What does Genesis 34:9 mean? [⇑ See verse text ⇑]

Hamor and his son Shechem have come to ask Jacob for Dinah's hand in marriage to Shechem (Genesis 34:8). Jacob and his sons, however, know that Shechem has raped Dinah and that she has not returned from the city (Genesis 34:1–5). Shechem's father, the ruler of the city, has made clear that Shechem is in love with Dinah. Whether or not this is meant to ease the anger of Jacob's family is unclear. What is clear, looking at the rest of this chapter, is that his efforts to appease Dinah's brothers will fail miserably.

Now Hamor continues by suggesting even more inter-marrying between their peoples. In the following verse, he will expand on this proposal for alliance. This immediate proposal for a broad intermingling sounds like a diplomatic tactic. Hamor most likely understands that his son's actions expose their family to revenge. Jacob's family is already large, wealthy, and powerful (Genesis 30:43). Hamor is not speaking as a more-powerful man to someone insignificant; he's dealing with a legitimate threat.