Verse Lens · Concise explanation
Genesis 34:15 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 15. 15But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
The brothers present citywide male circumcision as the condition on which they will consent to the proposal. The requirement appears direct, but verse 13 has already disclosed that their apparent agreement is deceptive.
Read It With
- Genesis 34:13–24
Read verses 13–17 together. Verse 13 exposes the deceit; verses 14–16 state the condition and promised merger; verse 17 threatens departure if it is refused. Without verse 13, verse 15 can sound like a sincere conversion requirement.
Why This Verse Appears Here
They convert that identity marker into a citywide bodily condition for agreement.
Read Genesis 34:13–17 together
Why these verses belong together: The deceit label, circumcision condition, promised social merger, and ultimatum form the brothers' complete reply.
Verse 13. 13 And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:
Verse 14. 14 And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:
Verse 15. 15 But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;
Verse 16. 16 Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
Verse 17. 17 But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.
What Remains True
A condition is not honest simply because it is stated clearly when the purpose and consequences behind it are concealed.
How It Can Shape Life
- When asking others to accept bodily or covenantal commitments, disclose the actual purpose, risks, and alternatives rather than engineering compliance through partial truth.
Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read Genesis 34:13–24 — Jacob's Sons Turn Circumcision Into a Deceptive ConditionSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? very strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Displayed wording, covenant-sign background, unit boundary, city persuasion, bodily vulnerability, later violence, purification, and Jacob's final judgment.
Exact location: Genesis 34:13–24 in the pinned eng-kjv2006 source; compared with Genesis 17:1–14; 34:1–12, 25–31; 35:1–5; and 49:5–7
Open source ↗hebrew text morphology and lemma data
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible — Genesis
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible Project
Open Scriptures, Version 2.2 released 2021; repository inspected 2026
Supports: Hebrew narrative labeling, social language, civic rhetoric, economic motive, and collective action.
Exact location: Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible, wlc/Gen.xml, Genesis 34:13–24; forms and syntax for deceitfully, reproach, circumcised, consent, one people, take, delight, deferred, honored, gate, peaceable, trade, substance, ours, hearkened, and every male
Open source ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — Genesis with translators' notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, Digital edition accessed 2026
Supports: Translation comparison for deceit, disgrace, circumcision, honored status, city gate, peaceful relations, property, and economic acquisition.
Exact location: NET Bible, Genesis 34 and translator notes on verses 13–24
Open NET Genesis 34 ↗