Verse

Genesis 34:28

ESV They took their flocks and their herds, their donkeys, and whatever was in the city and in the field.
NIV They seized their flocks and herds and donkeys and everything else of theirs in the city and out in the fields.
NASB They took their flocks, their herds, and their donkeys, and that which was in the city and that which was in the field;
CSB They took their flocks, herds, donkeys, and whatever was in the city and in the field.
NLT They seized all the flocks and herds and donkeys — everything they could lay their hands on, both inside the town and outside in the fields.
KJV They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field,
NKJV They took their sheep, their oxen, and their donkeys, what was in the city and what was in the field,

What does Genesis 34:28 mean?

Verses 28 and 29 describe the plunder Jacob's sons collected after slaughtering all the men of Shechem. This bloodshed was the result of local royalty, a man also named Shechem, the son of Hamor, raping one of Jacob's children (Genesis 34:1–8). Dinah's brothers tricked the men of the city into being circumcised, by promising opportunity for trade and intermarriage (Genesis 34:13–16). When the fighting men of the town were disabled, Simeon and Levi sprung a surprise attack that wiped out all resistance (Genesis 34:25).

On his deathbed, Jacob will pronounce prophetic blessings on his sons (Genesis 49:1). Among those predictions is a reference to Simeon and Levi's act of violence (Genesis 49:5–6). That comment also includes a statement that they "hamstrung oxen." This might mean, as part of their revenge, that the brothers crippled whatever livestock they could not take away with them. Or, it might be a play on the name "Hamor," which literally means "donkey." Either way, the brutality shown in this event will resonate in history.

The reversal for the Shechemites is astounding. The men had agreed to be circumcised for the opportunity to intermarry with Jacob's people. By becoming one with them, they hoped to eventually possess all of Jacob's great wealth (Genesis 30:43). Instead, Jacob's sons now obtain the entire wealth of the people of Shechem in a single day.
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