ahweh gradually established His
BODY
The novel derives from Genesis 34, which tells the story of Dinah, who
one day goes out to be make friends with other girls in the land and to
explore the outside world (American Bible Society 1982). Shechem, prince of
the country and the son of Hamor or Hivite, takes fancy upon her, pursues
and rapes her. At that time, Jacob's family maintains commercial ties with
the Hivites or Amorites and these ties connect and open the family up to
the ungodly ways of those not chosen by God. Dina's search for friendship
in their world leads to and ends up in a shameful companionship instead
(Day 2003). But Shechem becomes deeply attracted to her, so that he speaks
with her in kindness and then asks his father to speak with Jacob about
marrying Dinah (American Bible Society0.
Jacob learns about the misdeed but keeps quite and waits for his sons
to arrive from the field where they tend to his cattle. When Hamor sees
Jacob, Jacob's sons come home too and they are furious that their sister
has been violated. But Hamor is a practiced negotiator. He not only
tactfully asks for the hand of Dinah on behalf of his son but also offers
his daughters to Jacob's sons to marry so that they may remain in the land
of the Amorites and prosper there. Shechem express willingness to pay any
amount of dowry just so Jacob and his sons will agree to the marriage. The
sons of Jacob, deceiving the Amorites, say that they will agree only if all
the male Amorites get circumcised and that, otherwise, they will simply
take Dinah and leave. If the Amorites agree to their terms, Jacob's will
not only give their daughters for marriage but also marry Amorite women.
Hamor and Shechem take no time in accepting the terms because Shechem not
only feels deeply for Dinah but is also known as the most honorable man in
the region (American Bible Society...