Verse

Genesis 34:19

ESV And the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he delighted in Jacob’s daughter. Now he was the most honored of all his father’s house.
NIV The young man, who was the most honored of all his father's family, lost no time in doing what they said, because he was delighted with Jacob's daughter.
NASB The young man did not delay to do this, because he was delighted with Jacob’s daughter. Now he was more respected than all the household of his father.
CSB The young man did not delay doing this, because he was delighted with Jacob's daughter. Now he was the most important in all his father's family.
NLT Shechem wasted no time in acting on this request, for he wanted Jacob’s daughter desperately. Shechem was a highly respected member of his family,
KJV And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father.

What does Genesis 34:19 mean?

Shechem's desire to marry Dinah, whom he had raped, is strong (Genesis 34:1–3). He is deeply in love with her, whatever that might mean to someone willing to be so brutal. For their part, Dinah's brothers are enraged at what has happened, but have revenge in mind (Genesis 34:13). Their response to Shechem's offer was something most people would consider outrageous: that all the men of the town be circumcised (Genesis 34:14–16).

Both Shechem and his father, Hamor, react to the proposal with joy. This implies Shechem was used to getting what he wanted. Assaulting Dinah, of course, is one example. His demand that his father procure Dinah is another (Genesis 34:4). Making an excessive promise to buy her is yet another (Genesis 34:11–12). That attitude might be explained by this verse's comment that Shechem was the "most honored" of his family. In other words, he was the favorite, and expected that whatever he demanded would be granted.

From Shechem's perspective, getting the men in the city to be circumcised was just a matter of his considerable influence (Genesis 34:2). Both he and his father, it seems, are willing and able to make that happen. What they don't realize is that this is a trap, leading their city into a terrible revenge.
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