrative reminds us that Dinah is “the daughter of Leah”—the “unloved” wife of …show more content…
Outside of the women of their own family, Simeon and Levi sympathy does not extend to women and children. The fact that the brothers punished everyone for the oppressive and violent behavior of rape is a radical idea, they take women and children as their prizes (verses 27-29). The text indicates that the brothers treated the women of the town they raided as objects like captured animals or gold. Although the severity of Dinah's brothers actions are difficult to justify, the case still stands that the massacre occurred as a consequence of the rape. The brothers kill other men, plunder a town, and capture the women and children because the Shechemites participated in the “oppression of their sister” (verse