the men who will counterattack against the sons of Jacob. Simeon and Levi are fully aware of this. However, if every male entering through the gates were circumcised, they would be incapacitated long enough for Simeon and Levi to launch a fatal attack.

❷ the chief at the time. This suggests that the authority was absolute. Here, “every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city” emphasizes that he consented to be circumcised. When the sons of Jacob attempt to eliminate the men of Shechem, these are

a thing. Hath a nation changed. “their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.”) The fact that the people of Shechem accepted the religious rituals of other peoples was either due to ❶ Shechem’s clever persuasion or

because it enabled Shechem to marry Dinah, but it was also because they thought they could make all of Israel's livestock and property their own. Jer 2:10, 11, “For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such

They thought that they would never agree that all their males should be circumcised as a condition of Shechem and Hamor's intermarriage. However, the Canaanites accepted their offer and had all the males in the city be circumcised. The reason they so obediently circumcised was

And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.
Genesis 34:24 [KJV]

BE ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

~EPHESIANS 5:1-2 (KJV)