Verse

Genesis 34:18

ESV Their words pleased Hamor and Hamor’s son Shechem.
NIV Their proposal seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem.
NASB Now their words seemed reasonable to Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son.
CSB Their words seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem.
NLT Hamor and his son Shechem agreed to their proposal.
KJV And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.

What does Genesis 34:18 mean?

Working a scheme for revenge (Genesis 34:13), Jacob's sons have said that the only way they could allow Dinah to marry her rapist Shechem (Genesis 34:1–12) was if all the men of Shechem's community were to be circumcised.

Did Jacob's sons expect Shechem and his people to accept such a drastic proposal? It's hard to know for sure, but the attitudes of both Shechem and Hamor make it plausible. Neither seems worried about the morality of what's happened, but are more concerned with the benefits it might provide.

Fortunately for the brothers' scheme, Shechem and his father Hamor are pleased. They seem enthusiastic at the prospect of Shechem avoiding punishment, with the bonus of economic growth. Of course, they will still have to convince all the men of the city to participate by being circumcised along with them.
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