Topical Encyclopedia Hamor is a significant figure in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Genesis. He is identified as a Hivite, a group of people living in the land of Canaan during the time of the patriarchs. Hamor is most notably recognized as the father of Shechem, a central character in the narrative involving Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah.Biblical Account The primary account of Hamor is found in Genesis 34. In this chapter, Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, goes out to visit the women of the land, and Shechem, the son of Hamor, sees her and defiles her. Despite this grievous act, Shechem's soul is drawn to Dinah, and he desires to take her as his wife. Shechem speaks to his father, Hamor, and requests that he arrange the marriage. Hamor approaches Jacob and his sons to negotiate the marriage between Shechem and Dinah. He proposes a peaceful coexistence between the two families, suggesting intermarriage and the sharing of land and resources. Genesis 34:8-10 records Hamor's words: "But Hamor said to them, 'My son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife. Intermarry with us; give us your daughters, and take our daughters for yourselves. You may settle among us, and the land will be open to you. Live in it, move about freely, and acquire property in it.'" However, the sons of Jacob, particularly Simeon and Levi, are outraged by the defilement of their sister. They deceitfully agree to the marriage on the condition that all the males in Hamor's city be circumcised. Hamor and Shechem agree to this condition, and the men of the city undergo circumcision. On the third day, when the men are in pain, Simeon and Levi attack the city, killing all the males, including Hamor and Shechem. They take Dinah from Shechem's house and plunder the city. This act of vengeance is recorded in Genesis 34:25-26 : "Three days later, while all the men were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords, came upon the unsuspecting city, and killed every male. They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went away." Theological and Historical Context Hamor's account is set within the broader narrative of the patriarchs and their interactions with the inhabitants of Canaan. The Hivites, to which Hamor belonged, were one of the many Canaanite tribes that the Israelites encountered. The incident with Dinah and the subsequent actions of Simeon and Levi highlight the tensions and cultural differences between the Israelites and the Canaanites. From a theological perspective, the account of Hamor and Shechem serves as a narrative of moral and ethical complexity. It raises questions about justice, retribution, and the consequences of sin. The actions of Simeon and Levi, while motivated by a desire to defend their sister's honor, result in violence and bloodshed, which later bring Jacob's rebuke and concern for the family's safety in the land (Genesis 34:30). Hamor's account also underscores the theme of covenant and separation that runs throughout the Old Testament. The Israelites are called to be a distinct people, set apart from the surrounding nations. The intermarriage proposal by Hamor represents a potential threat to this distinctiveness, which is a recurring concern in the biblical narrative. Legacy Hamor's legacy is primarily tied to the tragic events surrounding his son Shechem and Dinah. His attempt to forge an alliance through marriage ultimately leads to the destruction of his city and the loss of his life. The account of Hamor serves as a reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the far-reaching consequences of actions taken outside the will of God. Strong's Hebrew 2544. Chamor -- father of Shechem... 2543, 2544. Chamor. 2545 . father of Shechem. Transliteration: Chamor Phonetic Spelling: (kham-ore') Short Definition: Hamor. ... Hamor. ... /hebrew/2544.htm - 6k Library The Doctrine Thesaurus Hamor's (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance Hamor's (1 Occurrence). Genesis 34:18 Their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor's son. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ... /h/hamor's.htm - 6k Hamor (13 Occurrences) Reasonable (6 Occurrences) Hamper (1 Occurrence) Seemed (89 Occurrences) Pleased (172 Occurrences) Shechem (61 Occurrences) Resources Who was Simeon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Hamor's (1 Occurrence)Genesis 34:18 Subtopics Related Terms |
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