Gen 34:5 | NETfull | STEP | When Jacob heard that Shechem had violated his daughter Dinah, his sons were with the livestock in the field. So Jacob remained silent until they came in.

Genesis 34:5

5 When ^{▼▼ The two disjunctive clauses in this verse (“Now Jacob heard…and his sons were”) are juxtaposed to indicate synchronic action.} Jacob heard that Shechem ^{▼▼ Heb “he”; the referent (Shechem) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} had violated his daughter Dinah, his sons were with the livestock in the field. So Jacob remained silent ^{▼▼ The expected response would be anger or rage; but Jacob remained silent. He appears too indifferent or confused to act decisively. When the leader does not act decisively, the younger zealots will, and often with disastrous results.} until they came in.