Reading in Genesis this evening. Specifically Genesis 34. The story of Dinah, Simeon and Levi. An interesting read for anyone that hasn't read it.

The popular reading of this story is that Dinah was raped, though the text does not explicitly state.

In fact, it states:

2 ...[Shechem] saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.

3 And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel...

I think the idea of rape comes from the word defilement, but there is no indication of force. Nonetheless, Simeon and Levi take revenge by negotiating a marriage with terms of circumcision. Three days after and when the men were "sore", Levi and Simeon descended upon them and slaughtered every male. They then took the cattle, women and children as spoils of war.

I'm curious what the opinions are of this story.

I would imagine that few would consider Simeon and Levi's response as measured or just but I find no real consequences either.

This seems out of character in any context of the scriptures and yet, there's a part of me that can sympathize with their wrath.

It's also interesting that with all Jacob has seen God do, he is fearful of the opinions of men. Another item of note is that this is one of the few chapters that God is not spoken of once.

Perhaps the lack of God at this point is representative of a departure from faith which invites excess and fear?

Super interested to hear what others make of this story. Would especially love the Jewish perspective on this story, as well.

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