Genesis 34:30 Meaning and Explanation
“And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jacob condemns Simeon and Levi for their violence, warning that it has endangered his family among the neighboring peoples.
The Context of Genesis 34:30
Jacob publicly rebukes his sons for the massacre.
What Does Genesis 34:30 Mean?
Jacob's response is one of alarm and disapproval. He accuses the brothers of bringing his family into disrepute ('stink') among the surrounding peoples. His concern is not moral retaliation or family honor, but survival: he fears the Canaanites and Perizzites will unite against his vastly outnumbered clan in revenge.
Jacob's complaint centers on the practical consequences: his small household cannot withstand the backlash that such violent retaliation will provoke. He sees the brothers' actions as reckless endangerment of the entire family's existence.
Genesis 34:30 in the Original Language
ba'ash (בָּאַשׁ), 'stink' — to smell bad, to be odious or repugnant; metaphorically, to be hated or despised.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 34:30
What does Genesis 34:30 mean?
Jacob condemns Simeon and Levi for their violence, warning that it has endangered his family among the neighboring peoples.
What is the context of Genesis 34:30?
Jacob publicly rebukes his sons for the massacre.