Genesis 34:15 Meaning and Explanation
“But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The brothers offer consent if all males of Shechem's city undergo circumcision.
The Context of Genesis 34:15
The circumcision condition is universalized to the whole city.
What Does Genesis 34:15 Mean?
The brothers shift the condition from Shechem alone to the entire male population of his city. Their proposal expands circumcision from a personal covenant marker to a communal initiation, requiring collective commitment.
This expansion has two faces: it appears to honor the covenant seriously by requiring community-wide participation, yet it also sets a condition they may have anticipated Shechem's people would adopt—knowingly or unknowingly setting the stage for the brothers' plans.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 34:15
What does Genesis 34:15 mean?
The brothers offer consent if all males of Shechem's city undergo circumcision.
What is the context of Genesis 34:15?
The circumcision condition is universalized to the whole city.