Redeemed by His Love? The Characterization of Shechem in Genesis 34

Abstract

This article gives consideration to the apparent `rehabilitation' of the character of Shechem in the narrative of Genesis 34, following his initially negative portrayal as the rapist of Dinah, Jacob's daughter. Through a close analysis of the Hebrew language used by the narrator within this text to describe Shechem's actions and emotions, this article argues that this biblical rapist's depiction is perhaps not as `redemptive' as it may first appear. Furthermore, the article takes to task those interpreters who not only argue in favour of a textual basis for Shechem's seeming `rehabilitation', but who also suggest that such a redemption is understandable, if not merited.