Who was Shechem in the Bible?

Shechem was the son of Hamor the Hivite, who was the ruler of the Canaanite city also named Shechem. He is most known for the incident where he raped Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, as recorded in Genesis 34:2.

What is the significance of Shechem in the Bible?

Shechem's actions led to a pivotal and tragic event. After raping Dinah, he sought to marry her, which resulted in his and his father's city being deceitfully attacked and destroyed by Dinah's brothers, Simeon and Levi (Genesis 34:25-29).

What happened to Shechem in the Bible?

Shechem and his father Hamor were killed by Simeon and Levi. The brothers tricked the men of the city into being circumcised and then attacked them while they were still recovering, as revenge for the violation of their sister (Genesis 34:13-26).

Shechem

Old TestamentPatriarchsMaleSon of hamor

Shechem, founder of a Hivite city where Jacob's daughter Dinah was raped.

Shechem

Biography

Shechem son of Hamor was a Hivite prince and the namesake of the city of Shechem, whose violent act against Dinah daughter of Jacob triggered one of the most dramatic episodes in the patriarchal narratives. According to Genesis 34, Shechem seized and violated Dinah when she went out to visit the women of the land. Despite this assault, Shechem declared deep love for Dinah and requested her as his wife. His father Hamor negotiated with Jacob and his sons for the marriage alliance. Simeon and Levi responded with deception, requiring circumcision of all Hivite males as a condition, then slaughtering the men of the city while they were incapacitated. The episode deeply troubled Jacob, who rebuked his sons for making him odious to the surrounding peoples.

Significance

The account of Shechem son of Hamor raises enduring theological questions about violence, justice, honor, and the boundaries of God's people. The narrative does not straightforwardly endorse Simeon and Levi's vengeance, Jacob's rebuke is explicit and finds its continuation in his deathbed oracle in Genesis 49:5–7, where he pronounces that their anger would scatter them. Yet the assault on Dinah is presented as a genuine violation demanding response. Shechem's story illustrates the destructive consequences of transgressing sexual and covenant boundaries and serves as a narrative background for understanding Israel's complex relationship with Canaanite peoples and the theological mandate for covenantal purity.

Verse Appearances (11)

Genesis

Genesis 33:19 Genesis 34:2 Genesis 34:4 Genesis 34:6 Genesis 34:8 Genesis 34:11 Genesis 34:13 Genesis 34:18 Genesis 34:20 Genesis 34:24 Genesis 34:26

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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