Genesis 34:24
New International Version
All the men who went out of the city gate agreed with Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male in the city was circumcised.

New Living Translation
So all the men in the town council agreed with Hamor and Shechem, and every male in the town was circumcised.

English Standard Version
And all who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

Berean Standard Bible
All the men who went out of the city gate listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male of the city was circumcised.

King James Bible
And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

New King James Version
And all who went out of the gate of his city heeded Hamor and Shechem his son; every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

New American Standard Bible
All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and to his son Shechem, and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

NASB 1995
All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and to his son Shechem, and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

NASB 1977
And all who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and to his son Shechem, and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

Legacy Standard Bible
And all who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and to his son Shechem, and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

Amplified Bible
And every [Canaanite] man who went out of the city gate listened and considered what Hamor and Shechem said; and every male who was a resident of that city was circumcised.

Christian Standard Bible
All the men who had come to the city gates listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and all those men were circumcised.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
All the able-bodied men listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and all the able-bodied men were circumcised.

American Standard Version
And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

Contemporary English Version
Every grown man followed this advice and got circumcised.

English Revised Version
And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
All the men who had come out to the city gate agreed with Hamor and his son Shechem. So they were all circumcised at the city gate.

Good News Translation
All the citizens of the city agreed with what Hamor and Shechem proposed, and all the males were circumcised.

International Standard Version
All of the males who heard Hamor and his son Shechem, who had gone out to the city gate, were circumcised.

Majority Standard Bible
All the men who went out of the city gate listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male of the city was circumcised.

NET Bible
All the men who assembled at the city gate agreed with Hamor and his son Shechem. Every male who assembled at the city gate was circumcised.

New Heart English Bible
All who went out of the gate of his city agreed with Hamor and his son Shechem; and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

Webster's Bible Translation
And to Hamor and to Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city: and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

World English Bible
All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor, and to Shechem his son; and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And to Hamor, and to his son Shechem, do all those going out of the gate of his city listen, and every male is circumcised, all those going out of the gate of his city.

Young's Literal Translation
And unto Hamor, and unto Shechem his son, hearken do all those going out of the gate of his city, and every male is circumcised, all those going out of the gate of his city.

Smith's Literal Translation
And to Hamor and to Shechem his son, will listen all going out of the gate of the city: and they will circumcise every male, all going out of the gate of the city.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they all agreed, and circumcised all the males.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they all agreed to circumcise every one of the males.

New American Bible
All who went out of the gate of the city listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and all the males, all those who went out of the gate of the city, were circumcised.

New Revised Standard Version
And all who went out of the city gate heeded Hamor and his son Shechem; and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when all the adults of the town had heard from Shechem and from his father Hamor, they circumcised every male, those that went out of the gate of his town.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And everyone exiting the gate of his city heard from Shekeem and they circumcised every male, all that went out the gate of his city.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And all that went in at the gate of their city hearkened to Emmor and Sychem his son, and they were circumcised in the flesh of their foreskin every male.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Revenge of Dinah's Brothers
23Will not their livestock, their possessions, and all their animals become ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell among us.” 24All the men who went out of the city gate listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male of the city was circumcised. 25Three days later, while they were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons (Dinah’s brothers Simeon and Levi) took their swords, went into the unsuspecting city, and slaughtered every male.…

Cross References
Genesis 17:10-14
This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. / You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. / Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner—even those who are not your offspring. ...

Exodus 12:48
If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in the household must be circumcised; then he may come near to celebrate it, and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it.

Joshua 5:2-9
At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again.” / So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth. / Now this is why Joshua circumcised them: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of war—had died on the journey in the wilderness after they had left Egypt. ...

1 Samuel 18:25-27
Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king desires no other dowry but a hundred Philistine foreskins as revenge on his enemies.’” But Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines. / When the servants reported these terms to David, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the wedding day arrived, / David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented them as payment in full to become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave his daughter Michal to David in marriage.

2 Samuel 3:14
Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife, Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred Philistine foreskins.”

Acts 15:1
Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

Acts 7:8
Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day. And Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

Romans 2:25-29
Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. / If a man who is not circumcised keeps the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? / The one who is physically uncircumcised yet keeps the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. ...

Galatians 5:2-6
Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. / Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. / You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. ...

Colossians 2:11-13
In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. / And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead. / When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses,

Philippians 3:3
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

Deuteronomy 10:16
Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and stiffen your necks no more.

Jeremiah 4:4
Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds.”

Ezekiel 44:7-9
In addition to all your other abominations, you brought in foreigners uncircumcised in both heart and flesh to occupy My sanctuary; you defiled My temple when you offered My food—the fat and the blood; you broke My covenant. / And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’ / This is what the Lord GOD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh may enter My sanctuary—not even a foreigner who lives among the Israelites.

Leviticus 12:3
And on the eighth day the flesh of the boy’s foreskin is to be circumcised.


Treasury of Scripture

And to Hamor and to Shechem his son listened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

hearkened.

went out.

Genesis 23:10,18
And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying, …

every male.

Genesis 17:23
And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.

Isaiah 1:10-16
Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah…

Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

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Agreed Circumcised Circumcision City Ear Gate Hamor Hearken Hearkened Male Shechem Underwent Words
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Agreed Circumcised Circumcision City Ear Gate Hamor Hearken Hearkened Male Shechem Underwent Words
Genesis 34
1. Dinah is ravished by Shechem.
4. He requests to marry her.
13. The sons of Jacob offer the condition of circumcision to the Shechemites.
20. Hamor and Shechem persuade them to accept it.
25. The sons of Jacob upon that advantage slay them, and spoil their city.
30. Jacob reproves Simeon and Levi.














All the men who went out of the city gate
This phrase indicates the collective decision-making process in ancient cities, where the city gate served as a place of gathering and judgment. The city gate was not just a physical structure but a symbol of communal life and governance. In the Hebrew context, the gate was where elders and leaders met to discuss and decide on important matters. This highlights the communal nature of the decision to follow Hamor and Shechem's proposal, emphasizing the unity and shared responsibility of the city's inhabitants.

listened to Hamor and his son Shechem
The act of listening here implies more than just hearing; it suggests agreement and submission to authority. Hamor and Shechem, as leaders, wielded significant influence over the people. In the Hebrew tradition, listening often connotes obedience and acceptance of leadership. This reflects the persuasive power of Hamor and Shechem, as well as the trust or fear the people had in their leadership. It also underscores the cultural and social dynamics at play, where leaders could sway the entire community's actions.

and every male of the city was circumcised
Circumcision, in the Hebrew tradition, is a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants (Genesis 17:10-14). However, in this context, it is used as a political and social tool rather than a religious rite. The willingness of the men to undergo circumcision indicates the extent of their commitment to the proposed alliance with Jacob's family. This act also highlights the blending of cultural practices for political gain, showing how religious symbols can be co-opted for secular purposes. The historical context reveals the significance of circumcision as a mark of identity and belonging, which the men of Shechem were willing to adopt for the perceived benefits of the alliance.

Verse 24. - And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city. The ready acquiescence of the Shechemites to the proposal of Jacob's sons has not unreasonably been regarded as a proof that they were already acquainted with circumcision as a social, if not religious, rite (Kurtz, Keil, etc.). And every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city. Knobel notes it as remarkable that the Hivites were not circumcised, since, according to Herodotus, the rite was observed among the Phenicians, and probably also the Canaanites, who were of the same extraction, and thinks that either the rite was not universally observed in any of these ancient nations where it was known, or that the Hivites were originally a different race from the Canaanites, and had not conformed to the customs of the land (vide Lange in loco). Murphy thinks the present instance may point out one way in which the custom spread from tribe to tribe.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
All the men
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

who went out
יֹצְאֵ֖י (yō·ṣə·’ê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

of the city
עִיר֑וֹ (‘î·rōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

gate
שַׁ֣עַר (ša·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

listened
וַיִּשְׁמְע֤וּ (way·yiš·mə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Hamor
חֲמוֹר֙ (ḥă·mō·wr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2544: Hamor -- father of Shechem

and his son
בְּנ֔וֹ (bə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Shechem,
שְׁכֶ֣ם (šə·ḵem)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7927: Shechem -- 'ridge', a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamor

and every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

male
זָכָ֔ר (zā·ḵār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2145: Remembered, a male

of the city
עִירֽוֹ׃ (‘î·rōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

was circumcised.
וַיִּמֹּ֙לוּ֙ (way·yim·mō·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4135: To cut short, curtail, to blunt, to destroy


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OT Law: Genesis 34:24 All who went out of the gate (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 34:23
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