Who was Dinah in the Bible?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

What we know of Dinah in the Bible can be found in Genesis 30:21 and Genesis 34. Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah. She was raped by Shechem, the son of Hamor, while visiting the local women in Canaan. Despite the violation, Shechem fell in love with Dinah and sought to marry her with his father's help. Jacob's sons, angered by the dishonor brought upon their sister and family, agreed to the marriage under the condition that Shechem and his people become circumcised. However, they deceived Shechem's city, slaughtered the men, and rescued Dinah, causing Jacob's concern for their safety among neighboring tribes. Yet, God reassured Jacob of his inheritance and protection, leading Jacob to listen and follow (Genesis 35). Dinah is noted in Genesis 46:15 as a daughter of Jacob and Lean, but her fate is not mentioned in subsequent biblical accounts.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Dinah is the youngest child and only known daughter of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 30:21).
• While her family was living in the land of Canaan, Dinah went into one of the cities to visit with the local women. During her visit she was raped by a young man named Shechem. "And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her" (Genesis 34:2). Afterwards Shechem fell in love with Dinah and enlisted his father's help to take her as his wife.
• When Jacob learned that his daughter had been raped, he waited for his sons to return from the fields before deciding how to respond. Shechem and his father arrived asking for Dinah's hand in marriage. Hamor explained how it would be a profitable connection between the two families, allowing them to intermarry and trade. Shechem also offered to pay whatever dowry they requested. Jacob's sons agreed to the marriage as long as Hamor, Shechem, and all the men of their city became circumcised. For Dinah to marry an uncircumcised man would have been a disgrace (Genesis 34:13–17). Hamor and Shechem agreed (Genesis 34:18).
• Jacob’s sons did not approve of Shechem marrying their sister. Instead they wanted justice for the rape he had committed. They were angry that his actions had dishonored Dinah and the family's name. Even if they did marry, Dinah would still be viewed as a prostitute and Shechem's behavior would be ignored. On the third day after the communal circumcision was performed, Simeon and Levi went into the city and killed Shechem, Hamor, and all the able-bodied men who were still recovering. Jacob's sons then plundered the city and took the wealth, livestock, and women and children. Afterward they took Dinah from Shechem’s house and went home (Genesis 34:19–31).
• Jacob was displeased with his sons' rash actions, fearing that they had put them in a dangerous position with the neighboring Canaanites and Perizzites. However, God encouraged Jacob that he would inherit the land of Isaac and Abraham and God would be with him. Jacob listened to God and followed Him (Genesis 35:1–15).
• Dinah is again listed as the daughter of Leah and Jacob in Genesis 46:15, but not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Dinah is not mentioned in the New Testament.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Dinah's story is difficult. Her experience underscores the importance of respecting individuals as made in the image of God and not objects to be conquered and used. Shechem's actions were a violation of Dinah’s autonomy and dignity and went against God’s laws (Genesis 34:7; Deuteronomy 22:13–29). God’s heart is to protect all people and to uphold His beautiful design for marriage and intimacy. The order and justice expressed toward those who do not follow His laws reveal the severity of sin. Although Simeon and Levi took justice into their own hands and sinned, it also reveals that our response to sin should not be one of indifference. Sin is a violation against God and sin violates others. God is not indifferent to sin. The Bible says that God hates sin (Psalm 11:5; Proverbs 16:16–19) and calls us to hate evil too (Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 8:13; Amos 5:15; Romans 12:9). When we see sin and injustice, we need to trust that God is the ultimate judge, that His response to sin and injustice is greater than ours, and that we do not have to seek vengeance. This does not mean we do not seek repercussions for actions, but we do not need to seek vengeance in a sinful way like Simeon and Levi did (Romans 12:17–19). We need to have God’s heart for sin and injustice, we need to fear and trust the Lord who is ultimately in control and seek to respond in a godly way to those who are hurting.

UNDERSTAND

• Dinah was raped by a man in Canaan.
• Dinah’s brothers sought and enacted revenge against Dinah’s violator.
• God promised Dinah’s father and family that they would be given the land they were in.

REFLECT

• What should be our response to sin and injustice?
• What does it look like to trust in God in the face of grievous sin and injustice?
• How can we walk alongside and help those who are suffering as a result of sin and injustice inflicted upon them?

ENGAGE

• Dinah is silent in her own story of injustice. While this is an issue for some, culturally, women did not have a voice like they do today. However, her brothers’ responses to her injustice reveal that rape was a horrific sin and that protection and care for the victim is important to God.
• The negotiation of Dinah's marriage after the violation reflects the cultural and societal norms of the time but not God’s intent. Despite it being normative, it raises questions about the ethical implications of such arrangements and the balance between cultural practices, economic need, and individual rights.
• How can we encourage those who have suffered injustice and sin done to them to find their voice and ultimately their trust in God?