Genesis 34:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If the city accepts circumcision, the brothers promise marriage exchanges, cohabitation, and unified community.
The Context of Genesis 34:16
The brothers extend the integration vision conditionally.
What Does Genesis 34:16 Mean?
The brothers paint an attractive picture of the arrangement: mutual marriages, shared dwelling, and unity. This mirroring of Hamor's earlier proposal (v. 9) makes the condition seem reasonable and the promised outcome beneficial for both sides.
Their language of 'becoming one people' echoes Hamor's vision of integration. Yet all of this hinges on the circumcision condition—which the brothers have crafted knowing what will follow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 34:16
What does Genesis 34:16 mean?
If the city accepts circumcision, the brothers promise marriage exchanges, cohabitation, and unified community.
What is the context of Genesis 34:16?
The brothers extend the integration vision conditionally.