Genesis 34:18 - Meaning and Application

Hamor and Shechem, the Hivite father and son, agreed to be circumcised themselves (Genesis 34:18-19). They may have been driven not only by their strong desire for this marriage, but also by something they had heard about the sacred meaning of this sign in Abraham’s family. They likely had some dim sense of the promises tied to it, and that made them eager to join themselves to Jacob’s family (Zechariah 8:23).

Many people know little about true religion, yet know enough to want to be linked with those who are religious. If a man will take on the outward form of religion just to win a good wife, how much more should we receive the real power of religion to win the favor of a good God? We should even, like Shechem, not delay in doing what is right.

They also won over the men of their city, because Jacob’s sons required that these men also be circumcised. First, Hamor and Shechem had great influence through their authority and their example. Religion would spread much more if those in power, especially those like Shechem, who were more honorable than their neighbors, would show eagerness for it.

They also used a very strong argument, saying, “Will not their cattle and their goods be ours?” (Genesis 34:23). They saw that Jacob’s sons were hardworking and prospering people, and they promised themselves and their neighbors a gain from this alliance. They expected better land, more trade, and more money in their country.

This was bad enough as a reason for marriage, because greed is one of the world’s greatest matchmakers. Many people aim at little more than adding house to house and field to field, with no regard for anything else. But it was even worse as a reason for circumcision, the sign of belonging to God’s covenant. The Shechemites were willing to accept the religion of Jacob’s family only because they hoped to share its wealth. In the same way, many people treat gain as if it were godliness, and they are guided more by worldly profit than by any true religious principle.