Dinah
femalePatriarchalMeaning: “Judged; vindicated”
The only named daughter of Jacob and Leah, whose violation at Shechem provoked the vengeful massacre carried out by her brothers Simeon and Levi.
Biography
Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, is the only daughter of Jacob named in Scripture. Her brief, tragic story in Genesis 34 exposes the violence and dishonor that could erupt around the patriarchal family.
The outrage at Shechem
When the family camped near the city of Shechem, Dinah "went out to see the daughters of the land" and was seized and violated by Shechem, the prince of the region (Genesis 34:1–2). Shechem then sought to marry her, and his father Hamor proposed an alliance between the two peoples.
The brothers' revenge
Dinah's brothers, "grieved, and… very wroth" (Genesis 34:7), agreed to the marriage only if every male of the city were circumcised. While the men lay in pain, Simeon and Levi fell on the city, killed the males, and plundered it (Genesis 34:25–29). Jacob rebuked their treachery, and on his deathbed condemned their cruelty (Genesis 49:5–7). Dinah's story is a sober window into the cost of compromise and unchecked vengeance.
Life Timeline
Violated by Shechem, prince of the land
Avenged by Simeon and Levi, who destroy the city
On the Bible timeline
Dinah belongs to the The Patriarchs era (c. 2100 – 1800 BC).
- c. 2091 BCThe Call of Abraham
- c. 1898 BCJoseph Sold into Egypt
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Dinah
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Dinah appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
8 verses in 1 bookGenesis8 verses
Genesis 30:21
And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah. Dinah: that is Judgment
Genesis 34:1
And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.
Genesis 34:3
And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel. kindly: Heb. to the heart of the damsel
Genesis 34:5
And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.
Genesis 34:13
And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:
Genesis 34:25
And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
Genesis 34:26
And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out. edge: Heb. mouth
Genesis 46:15
These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty and three.
Frequently asked about Dinah
Who was Dinah in the Bible?
The only named daughter of Jacob and Leah, whose violation at Shechem provoked the vengeful massacre carried out by her brothers Simeon and Levi.
What does the name Dinah mean?
The name Dinah means “Judged; vindicated”.
Who were Dinah's parents?
Dinah was the child of Jacob, Leah.
Where does Dinah appear in the Bible?
Dinah is mentioned 8 times across 1 book: Genesis.
What can we learn from Dinah?
The story of Dinah touches on themes of jacob, vengeance, leah, revenge — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Dinah's life.
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