why did simeon and levi kill hamor and shechem

Brothers Simeon and Levi take the initiative in following through on their deceit (34:25-29), breaking faith their new blood brothers. It is likely that many were too drunk to put up a fight. So King Hamor and his son Shechem agree to Simeon and Levi’s request to be circumcised, they and their fellow townsmen. His sons negotiate and hatch a scheme; Simeon and Levi slaughter the Shechemites while they are in pain, and his sons pillage the city – all seemingly against Jacob’s wishes. Come to me.’ And who rallies to Moses’ call? (3). Do you have an acute sense of right and wrong? God scatters his Simeons and Levis. The Evangelical Magazine is published by the, Waterton Cross Business Park, South Road, Bridgend CF31 3UL, Registered charity number 222407. It is the sons of Levi, who at the Lord‘s command move through the camp executing the guilty. So it isn't surprising that Simeon and Levi (and perhaps their personal servants) were able to kill all the men when the odds were so heavily stacked in their favor. Though Simeon and Levi were the murderers, it appears that the other brothers joined them in looting the town afterwards. What then? They attacked the city when the people didn’t expect it. Shechem however wanted to marry Dinah, and while Jacob took a back seat, his sons feigned friendship with Shechem and the men of his city. Genesis 34 tells the story of how Jacob’s daughter, Dinah, was taken and “sullied” by Shechem, son of Hamor, the prince of the city. So it isn't surprising that Simeon and Levi (and perhaps their personal servants) were able to kill all the men when the odds were so heavily stacked in their favor. They took their sheep, their oxen, and their donkeys, what was in the city and what was in the field, and all their wealth. However in God’s school these Levite qualities were reshaped and redeemed. I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.’ God dilutes and disperses them, perhaps one to a church. He told his father to arrange a marriage between him and Dinah. Indeed, they join forces and go to war. But suppose you pour yourself a double measure of cordial? And so to save the day Moses issues this rallying cry ‘Who is on the Lord’s side? When Hamor asked Dinah's hand for his son Shechem, Simeon and Levi, to outwit him, replied that some delay was necessary in order to consult their grandfather Isaac about the matter. The Evangelical Magazine is published by the Evangelical Movement of Wales.Waterton Cross Business Park, South Road, Bridgend CF31 3UL.Registered charity number 222407. 2. His soul was strongly attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young woman and spoke kindly to the young woman" (Genesis 34:2-3). On account of their sin, the brothers will be scattered in the Promised Land without permanent inheritance rights (v. 7). What happened to the tribe of Levi? With a strong sense of justice they can, like Simeon and Levi, stir each other up to anger and worse. “25 Three days later, when the men were still sore from their circumcision, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, the brothers of Dinah, took their swords, went into the city without arousing suspicion, and killed all the men, 26 including Hamor and his son Shechem. But Shechem sticks his foot in and tries to speed up the negotiations. Gerard Hemmings5 minute readMay/June 2015, page 12, “Simeon and Levi are brothers—their swords are weapons of violence. ‘Simeon and Levi are brothers.’ When God’s people get together it is an opportunity for iron to sharpen iron. We don't know the circumstances, whether it was a case of rape or casual sex. Come to me.’ Are you a Levite? Other scholars, such as Lehming and Gevirtz, have argued that the original form of Gen 34 did not include specific mentions of Simeon and Levi and that Simeon and Levi were introduced later to provide a background for the curse in Gen 49: 5-7. Which of course is why every church will have at least one Levi or Simeon. "Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males" (Genesis 34:25). He raped Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and was later killed along with his father and all the males of his town by Simeon and Levi (Gn 34; Jos 24:32). We won’t spam you, or pass your details onto anyone else. What’s more, since they don‘t know when to stop, the impact upon a church can be devastating! So what does the Lord do with such people? Jacob’s sons respond with deceit and insist that the male population m… In medieval rabbinic literature, there were efforts to justify the killing, not merely of Shechem and Hamor, but of all the townsmen. Believers are to stir each other up to love and good works. What is ‘praying in the Spirit’ and how do we pray in this way? B. Simeon and Levi destroy the city of Shechem. It’s a hot day and you fancy some lime juice. 27 Jacob’s other sons found the dead bodies. 26 They also used their swords to kill Hamor and his son Shechem. Shechem subsequently grows to love her and asks his powerful father to help him obtain Dinah for a wife, which he proceeds to do. It was not long before their thoughts turned to murder and making a pretence of solidarity, they pursued a brutal vendetta against the unsuspecting Shechemites. Simeon and Levi Attack. BIBLE HISTORY AFTERMATH of the Attack on Shechem. —Ge 34:1-31. 2. Ask me ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give according to what you say to me; but give me the young woman as a wife" (Genesis 34:11-12). Then there are the sons of Jacob, led by Simeon and Levi, full brothers to Dinah. 25 Three days later, while all of them were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting city, killing every male. - Genesis 34:25–29. 26 They put Hamor and his son Shechem to the sword and took Dinah from Shechem’s house and left. We need our Levites, who will petition the Lord and burn for his glory, who when the crisis comes, will stand up for the weak and vulnerable, just as Moses did for the daughters of the priest of Midian. The old fire remained but it was now under control. 1. They were Jacob’s sons and Dinah’s brothers. “On the third day, when they were sore, two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and came against the city while it felt secure and killed all the males” (Gen. 34:25). They have the same nature and temperament and because of this, they readily pair off. 1. But sometimes two Christians are so alike that the sharpening has a wholly destructive purpose. Hamor, Shechem's father, presents a case of how a marriage between the two families would be beneficial to both families and the city. VS 34:25-31 - “ 25 Now it came about on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came upon the city unawares, and killed every male. Maimonides argued that the killing was understandable because the townsmen had failed to uphold the seventh Noachide law (denim) to establish a criminal justice system. But they are too alike for comfort! Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males. Maybe that’s why her protective blood brothers (Leah’s sons) felt justified in their actions. To Dinah's brothers, this came across as a man offering to pay for the services of a prostitute (Genesis 34:31). But to kill all the males in Shechem (34:25)? It also should be noted that Dinah did not return home, but was staying in Shechem's home. "The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and plundered the city, because their sister had been defiled. An agreement was apparently reached whereby Shechem could marry Dinah provided he and his people were circumcised. It was then that the deceit of Simeon and Levi was evident. "Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give. Their strong sense of justice morphs into something wicked and uncontrollable which does not rest until it has laid to waste the object of its fury. Shechem (Person). Such wounds are likely to become infected and usually the third day is the worse between the inflammation of the wound and any illness that might accompany it. A double dose turns this refreshing drink into an acrid experience. Levi and Simeon misused God’s holy circumcision for an evil end. Does the initial spark kindle a fire that rages out of control? Though Simeon and Levi were the murderers, it appears that the other brothers joined them in looting the town afterwards. Simeon and his brother Levi took violent revenge against the inhabitants of the city by tricking them into circumcising themselves and then killing them when they are weakened. The two men offer Jacob and his sons access to land holdings and handsome gifts in return for Dinah. Three days into the circumcision surgeries, Simeon and Levi, brothers to Dinah, came with swords boldly and killed all the men. Finally, what then is the key that turns Levites from a curse into a blessing? How many churches have been pulled back from the brink of spiritual adultery by the courageous stand of its Levites. Christian Standard Bible They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, took Dinah from Shechem’s … Shechem took Jacob’s sons at their word and he and the men of the city were duly circumcised. Do you see? For in their anger they killed men and in their wilfulness they hamstrung oxen.’ Perhaps this last phrase captures their spirit. They kept their side of the agreement only then for Simeon and Levi to wreak a terrible vengeance. Churches don’t need a double dose. All their little ones and their wives they took captive; and they plundered even all that was in the houses" (Genesis 37:27-29). The fierce anger that destroys can by God’s grace become the righteous anger that saves the day. 26 They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem’s house, and went forth. Now two days would pass, and on the third day (while the Shechemites were still in pain from being circumcised) the Sacred Record reveals, that Jacob's sons (who were being lead by Simeon and Levi) would enter the city, and after doing so, they'd came against the ailing Shechemites. Jacob’s sons killed them and looted the city because their sister had been violated. Simeon and Levi's violent revenge was not looked upon favorably by their father. So what will happen to Simeon and Levi and to their descendants? Their strong hand may have helped strike fear into their enemies (cf. So the brothers told Hamor and Shechem that they would only consent to the marriage if every man in the city was circumcised first. They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house [where she was staying], and left. However, before the males of Shechem could recover from being circumcised, Jacob’s sons Simeon and Levi attacked the city, killing Hamor, Shechem, and all the other men. Levi became the priestly tribe and was therefore scattered throughout all the tribes of Israel. Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased. They robbed the city where their sister had been raped. They murder Shechem and his father, and every male in town; they rape all the women and pillage the city. Maybe that’s why her protective blood brothers (Leah’s sons) felt justified in their actions. Do you seek to be a blessing to others and to know God’s blessing upon you? They took their flocks, herds, and donkeys, as well as everything in the city and in the surrounding fields. It is likely that many were too drunk to put up a fight. In the rough and tumble of church life, little grievances can spiral out of control and what once seemed righteous anger loses all sense of proportion. At Sinai Israel enters into a covenant with the Lord but within days the covenant is broken. It should be noted that, as in the case of Joseph, Reuben, the first-born son of Leah, was not a ringleader in the crime. They killed every male. They must be separated and diluted, otherwise they will team up to the ruin and sorrow of all. We do know that it wasn't until after he had violated Diana that Shechem decided that he loved Dinah. When wronged, do you repay with interest? Maimonides (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Kings 9:14) is of the opinion that according to the universal Seven Noahide Laws, Shechem and his nation were guilty of a capital crime for not fulfilling the seventh law of the Noahide Code: establishing courts of law … The most famous son of Levi was Moses and, like a Levite, in putting right an injustice, he went too far and killed an Egyptian. Their revenge was an action of such violence and cunning that it resulted in future tribes descending from Simeon … Be thankful you cannot team up with a Levi. Though cutting off the foreskin is a common practice today, it is typically done on newborn babies. View our privacy policy. We later read that ‘Moses was very meek, more than all the people who were on the face of the earth.’ In other words, Moses now exercised his strength with gentleness. Shechem, the son of the governor of the town, had had sex with Dinah, the sister of Simeon and Levi. The answer is found in Moses’ words, ‘Who is on the Lord’s side? He and his father went to arrange a marriage, but it is apparent that neither of them thought it wrong that Shechem was talking about marriage only after he had laid with Dinah. Reflect. They are the second and third sons of unloved Leah. He was more honorable than all the household of his father" (Genesis 34:19). Jacob continues, ‘Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath for it is cruel!’ These brothers lead each other on. Praise God! There is no excusing the crimes that they committed, and they are subsequently punished (see Genesis 49:5-7), a part of the saga that is a story unto itself. They also killed Hamor and Shechem; they took Dinah out of Shechem’s house and left with the spoils also and took their women and little ones captive. They told Shechem that they couldn’t dream of their sister marrying an uncircumcised man, but if all the men of the town were circumcised then it would be the beginning of cordial relations between these two large families and there could be inter-marriage. Naturally, Simeon and Levi risked retaliation from Shechemites if they slew only the guilty prince; their strategy protected them. You can unsubscribe at any time. Likely there are only several hundred people in town, including the women and children. He believed that their treachery would give the family a bad name and that their neighbors might unite and destroy his household. Simeon and Levi didn’t know when to stop, not only did they destroy a community but in their wilfulness they destroyed all they could not carry away. THEN THEY TOOK DINAH FROM SHECHEM’S HOUSE AND LEFT.” – Genesis 34:25-26 Simeon and Levi, two of Dinah's full brothers, break from the pack here. Questions and Answers regarding the Old Testament. "And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her. For adults, the operation is fairly painful -- and this was back in the days when they didn't have pain killers and other niceties of modern medicine. The most common pain killer in those days was alcohol, but it is also debilitating. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Hence Jacob’s words, ‘Let my soul come not into their council; O my glory be not joined to their company. For the supposition, that Simeon and Levi were content with taking their murderous revenge, and had no share in the plunder, is neither probable in itself nor reconcilable with what Jacob said on his death-bed (Genesis 49:5-7, observe שׁור עקּרוּ) about this very crime; nor can it be inferred from ויּצאוּ in Genesis 34:26, for this relates merely to their going away from the house of the two princes, not to their leaving Shechem … He would not be able to wear any protective armor and any movement would send waves of pain through him. However, Simeon's and Levi's slaughter and spoil of the city was not an act of "righteous indignation" (proper type of anger) but a violent and vengeful murderous attack that did not honor God or Jacob. Since I don’t have many people, they’ll align themselves together against me and attack me; and I will be destroyed, I and my household.” – Genesis 34:30. Do you bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things? He begins by stating the obvious, ‘Simeon and Levi are brothers.’ What is Jacob getting at? Their violence begets further violence. And so it is with Simeon and Levi. I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel.” (Genesis 49:5-7). Simeon and Levi even hamstrung Shechem’s oxen needlessly (v. 6), injuring innocent animals and ruining them as beasts of burden. At first, it seems that Simeon and Levi's anger against Shechem in Genesis was justified. The massacre of the men of the city of Shechem. Maybe in your church there are few who feel things as strongly as you do. ‘Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords.’ Jacob is speaking of the ‘Dinah incident’(Gen. 34), when his daughter was abducted and raped by Shechem. His father wasn't so honorable. Shechem must have been very much infatuated with Dinah because he agreed. Then Simeon and Levi took their swords. Next in this series: Gad and Asher: Two contrasting fiery trials ». They are so alike that they act as one and this double concentration leaves a bitter taste. Jacob speaks to Simeon and Levi. What’s more, to hear Moses pray was to realise that he had lost none of that acute sense of justice, only now it was turned to petition for the Lord’s people and his glory. Whereas the other brothers of Dinah seemed content to live with the agreement, Simeon and Levi took advantage of the weakened condition of the city and slew Hamor and Shechem. It was Esau who was to live by the sword (27:40), not Jacob. So Simeon and Levi were successful, when it came to putting every Shechemite to the sword. A son of Gilead of the tribe of Manasseh. Simeon and Levi were right to be angry at both the injustice done to Dinah and Hamor’s proposal of mixing the chosen Israelite seed with the Canaanite seed. He acted as if Dinah was for sale and he told them to name their price. Then they took Dinah from Shechem’s house and left. The account dramatizes the theme of tension between marriage within a group (endogamy) and marriage with outsiders (exogamy). In fact, we find this complement, "So the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he delighted in Jacob's daughter. Between the two of them, they convinced all the men of the city to be circumcised. It was dispersed among the tribe of Judah. Are you a Simeon? As expected, Jacob’s words would come true in the history of the nation of Israel. Do you know when to stop? Three days after the men were circumcised, Simeon and Levi "each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males" (verse 25). The first suggestion is that the bothers actually only intended to kill the criminals themselves but all the citizens of their city rose up in defense of their king and therefore Shimon and Levi were compelled to kill them all. ‘Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! Are you as ready to forgive as you have been forgiven? Are you patient, kind, slow to anger and willing to yield? View our, Gad and Asher: Two contrasting fiery trials, The human heart is a perpetual idol factory. Son of Hamor the Hivite. They put Hamor and his son Shecehm to the sword and took Dinah from Shechem's house and left." Golgotha - Why was Jesus crucified outside the city? So what happened to the tribe of Simeon? They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the sword, took Dinah from Shechem’s house, and left. However, taking the law into their own hands was flat out wrong. You need to realize that though it is called a city, it would not be very large by today's standards. 35:5). Simeon and Levi were right to be angry at both the injustice done to Dinah and Hamor’s proposal of mixing the chosen Israelite seed with the Canaanite seed. 26 And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem’s house…27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and plundered the city, because their sister had been defiled. They certainly share great blame. You pour lime cordial into a glass, add cool water and slake your thirst. Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! Want more like this? Reflect. When Jacob learned this he was upset with Simeon and Levi because of the trouble it could cause him in the land. a. He saw this as a way for the town to absorb the wealth of Jacob's family through marriages. ‘Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords.’ Jacob is speaking of the ‘Dinah incident’(Gen. 34), when his daughter was abducted and raped by Shechem. Simeon and Levi are indeed brothers, alike in every way. We need to be careful, anger is not as righteous as we think it is, and in the hands of Simeon and Levi, it escalates into something fierce and cruel. In the Torah's account of the rape of Dinah, wherein Dinah was raped (or in some versions, merely seduced) by a Canaanite named Shechem. He used no more force than was necessary and knew when to stop. Hamor means "ass" or "donkey," so make of it what you will. Then refuse to pursue a personal agenda, submit to godly leadership, rally to the Lord’s side and obey his voice. Do you nurse a grievance? Jacob continues, ’I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.’ In other words, Simeon and Levi are not safe to leave together.