Gen 34:10-12 | NETfull | STEP | You may live among us, and the land will be open to you. Live in it, travel freely in it, and acquire property in it.”

Genesis 34:10-12

10 You may live ^{▼▼ The imperfect verbal form has a permissive nuance here.} among us, and the land will be open to you. ^{▼▼ Heb “before you.”} Live in it, travel freely in it, ^{▼▼ The verb seems to carry the basic meaning “travel about freely,” although the substantival participial form refers to a trader (see E. A. Speiser, “The Verb sḥr in Genesis and Early Hebrew Movements,” BASOR 164 [1961]: 23-28); cf. NIV, NRSV “trade in it.”} and acquire property in it.”

11 Then Shechem said to Dinah’s ^{▼▼ Heb “her”; the referent (Dinah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} father and brothers, “Let me find favor in your sight, and whatever you require of me ^{▼▼ Heb “whatever you say.”} I’ll give. ^{▼▼ Or “pay.”} 12 You can make the bride price and the gift I must bring very expensive, ^{▼▼ Heb “Make very great upon me the bride price and gift.” The imperatives are used in a rhetorical manner. Shechem’s point is that he will pay the price, no matter how expensive it might be.} and I’ll give ^{▼▼ The cohortative expresses Shechem’s resolve to have Dinah as his wife.} whatever you ask ^{▼▼ Heb “say.”} of me. Just give me the young woman as my wife!”