Shechem שְׁכֶם
Founded the city where Dinah was raped
Who is Shechem in the Bible?
Shechem was a Hivite prince, the son of Hamor who ruled over the Canaanite city of Shechem, and is primarily known for sexually assaulting Dinah, the daughter of Jacob (Genesis 34:2). After raping Dinah, Shechem desired to marry her, prompting his father Hamor to propose intermarriage between their two peoples and Jacob's family (Genesis 34:6-12). Jacob's sons responded with deception, agreeing to the proposal only if all the men of Shechem would be circumcised (Genesis 34:13-18). While recovering from the circumcision, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, attacked the city and killed all its males, including Shechem, in an act of violent revenge (Genesis 34:25-26). This incident illustrates the grave consequences of sexual violation and demonstrates how Jacob's sons' brutal retaliation, though motivated by their sister's honor, brought fear upon Jacob's household and jeopardized their standing among the Canaanites.
Biography
Shechem was the founder of a city of the same name located in Canaan, inhabited by the Hivites. Israel (or 'Jacob') camped near Shechem upon returning to Canaan and bought a piece of land there (Gen.33.19).
In Genesis 34, Shechem is the setting of a tragic incident. Shechem, the son of the city's ruler Hamor, raped Jacob's daughter Dinah. Shechem wanted to marry Dinah, so Hamor proposed intermarriage between their people and Jacob's family. Jacob's sons deceitfully agreed on the condition that the men of Shechem be circumcised. While the men were recovering, Simeon and Levi attacked the city, killing all the males and plundering it. Jacob rebuked them for this, fearing retaliation from the Canaanites.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentGenesis 5 verses
- Genesis 33:19
"And the plot of ground where he pitched his tent, he purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 34:2
"When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the region, saw her, he took her and lay with her by force."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 34:4
"So Shechem told his father Hamor, “Get me this girl as a wife.”"
Study Genesis → - Genesis 34:6
"Meanwhile, Shechem’s father Hamor came to speak with Jacob."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 34:8
"But Hamor said to them, “My son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife."
Study Genesis →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שְׁכֶם | šĕkem | Shekem , a place in Palestine |