Shechem שְׁכֶם
Founded the city where Dinah was raped
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
"He bought the parcel of ground where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for one hundred pieces of money."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 34:2
"Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her. He took her, lay with her, and humbled her."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 34:4
"Shechem spoke to his father, Hamor, saying, “Get me this young lady as a wife.”"
Study Genesis → - Genesis 34:6
"Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to talk with him."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 34:8
"Hamor talked with them, saying, “The soul of my son, Shechem, longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife."
Study Genesis →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שְׁכֶם | H7927H |