Genesis 34:30
New International Version
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me obnoxious to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.”

New Living Translation
Afterward Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have ruined me! You’ve made me stink among all the people of this land—among all the Canaanites and Perizzites. We are so few that they will join forces and crush us. I will be ruined, and my entire household will be wiped out!”

English Standard Version
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me stink to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. My numbers are few, and if they gather themselves against me and attack me, I shall be destroyed, both I and my household.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble upon me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people of this land. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.”

King James Bible
And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

New King James Version
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I.”

New American Standard Bible
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me repulsive among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since my men are few in number, they will band together against me and attack me, and I will be destroyed, I and my household!”

NASB 1995
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me odious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and my men being few in number, they will gather together against me and attack me and I will be destroyed, I and my household.”

NASB 1977
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me, by making me odious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and my men being few in number, they will gather together against me and attack me and I shall be destroyed, I and my household.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me odious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and my men being few in number, they will gather together against me and strike me, and I will be destroyed, I and my household.”

Amplified Bible
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have ruined me, making me a stench to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites! My men are few in number, and the men of the land will band together against me and attack me; I shall be destroyed, I and my household.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me, making me odious to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me, making me odious to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.”

American Standard Version
And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me, to make me odious to the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and, I being few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and smite me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

Contemporary English Version
Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "Look what you've done! Now I'm in real trouble with the Canaanites and Perizzites who live around here. There aren't many of us, and if they attack, they'll kill everyone in my household."

English Revised Version
And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me, to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and, I being few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and smite me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have caused me a lot of trouble! You've made the people living in the area, the Canaanites and the Perizzites, hate me. There are only a few of us. If they join forces against me and attack me, my family and I will be wiped out."

Good News Translation
Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have gotten me into trouble; now the Canaanites, the Perizzites, and everybody else in the land will hate me. I do not have many men; if they all band together against me and attack me, our whole family will be destroyed."

International Standard Version
Then Jacob told Simeon and Levi, "You have certainly stirred up trouble for me! You've made me despised by the Canaanites and the Perizzites who live in this territory. Because I have only a few men with me, they're going to gather themselves together and attack me until I am totally destroyed, along with my entire household!"

Majority Standard Bible
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, ?You have brought trouble upon me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people of this land. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.?

NET Bible
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought ruin on me by making me a foul odor among the inhabitants of the land--among the Canaanites and the Perizzites. I am few in number; they will join forces against me and attack me, and both I and my family will be destroyed!"

New Heart English Bible
Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble on me, to make me odious to the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites. I am few in number. They will gather themselves together against me and attack me, and I and my household will be destroyed."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me odious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites, and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they will assemble themselves against me, and slay me, and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

World English Bible
Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have troubled me, to make me odious to the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites. I am few in number. They will gather themselves together against me and strike me, and I will be destroyed, I and my house.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jacob says to Simeon and to Levi, “You have troubled me, by causing me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanite, and among the Perizzite: and I [am] few in number, and they have been gathered against me, and have struck me, and I have been destroyed, I and my house.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Jacob saith unto Simeon and unto Levi, 'Ye have troubled me, by causing me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanite, and among the Perizzite: and I am few in number, and they have been gathered against me, and have smitten me, and I have been destroyed, I and my house.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jacob will say to Simeon and to Levi, Ye troubled me to make me evil to him dwelling in the land to the Canaanites, and to the Perizzites and I men of number, and they will gather together and smite me, and I all be destroyed, and my house.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they had boldly perpetrated these things, Jacob said to Simeon and Levi: You have troubled me, and made me hateful to the Chanaanites and Pherezites, the inhabitants of this land: we are few: they will gather themselves together and kill me; and both I, and my house, shall be destroyed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
When they had boldly completed these acts, Jacob said to Simeon and Levi: “You have troubled me, and you have made me hateful to the Canaanites and the Perizzites, the inhabitants of this land. We are few. They, gathering themselves together, may strike me down, and then both I and my house will be wiped away.”

New American Bible
Jacob said to Simeon and Levi: “You have brought trouble upon me by making me repugnant to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. I have so few men that, if these people unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be wiped out.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me odious to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites; my numbers are few, and if they gather themselves against me and attack me, I shall be destroyed, both I and my household.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, You have done me a great harm, for you have hurt my reputation among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and I being few in numbers, they may gather themselves together against me, and attack me; I shall be destroyed, both I and my household.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yaquuv said to Shemon and to Levi, “You have done me damage for you have done evil to me among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and among the Perizites, and I am small in number, and they will assemble against me and strike me, and I shall be destroyed and my house.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi: 'Ye have troubled me, to make me odious unto the inhabitants of the land, even unto the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and, I being few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and smite me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jacob said to Symeon and Levi, Ye have made me hateful so that I should be evil to all the inhabitants of the land, both among the Chananites and the Pherezites, and I am few in number; they will gather themselves against me and cut me in pieces, and I shall be utterly destroyed, and my house.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Revenge of Dinah's Brothers
29They carried off all their possessions and women and children, and they plundered everything in their houses. 30Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble upon me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people of this land. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.” 31But they replied, “Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?”…

Cross References
Genesis 49:5-7
Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence. / May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For they kill men in their anger, and hamstring oxen on a whim. / Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.

Joshua 7:25
“Why have you brought this trouble upon us?” said Joshua. “Today the LORD will bring trouble upon you!” And all Israel stoned him to death. Then they stoned the others and burned their bodies.

1 Chronicles 2:7
The son of Carmi: Achar, who brought trouble upon Israel by violating the ban on devoted things.

Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.

Exodus 5:21
“May the LORD look upon you and judge you,” the foremen said, “for you have made us a stench before Pharaoh and his officials; you have placed in their hand a sword to kill us!”

1 Samuel 13:13-14
“You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. / But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”

2 Samuel 12:14
Nevertheless, because by this deed you have shown utter contempt for the word of the LORD, the son born to you will surely die.”

1 Kings 21:20
When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.” He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.

2 Kings 21:16
Moreover, Manasseh shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end, in addition to the sin that he had caused Judah to commit, doing evil in the sight of the LORD.

Jeremiah 7:6
if you no longer oppress the foreigner and the fatherless and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm,

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 10:22
You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.

Luke 21:17
And you will be hated by everyone because of My name.

John 15:18-19
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.


Treasury of Scripture

And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, You have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

Ye have.

Genesis 49:5-7
Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations…

Joshua 7:25
And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.

1 Kings 18:18
And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.

to stink.

Exodus 5:21
And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

1 Samuel 13:4
And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.

1 Samuel 27:12
And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.

and I being.

Deuteronomy 4:17
The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,

Deuteronomy 7:7
The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:

1 Chronicles 16:12
Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

and I shall.

Genesis 12:2,12
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: …

Genesis 28:13,14
And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; …

1 Samuel 16:2
And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.

Jump to Previous
Assemble Canaanites Destroyed Few Gather House Inhabitants Jacob Levi Odious Perizzites Simeon Slay Smite Stink Strike Themselves Together Troubled
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Assemble Canaanites Destroyed Few Gather House Inhabitants Jacob Levi Odious Perizzites Simeon Slay Smite Stink Strike Themselves Together Troubled
Genesis 34
1. Dinah is ravished by Shechem.
4. He requests to marry her.
13. The sons of Jacob offer the condition of circumcision to the Shechemites.
20. Hamor and Shechem persuade them to accept it.
25. The sons of Jacob upon that advantage slay them, and spoil their city.
30. Jacob reproves Simeon and Levi.
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Then Jacob said
This phrase marks a pivotal moment where Jacob, the patriarch, addresses his sons Simeon and Levi. The Hebrew root for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which often implies a declaration or a significant pronouncement. Jacob's words here are not just casual remarks but carry the weight of a father and leader addressing a grave situation. Historically, Jacob's role as a patriarch was to guide and protect his family, and his words reflect the gravity of the consequences of his sons' actions.

to Simeon and Levi
Simeon and Levi, two of Jacob's sons, are central figures in this narrative. Their actions in Shechem, where they avenged their sister Dinah by deceitfully slaughtering the men of the city, have brought about this confrontation. The historical context of tribal dynamics in ancient Canaan is crucial here. Simeon and Levi's actions were driven by a sense of familial honor, yet they disregarded the broader implications for their family and tribe.

You have brought trouble on me
The Hebrew word for "trouble" is "עָכַר" (akar), which conveys a sense of disturbance or calamity. Jacob's lament is not just about personal inconvenience but a profound disruption to his family's safety and reputation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, reputation and alliances were vital for survival, and Jacob's concern reflects the precariousness of their situation.

by making me a stench
The metaphor of being a "stench" is powerful, indicating a severe loss of respect and standing among the surrounding peoples. In Hebrew, "stench" is "בָּאַשׁ" (ba'ash), suggesting something offensive or repulsive. This imagery underscores the social and political fallout from Simeon and Levi's actions, as they have made Jacob's family odious to their neighbors.

to the Canaanites and Perizzites
The Canaanites and Perizzites were significant groups in the land of Canaan. Archaeological findings and historical records indicate that these peoples were well-established and influential. Jacob's fear of becoming a target for these groups highlights the delicate balance of power and the constant threat of conflict in the region.

the people living in the land
This phrase emphasizes the immediate and pervasive presence of other tribes and peoples in Canaan. The land was not empty but populated with established communities, each with their own interests and alliances. Jacob's family, being "few in number," was vulnerable in this complex social landscape.

We are few in number
Jacob's acknowledgment of their small numbers is a realistic assessment of their vulnerability. In the ancient world, strength often lay in numbers and alliances. Jacob's family, though chosen by God, was still subject to the practical realities of survival in a hostile environment.

if they unite against me and attack me
The potential for a united front against Jacob's family was a genuine threat. The Hebrew word for "unite" is "אָסַף" (asaph), meaning to gather or assemble. This reflects the fear of a coalition forming against them, which would be overwhelming given their limited resources and numbers.

I and my household will be destroyed
The word "destroyed" in Hebrew is "שָׁמַד" (shamad), indicating complete ruin or annihilation. Jacob's fear is not just for himself but for his entire household, which includes his sons, their families, and all his possessions. This highlights the patriarchal responsibility Jacob felt for the survival and continuity of his lineage.

(30) Ye have troubled me.--Jacob's timidity led him to think first of the danger that would result from the conduct of his sons, and only afterwards of the cruelty and treacherousness of their deed. He commented upon this on his dying bed in words of fitting reprobation, but his reproof now is singularly weak, and the retort of his sons just. If the danger were all, this could have no weight when a shameful wrong had been done; but in avenging this wrong they had committed a crime of a deeper dye

Verse 30. - And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me (i.e. brought trouble upon me) to make me to stink - or, to cause me to become hateful; μισητόν με πεποιήκατε (LXX.) - among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites (vide Genesis 13:7): and I (sc. with my attendants) being few in number, - literally, men of number, i.e. that can be easily numbered, a small band (cf. Deuteronomy 4:27; Psalm 105.. 12; Jeremiah 44:28) - they (literally, and they) shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house. That Jacob should have spoken to his sons only of his own danger, and not of their guilt, has been ascribed to his belief that this was the only motive which their carnal minds could understand (Keil, Gerlach); to a remembrance of his own deceitfulness, which disqualified him in a measure from being the censor of his sons (Kalisch, Wordsworth); to the lowered moral and spiritual tone of his own mind (Candlish, 'Speaker's Commentary'); to the circumstance that, having indulged his children in their youth, be was now afraid to reprove them (Inglis). That Jacob afterwards attained to a proper estimate of their bloody deed his last prophetic utterance reveals (Genesis 49:5-7). By some it is supposed that he even now felt the crime in all its heinousness (Kalisch), though his reproach was somewhat leniently expressed in the word "trouble" (Lange); while others, believing Jacob's abhorrence of his sons' fanatical cruelty to have been deep and real, account for its omission by the historian on the ground that he aimed merely at showing "the protection of God (Genesis 35:5), through which Jacob escaped the evil consequences of their conduct" (Hengstenberg, Kurtz).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Jacob
יַעֲקֹ֜ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Simeon
שִׁמְע֣וֹן (šim·‘ō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8095: Simeon -- a son of Jacob, also his tribe, also an Israelite with a foreign wife

and Levi,
לֵוִי֮ (lê·wî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3878: Levi -- a son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him

“You have brought trouble
עֲכַרְתֶּ֣ם (‘ă·ḵar·tem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5916: To roil water, to disturb, affict

upon me
אֹתִי֒ (’ō·ṯî)
Direct object marker | first person common singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

by making me repugnant
לְהַבְאִישֵׁ֙נִי֙ (lə·haḇ·’î·šê·nî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 887: To smell bad, to be offensive

to the Canaanites
בַּֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י (bak·kə·na·‘ă·nî)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3669: Canaanite -- inhabitant of Canaan

and Perizzites,
וּבַפְּרִזִּ֑י (ū·ḇap·pə·riz·zî)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6522: Perizzite -- a people in the land of Canaan

the people
בְּיֹשֵׁ֣ב (bə·yō·šêḇ)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

of this land.
הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

We
וַאֲנִי֙ (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

are few
מְתֵ֣י (mə·ṯê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4962: An adult, a man

in number;
מִסְפָּ֔ר (mis·pār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration

if they unite
וְנֶאֶסְפ֤וּ (wə·ne·’es·p̄ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

against me
עָלַי֙ (‘ā·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and attack me,
וְהִכּ֔וּנִי (wə·hik·kū·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

I
אֲנִ֥י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

and my household
וּבֵיתִֽי׃ (ū·ḇê·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1004: A house

will be destroyed.?
וְנִשְׁמַדְתִּ֖י (wə·niš·maḏ·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8045: To be exterminated or destroyed


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OT Law: Genesis 34:30 Jacob said to Simeon and Levi You (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 34:29
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