The rape of Dinah, Jacob's daughter shows us a drama of acquisition and greed. The story is found in Gen 34. Jacob comes home in peace to the land of Shechem and buys a piece of land to settle on. This is the same piece of land that YHWH has promised to give Abraham and Isaac, so why did he have to buy it?
Now, Shechem a local prince of the land from whom Jacob has bought land, seizes Dinah and rapes her. Getting what he wants, when he wants without paying for it! but now he realizes that he loves her and is willing to pay the bridal price for her. The father, Hamor wants an alliance with Jacob and his family. They have just taken by force what was not theirs to take and now want to "be friends" with the family. Amazing arrogance!
Jacobs sons have their own idea of retribution and give them what they want...initially but with a condition...get circumcised. They must have had a great need or should I say greed for more livestock to agree to such a thing.
Ch34:23 Won't their livestock, their property and all their other animals become ours? So let us agree to their terms, and they will settle among us."
Their glazed look on Jacobs livestock deluded them into thinking that they were safe and they underestimated the negotiating skills of the Jacob household. Dinah's full brothers slaughter the men of Shechem and rescue Dinah.
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