“And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.”
This example teacheth us that too much liberty is not to be given to youth.
“And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel. kindly: Heb. to the heart of the damsel”
Hebrew, spake to the heart of the maid .
“And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.”
This proveth that the consent of parents is requisite in marriage, seeing the very Infidels did also observe it as a thing necessary.
“And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.”
Hebrew, and it shall not be so done . Or, folly.
“Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.”
Hebrew, multiply greatly the dowry .
“And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:”
They made the holy ordinance of God a means to compasse their wicked purpose. As it is abomination for them that are baptized to join with Infidels.
“But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;”
Their fault is the greater in that they make religion a cloak for their craft.
“And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,”
For the people used to assemble there, and justice was also ministered.
“These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.”
Thus many pretend to speak for a public profit, when they only speak for their own private gain and commodity.
“Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.”
Thus they lack no kind of persuasion, which prefer their own commodities before the commonwealth.
“And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.”
Cross references: : Gen. 49:6 For they were the chief of the company. The people are punished with their wicked princes.