Overview of Genesis 34–36 (KJV)
Genesis 34 – The Defilement of Dinah
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Dinah, Jacob’s daughter by Leah, goes out to visit the women of the land.
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Shechem, son of Hamor the Hivite, takes her and defiles her.
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He desires to marry her and speaks kindly afterward.
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Hamor negotiates with Jacob and his sons, offering intermarriage and trade.
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Jacob’s sons, especially Simeon and Levi, deceitfully agree if all males of Shechem are circumcised.
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On the third day, when the men are sore, Simeon and Levi kill all the males and rescue Dinah.
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Jacob rebukes them for endangering the family by making them odious among the inhabitants.
Genesis 35 – Jacob Returns to Bethel
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God commands Jacob to go to Bethel and build an altar.
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Jacob puts away foreign gods from his household, purifies them, and goes up to Bethel.
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God confirms His covenant with Jacob, changing his name again to Israel.
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Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, dies and is buried under the oak of Bethel.
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Rachel dies in childbirth, giving birth to Benjamin, and is buried near Bethlehem.
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Reuben sins by laying with Bilhah, his father’s concubine.
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A list of Jacob’s twelve sons is recorded.
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Isaac dies at 180 years old and is buried by Esau and Jacob.
Genesis 36 – The Generations of Esau
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A genealogy of Esau (also called Edom) is given in detail.
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His wives, sons, and grandsons are listed.
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The chiefs (dukes) descended from Esau are named.
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Kings who reigned in Edom before Israel had kings are recorded.
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The chapter establishes Esau as the father of the Edomites, a nation distinct from Israel.
? In summary:
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Genesis 34 – Dinah defiled, Simeon & Levi’s violent vengeance.
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Genesis 35 – Jacob purifies his house, returns to Bethel, Rachel dies, and Isaac dies.
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Genesis 36 – Esau’s descendants become the nation of Edom.