Hamor
malePatriarchalMeaning: “Donkey”
The Hivite prince of Shechem whose son violated Dinah; he sought an alliance with Jacob’s family but was killed in the brothers’ revenge.
Biography
Hamor was the Hivite prince of the region of Shechem and the father of the young man Shechem, who violated Jacob's daughter Dinah (Genesis 34). Seeking to make peace and an alliance, Hamor proposed intermarriage between his people and Jacob's family, and even agreed to be circumcised along with all the men of his city (Genesis 34:8–24). But Dinah's brothers Simeon and Levi used the men's weakened state to fall upon the city, killing Hamor and Shechem and plundering the place (Genesis 34:26). Jacob bought a parcel of ground from Hamor's sons that later became Joseph's burial place (Joshua 24:32).
Life Timeline
Seeks an alliance with Jacob after his son wrongs Dinah
Killed with his son by Simeon and Levi
On the Bible timeline
Hamor 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 Hamor
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Hamor appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
12 verses in 3 booksGenesis10 verses
Genesis 33:19
And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of money. Hamor: Gr. Emmor pieces: or, lambs
Genesis 34:2
And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her. defiled: Heb. humbled her
Genesis 34:4
And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.
Genesis 34:6
And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.
Genesis 34:8
And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.
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 34:18
And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.
Genesis 34:20
And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,
Genesis 34:24
And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.
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
Joshua1 verse
Joshua 24:32
And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph. pieces: or, lambs
Judges1 verse
Judges 9:28
And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?
Frequently asked about Hamor
Who was Hamor in the Bible?
The Hivite prince of Shechem whose son violated Dinah; he sought an alliance with Jacob’s family but was killed in the brothers’ revenge.
What does the name Hamor mean?
The name Hamor means “Donkey”.
Who were Hamor's children?
Hamor's children include Shechem.
Where does Hamor appear in the Bible?
Hamor is mentioned 12 times across 3 books: Genesis, Joshua, Judges.
What can we learn from Hamor?
The story of Hamor touches on themes of vengeance, wife, ebed, jacob — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Hamor's life.
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