Genesis 34:5

Authorized King James Version

And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.

Word-by-Word Analysis

יַֽעֲקֹ֖ב

H3290

And Jacob

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

שָׁמַ֗ע

H8085

heard

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

כִּ֤י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

טִמֵּא֙

H2930

that he had defiled

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דִּינָ֣ה

H1783

Dinah

dinah, the daughter of jacob

בִתּ֔וֹ

H1323

his daughter

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וּבָנָ֛יו

H1121

now his sons

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הָי֥וּ

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#10

אֶת

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

#11

מִקְנֵ֖הוּ

H4735

were with his cattle

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

#12

בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה

H7704

in the field

a field (as flat)

#13

וְהֶֽחֱרִ֥שׁ

H2790

held his peace

to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad

#14

יַֽעֲקֹ֖ב

H3290

And Jacob

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

#15

עַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#16

בֹּאָֽם׃

H935

until they were come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing peace contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes peace in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding peace in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about creation and providence?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on peace address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?

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