Circumcision: Shechemites
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Circumcision, a covenantal sign given by God to Abraham and his descendants, holds significant theological and cultural importance in the biblical narrative. In the context of the Shechemites, this rite becomes a pivotal element in a dramatic and tragic episode recorded in the Book of Genesis.

Biblical Account

The account of the Shechemites and circumcision is found in Genesis 34. This chapter narrates the account of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, who was violated by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, a prince of the land. Shechem, deeply infatuated with Dinah, sought to marry her, and his father Hamor approached Jacob and his sons to negotiate a marriage alliance.

Jacob's sons, particularly Simeon and Levi, responded deceitfully to Hamor and Shechem's proposal. They agreed to the marriage on the condition that all the males in Shechem's city be circumcised, aligning themselves with the covenantal sign given to Abraham. Genesis 34:15-16 records their words: "We will give our consent to you on one condition only: that you become like us by circumcising all your males. Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves."

Hamor and Shechem, eager to secure the alliance and marriage, agreed to the terms and convinced the men of their city to undergo circumcision. On the third day, when the men were in pain and unable to defend themselves, Simeon and Levi took their swords and attacked the city, killing all the males, including Hamor and Shechem. They then rescued Dinah and plundered the city.

Theological and Moral Implications

This episode raises significant theological and moral questions. Circumcision, intended as a sacred sign of the covenant between God and His people, was manipulated for deceit and violence. The actions of Simeon and Levi, though motivated by a desire for justice for their sister, were marked by treachery and excessive retribution. Their use of circumcision as a tool for vengeance starkly contrasts with its intended purpose as a symbol of faith and obedience to God.

The narrative also highlights the dangers of intermarriage with the Canaanites, a recurring theme in the Old Testament. The Israelites were called to be a distinct and holy people, set apart for God's purposes. The proposed alliance with the Shechemites threatened this distinctiveness, and the violent outcome underscored the complexities and perils of such unions.

Cultural Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, circumcision was not unique to the Israelites, though its significance varied among different cultures. For the descendants of Abraham, it was a divinely instituted sign of the covenant, as stated in Genesis 17:10-11 : "This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male among you must be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you."

The Shechemites' willingness to adopt circumcision, despite its foreign nature to them, underscores the influence and authority of Jacob's family in the region. It also reflects the broader cultural interactions and negotiations that characterized life in Canaan during the patriarchal period.

Legacy and Reflection

The incident with the Shechemites left a lasting impact on Jacob's family. In Genesis 49, when Jacob blesses his sons, he recalls the violence of Simeon and Levi, saying, "Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; and their wrath, for it is cruel!" (Genesis 49:7). This pronouncement reflects the enduring consequences of their actions and serves as a sobering reminder of the misuse of sacred practices for personal vendettas.

The account of the Shechemites and circumcision invites reflection on the sanctity of God's covenantal signs and the ethical responsibilities that accompany them. It challenges believers to uphold the integrity of their faith practices and to seek justice and righteousness in accordance with God's will.
Nave's Topical Index
Genesis 34:24
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.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Book 1 Footnotes:
... But why Josephus has omitted the circumcision of these Shechemites, as the occasion
of their death; and of Jacob's great grief, as in the Testament of Levi ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 1 footnotes .htm

Chapter xxxiv
... he did not hesitate" does not mean that he submitted to circumcision on the ... in the
plunder, no doubt, because the wealth of the Shechemites consisted primarily ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... It was at this time that he was enjoined to take vengeance on the Shechemites. ... there
can be no question; not only on the question of circumcision did they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the testaments of the twelve.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... 4. The war with the kings.5. The painful rite of circumcision.6. The ... blessings and
prerogatives from Isaac; for his action against the Shechemites, Levi was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

The Doctrine
... Yea, they suffer "the vengeance of eternal fire" (Jude 7). Also the male Shechemites,
for the sin committed by Hamor's son, were all put to the sword (Genesis ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm

Resources
Who was Zipporah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Does Romans 2:7 teach works salvation? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about how to get baptized / how to baptize? | GotQuestions.org

Circumcision: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Circumcision

Circumcision was Performed by Persons in Authority

Circumcision was Performed by the Heads of Families

Circumcision was Performed in the Presence of the Family

Circumcision was Performed with Knives of Flint

Circumcision was Performed: Even on the Sabbath Day

Circumcision was Performed: On Males Home-Born and Bought

Circumcision was Performed: On the Eighth Day

Circumcision without Faith, Vain

Circumcision without Obedience, Vain

Circumcision: A Designation of Christians

Circumcision: A Designation of the Jews

Circumcision: A Painful and Bloody Rite

Circumcision: A Prerequisite of the Privileges of the Passover

Circumcision: A Seal of Righteousness

Circumcision: A Seal of the Covenant

Circumcision: Abolished by the Gospel

Circumcision: Abraham

Circumcision: Abrogated

Circumcision: Accompanied With Naming the Child

Circumcision: Called The: Circumcision in the Flesh

Circumcision: Called The: Concision

Circumcision: Called The: Covenant of Circumcision

Circumcision: Characterized by Paul As a Yoke

Circumcision: Child Named at the Time of

Circumcision: Covenant Promises of

Circumcision: Described

Circumcision: Enforced by the Law

Circumcision: Figurative

Circumcision: First Performed on Abraham and his Family

Circumcision: Instituted by God

Circumcision: Institution of

Circumcision: Introductory Jewish Ordinances

Circumcision: Inward Grace

Circumcision: Israelites at Gilgal

Circumcision: Jesus

Circumcision: John the Baptist

Circumcision: Moses

Circumcision: Necessary to Enjoying the Privileges of the Jewish State

Circumcision: Necessity of, Asserted by False Teachers

Circumcision: Necessity of, Denied by Paul

Circumcision: Necessity of, Falsely Taught by Judaizing Christians

Circumcision: Neglect of, Punished

Circumcision: Neglected

Circumcision: Not Performed in the Wilderness

Circumcision: Outward Sign of

Circumcision: Paul

Circumcision: Paul Denounced for Opposing

Circumcision: Paul's Argument Against the Continuance of

Circumcision: Performed by Joshua at Gilgal

Circumcision: Performed on all Males on the Eighth Day

Circumcision: Performed on Timothy As a Matter or Expediency Because of The

Circumcision: Promises to Abraham Previous To

Circumcision: Punishment for Neglecting

Circumcision: Purity of Heart

Circumcision: Purity of Speech

Circumcision: Readiness to Hear and Obey

Circumcision: Rite of, Observed on the Sabbath

Circumcision: Saints the True Spiritual

Circumcision: Shechemites

Circumcision: Sometimes Performed on Slain Enemies

Circumcision: The Jews: Denominated By

Circumcision: The Jews: Despised As Unclean Those not of The

Circumcision: The Jews: Held It Unlawful to Intermarry With Those not of The

Circumcision: The Jews: Held No Intercourse With Those not of The

Circumcision: Timothy

Circumcision: Trusting To, a Denial of Christ

Related Terms

Uncircumcision (19 Occurrences)

Underwent (22 Occurrences)

Foreskin (12 Occurrences)

Uncircumcised (48 Occurrences)

Circumcised (58 Occurrences)

Concision (1 Occurrence)

Reckoned (98 Occurrences)

Credited (19 Occurrences)

Value (138 Occurrences)

Counts (15 Occurrences)

Profit (143 Occurrences)

Undergo (91 Occurrences)

Knife (10 Occurrences)

Keeps (154 Occurrences)

Undergoes (11 Occurrences)

Law-transgressor (2 Occurrences)

Transgressor (9 Occurrences)

Rules (160 Occurrences)

Counted (122 Occurrences)

Avail (15 Occurrences)

Real (26 Occurrences)

Opposite (137 Occurrences)

Proselyte (2 Occurrences)

Seal (47 Occurrences)

Performed (110 Occurrences)

Jew (34 Occurrences)

Desolation (131 Occurrences)

Keeping (282 Occurrences)

Though (623 Occurrences)

Agreement (341 Occurrences)

Party (47 Occurrences)

Quite (55 Occurrences)

Keepest (16 Occurrences)

Undergone (20 Occurrences)

Outward (17 Occurrences)

Law-breaker (3 Occurrences)

Literal (2 Occurrences)

Letter (112 Occurrences)

Group (32 Occurrences)

Workers (76 Occurrences)

Importance (9 Occurrences)

Footsteps (30 Occurrences)

Families (272 Occurrences)

Receiveth (48 Occurrences)

Receives (43 Occurrences)

Removal (42 Occurrences)

Equally (21 Occurrences)

Eight (81 Occurrences)

External (8 Occurrences)

Example (54 Occurrences)

Doer (25 Occurrences)

Profiteth (9 Occurrences)

Profits (19 Occurrences)

Practise (52 Occurrences)

Breaker (2 Occurrences)

Circumcise (13 Occurrences)

Accounted (32 Occurrences)

Attacked (93 Occurrences)

Advantage (44 Occurrences)

Availeth (6 Occurrences)

Simply (27 Occurrences)

Steps (113 Occurrences)

Sign (181 Occurrences)

Boy (94 Occurrences)

Benefit (39 Occurrences)

Existence (35 Occurrences)

Galatians (2 Occurrences)

Practice (71 Occurrences)

Break (257 Occurrences)

Christian (41 Occurrences)

Won't (144 Occurrences)

Responsible (242 Occurrences)

Justus (3 Occurrences)

Rule (291 Occurrences)

Bloody (19 Occurrences)

Nature (80 Occurrences)

Blood (435 Occurrences)

Obey (219 Occurrences)

Observe (216 Occurrences)

Circumcision: Saints the True Spiritual
Top of Page
Top of Page