Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When Jacob heard that his daughter Dinah had been defiled, his sons were in the fields with his livestock; so he did nothing about it until they came home. New Living Translation Soon Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter, Dinah. But since his sons were out in the fields herding his livestock, he said nothing until they returned. English Standard Version Now Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah. But his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob held his peace until they came. Berean Standard Bible Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah, but since his sons were with his livestock in the field, he remained silent about it until they returned. Berean Literal Bible And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; and his sons were with his livestock in the field, and Jacob was silent until they came in. King James Bible 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. New King James Version And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. Now his sons were with his livestock in the field; so Jacob held his peace until they came. New American Standard Bible Now Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah; but his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob said nothing until they came in. NASB 1995 Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; but his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob kept silent until they came in. NASB 1977 Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; but his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob kept silent until they came in. Legacy Standard Bible Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; but his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob kept silent until they came in. Amplified Bible Now Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled (violated) Dinah his daughter; but his sons were in the field with his livestock, so Jacob said nothing until they came in. Berean Annotated Bible Jacob (he grasps the heel) heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah (judgment), but since his sons were with his livestock in the field, he remained silent about it until they returned. Christian Standard Bible Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah, but since his sons were with his livestock in the field, he remained silent until they returned. Holman Christian Standard Bible Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah, but since his sons were with his livestock in the field, he remained silent until they returned. American Standard Version Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; and his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they came. Contemporary English Version Meanwhile, Jacob heard what had happened. But his sons were out in the fields with the cattle, so he did not do anything at the time. English Revised Version Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; and his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they came. GOD'S WORD® Translation Jacob heard that Shechem had dishonored his daughter Dinah. His sons were with his livestock out in the open country, so Jacob kept quiet until they came home. Good News Translation Jacob learned that his daughter had been disgraced, but because his sons were out in the fields with his livestock, he did nothing until they came back. International Standard Version Because Jacob learned that Shechem had dishonored his daughter Dinah while his sons were still out with their cattle on the open range, he remained silent until they returned. NET Bible When Jacob heard that Shechem had violated his daughter Dinah, his sons were with the livestock in the field. So Jacob remained silent until they came in. New Heart English Bible Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah, his daughter; and his sons were with his livestock in the field. Jacob remained silent until they came. Webster's Bible Translation 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 till they had come. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleJacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah, but since his sons were with his livestock in the field, he remained silent about it until they returned. World English Bible Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah, his daughter; and his sons were with his livestock in the field. Jacob held his peace until they came. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Jacob has heard that he has defiled his daughter Dinah, and his sons were with his livestock in the field, and Jacob kept silent until their coming. Berean Literal Bible And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; and his sons were with his livestock in the field, and Jacob was silent until they came in. Young's Literal Translation And Jacob hath heard that he hath defiled Dinah his daughter, and his sons were with his cattle in the field, and Jacob kept silent till their coming. Smith's Literal Translation And Jacob heard that he defiled Dinah his daughter: and his sons were with his cattle in the field, and Jacob was silent till their coming. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut when Jacob had heard this, his sons being absent, and employed in feeding the cattle, he held his peace till they came back. Catholic Public Domain Version But when Jacob had heard this, since his sons were absent and he was occupied in pasturing the cattle, he remained silent until they came back. New American Bible Meanwhile, Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah; but since his sons were out in the field with his livestock, Jacob kept quiet until they came home. New Revised Standard Version Now Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah; but his sons were with his cattle in the field, so Jacob held his peace until they came. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Jacob heard that Dinah his daughter had been defiled; now his sons were with the cattle in the field; so Jacob held his peace until they came. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Yaquuv heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter, and his sons were with the livestock in the field, and Yaquuv was silent until they came. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter; and his sons were with his cattle in the field; and Jacob held his peace until they came. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Jacob heard that the son of Emmor had defiled Dina his daughter (now his sons were with his cattle in the plain). And Jacob was silent until they came. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Defiling of Dinah…4So Shechem told his father Hamor, “Get me this girl as a wife.” 5Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah, but since his sons were with his livestock in the field, he remained silent about it until they returned. 6Meanwhile, Shechem’s father Hamor came to speak with Jacob.… Cross References Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah 2 Samuel 13:21 When King David heard all this, he was furious. Deuteronomy 22:25-27 But if the man encounters a betrothed woman in the open country, and he overpowers her and lies with her, only the man who has done this must die. / Do nothing to the young woman, because she has committed no sin worthy of death. This case is just like one in which a man attacks his neighbor and murders him. / When he found her in the field, the betrothed woman cried out, but there was no one to save her. Judges 19:25-30 But the men would not listen to him. So the Levite took his concubine and sent her outside to them, and they raped her and abused her throughout the night, and at dawn they let her go. / Early that morning, the woman went back to the house where her master was staying, collapsed at the doorway, and lay there until it was light. / In the morning, when her master got up and opened the doors of the house to go out on his journey, there was his concubine, collapsed in the doorway of the house, with her hands on the threshold. … but since his sons were with his livestock in the field Genesis 37:12-17 Some time later, Joseph’s brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks near Shechem. / Israel said to him, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flocks at Shechem? Get ready; I am sending you to them.” “I am ready,” Joseph replied. / Then Israel told him, “Go now and see how your brothers and the flocks are faring, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. And when Joseph arrived in Shechem, … 1 Samuel 17:15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem. Exodus 3:1 Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. he remained silent about it until they returned Proverbs 29:11 A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back. Ecclesiastes 3:7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, Psalm 39:2-3 I was speechless and still; I remained silent, even from speaking good, and my sorrow was stirred. / My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: Genesis 49:5-7 Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence. / May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For they kill men in their anger, and hamstring oxen on a whim. / Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. Genesis 30:20-21 “God has given me a good gift,” she said. “This time my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.” And she named him Zebulun. / After that, Leah gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah. Genesis 29:31-35 When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. / And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.” / Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son as well.” So she named him Simeon. … Genesis 37:34-35 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. / All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him. Genesis 46:15 These are the sons of Leah born to Jacob in Paddan-aram, in addition to his daughter Dinah. The total number of sons and daughters was thirty-three. Exodus 2:1-10 Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, / and she conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months. / But when she could no longer hide him, she got him a papyrus basket and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in the basket and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. … Numbers 12:1-15 Then Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married, for he had taken a Cushite wife. / “Does the LORD speak only through Moses?” they said. “Does He not also speak through us?” And the LORD heard this. / Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth. … Treasury of Scripture 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. now his. Genesis 30:35 And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. Genesis 37:13,14 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I… 1 Samuel 10:27 But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace. held. Leviticus 10:3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. Psalm 39:9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it. Jump to Previous Cattle Daughter Defiled Dinah Field Fields Heard Held Home Jacob Kept Livestock Peace Quiet Shechem Silent WordJump to Next Cattle Daughter Defiled Dinah Field Fields Heard Held Home Jacob Kept Livestock Peace Quiet Shechem Silent WordGenesis 34 1. Dinah is ravished by Shechem.4. He requests to marry her. 13. The sons of Jacob offer the condition of circumcision to the Shechemites. 20. Hamor and Shechem persuade them to accept it. 25. The sons of Jacob upon that advantage slay them, and spoil their city. 30. Jacob reproves Simeon and Levi. Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah Jacob, the patriarch, is informed of the violation of his daughter, Dinah, by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite. This event takes place in the land of Canaan, where Jacob had settled after returning from Paddan Aram. The defilement of Dinah is a significant event, as it not only affects Jacob's family but also has broader implications for the relationship between Jacob's family and the inhabitants of the land. The act of defilement is seen as a grave sin, violating the sanctity of Dinah and the honor of Jacob's family. This incident foreshadows the tension and conflict that will arise between the Israelites and the Canaanites, highlighting the moral and cultural differences between them. but since his sons were with his livestock in the field he remained silent about it until they returned Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe patriarch of the Israelite tribes, father of Dinah, and a central figure in this account. His response to the defilement of his daughter is a focal point in this verse. 2. Dinah The daughter of Jacob and Leah, whose defilement by Shechem sets off a series of events that impact her family and the surrounding communities. 3. Shechem The son of Hamor the Hivite, who defiled Dinah. His actions lead to significant conflict between his people and Jacob's family. 4. Jacob's Sons They are tending livestock in the field at the time of the incident. Their reaction upon returning is crucial to the unfolding events. 5. The Field Represents the place of work and daily life for Jacob's sons, highlighting the interruption of normalcy by the crisis at hand. Teaching Points The Weight of SilenceJacob's initial silence can be seen as a moment of contemplation or indecision. In our lives, how do we balance the need for thoughtful response with the urgency of action in the face of injustice? Family Dynamics and Leadership Jacob's role as a father and leader is tested. This challenges us to consider how we lead and protect our families, especially in times of crisis. The Impact of Sin Shechem's sin has far-reaching consequences, affecting not just individuals but entire communities. Reflect on how personal sin can ripple outwards, impacting others. Justice and Vengeance The subsequent actions of Jacob's sons raise questions about justice and vengeance. How do we seek justice in a way that aligns with biblical principles? Community and Accountability The involvement of Jacob's sons highlights the importance of community and accountability. How do we hold each other accountable in our communities of faith? Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 34:5?2. How does Jacob's silence in Genesis 34:5 reflect his leadership responsibilities? 3. What lessons can we learn from Jacob's reaction to Dinah's defilement? 4. How does Genesis 34:5 connect to parental roles in Ephesians 6:4? 5. In what ways can we apply Jacob's response to modern family challenges? 6. How should Christians respond to injustice, considering Jacob's reaction in Genesis 34:5? 7. Why did Jacob remain silent upon hearing of Dinah's defilement in Genesis 34:5? 8. How does Genesis 34:5 reflect on Jacob's leadership and fatherhood? 9. What cultural norms influenced Jacob's reaction in Genesis 34:5? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 34? 11. Genesis 34:27-29 - How does the looting and enslavement of the city align with later biblical laws condemning such acts? 12. Genesis 34:13-29 - Why would Simeon and Levi punish an entire city for one man's crime, and is there historical or archaeological evidence of such collective retribution? 13. (Genesis 35:5) Is there any historical or scientific record supporting the 'terror of God' preventing nearby cities from pursuing Jacob's family? 14. Who was Dinah in the Bible? What Does Genesis 34:5 Mean Jacob heard“Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah…” (Genesis 34:5) • Jacob is immediately informed—news travels swiftly in close-knit patriarchal households. • As head of the covenant family, Jacob is responsible for safeguarding his children (Genesis 18:19). • His awareness sets the stage for a measured, rather than impulsive, response (Proverbs 18:13). Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah • The phrase “defiled” indicates a violation of God’s moral order. Scripture consistently treats sexual sin as defilement (Leviticus 18:24; Deuteronomy 22:25-27). • Dinah’s dignity and purity are central; her mistreatment is a breach of covenant family honor (2 Samuel 13:12). • This offense is also an assault on the fledgling nation Israel embodies—hence the gravity. His sons were with his livestock in the field • Jacob’s sons, the future tribal heads, are absent, emphasizing Jacob’s temporary lack of immediate support (Genesis 30:35-36). • Their work with livestock reflects their vocation and God-given stewardship (Genesis 13:2-5). • The narrative highlights rural life rhythms: news must wait for laborers to return (Exodus 2:16). He remained silent about it until they returned • Silence here is not apathy but strategic restraint. Jacob chooses deliberation over rash action (Proverbs 14:29). • Waiting for his sons ensures united family response, paralleling later examples of collective counsel (Joshua 22:13-16). • His restraint contrasts sharply with his sons’ later fury (Genesis 34:7, 25-26), underscoring differing temperaments within the same family (James 1:19-20). summary Genesis 34:5 captures Jacob’s immediate, deliberate pause when confronted with Dinah’s violation. He hears, recognizes the gravity, notes his sons’ absence, and chooses silence—demonstrating protective leadership that seeks unity and thoughtful action before confronting evil. (5) Jacob heard.--As Dinah did not return home (Genesis 34:26), her father probably learned her dishonour from the maidservants who had gone out with her. But "he held his peace," chiefly from his usual cautiousness, as being no match for the Hivites, but partly because Leah's sons had the right to be the upholders of their sister's honour.Verse 5. - And Jacob heard - most likely from some of Dinah's companions (Patrick), since she herself was still detained in She-chore's house (ver. 26) - that he (Hamor's son) had defiled - the verb here employed conveys the idea of rendering unclean (cf. vers. 13, 27; Numbers 19:13; 2 Kings 23:10; Psalm 79:1; that in ver. 2 expresses the notion of violence) - Dinah his daughter. It was an aggravation of Shechem's wickedness that it was perpetrated not against any of Jacob's handmaids, but against his daughter. Now (literally, and) his sons were with his cattle in the field - perhaps that which he had lately purchased (Genesis 33:19), or in some pasture ground more remote from the city. And Jacob held his peace - literally, acted as one dumb, i.e. maintained silence upon the painful subject, and took no measures to avenge Shechem s crime (cf. Genesis 24:21; 1 Samuel 10:27; 2 Samuel 13:22); either through sorrow (Ainsworth, Calvin), or through caution (Murphy, Lange), or through perplexity, as not knowing how to act (Kalisch), or as recognizing the right of his sons by the same mother to have a voice in the settlement of so important a question (Kurtz, Gerlach), to which undoubtedly the next clause points - until they were come - literally, until their coming.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Jacobוְיַעֲקֹ֣ב (wə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc heard שָׁמַ֗ע (šā·ma‘) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently that כִּ֤י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction Shechem had defiled טִמֵּא֙ (ṭim·mê) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean his daughter בִתּ֔וֹ (ḇit·tōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1323: A daughter Dinah, דִּינָ֣ה (dî·nāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1783: Dinah -- daughter of Jacob but since his sons וּבָנָ֛יו (ū·ḇā·nāw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1121: A son were הָי֥וּ (hā·yū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be with אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Preposition Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among his livestock מִקְנֵ֖הוּ (miq·nê·hū) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4735: Something bought, property, livestock, acquisition in the field, בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה (baś·śā·ḏeh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7704: Field, land he יַעֲקֹ֖ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc held his peace וְהֶחֱרִ֥שׁ (wə·he·ḥĕ·riš) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2790: To cut in, engrave, plow, devise until עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while they returned. בֹּאָֽם׃ (bō·’ām) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go Links Genesis 34:5 NIVGenesis 34:5 NLT Genesis 34:5 ESV Genesis 34:5 NASB Genesis 34:5 KJV Genesis 34:5 BibleApps.com Genesis 34:5 Biblia Paralela Genesis 34:5 Chinese Bible Genesis 34:5 French Bible Genesis 34:5 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 34:5 Now Jacob heard that he had defiled (Gen. 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