Dinah (Hebrew "judged" or "vindicated") was the daughter of Jacob and Leah and takes the role of daughter, sister, rape victim, and potential bride whose relationship between Israelites and Canaanites brings about themes of sex, violence, honor, and moral dilemmas. This story is part of the J text and the characters are enmeshed in moral ambiguities.
Shechem is the name of both the prince who raped Dinah and the prince's city. Shechem is a Canaanite city-state located in the West Bank and is mentioned in the Old Testament, Ebla Tablets, and Amarna Letters. Shechem wants to marry Dinah after raping her. He raped her by force but speaks 'tenderly' to her - thus making the rapist an almost sympathetic figure.
Being a rape victim, Dinah and her family's honor is soiled but can be restored if she marries Shechem but this gets complicated due to him being a Hivite, thus meaning the Israelites would have to mix with the Canaanites. Shechem and all the men of his city circumcised themselves to make peace with the Israelites.
Simeon and Levi murder Shechem and all the men of the city in order to free Dinah and return her home.
Music:
Teller of Tales - Kevin MacLeod
Works Cited:
The HarperCollins Study Bible (2006). New York: HarperCollins
