Dinah דִּינָה

Dinah was the daughter of Israel (or 'Jacob') and Leah, born after six sons (Gen.30.21). She is most prominently featured in Genesis 34, which recounts a tragic event that had far-reaching consequences for her family and the inhabitants of Shechem.

When Dinah went out to visit the women of the land, Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, saw her and raped her (Gen.34.1-2). Despite this violation, Shechem became deeply attracted to Dinah and sought to marry her (Gen.34.3-4).

Jacob learned of the incident but remained silent until his sons returned from tending the livestock (Gen.34.5). Hamor, Shechem's father, approached Jacob to arrange a marriage between Shechem and Dinah, proposing intermarriage and trade between their peoples (Gen.34.6-10).

Dinah's brothers, however, were filled with grief and fury over the defilement of their sister (Gen.34.7). They deceitfully agreed to the marriage on the condition that all the men of Shechem be circumcised (Gen.34.13-17). The Shechemites agreed, and all the men of the city were circumcised (Gen.34.18-24).

Three days later, while the men of Shechem were still in pain, Simeon and Levi, two of Dinah's brothers, attacked the city, killed all the males, plundered the city, and took Dinah back (Gen.34.25-29). This action troubled Jacob, who feared retaliation from the surrounding peoples (Gen.34.30).

Dinah is later mentioned in the listing of Jacob's descendants who went to Egypt during the famine (Gen.46.15). Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of sexual violence and the dangers of deceit and revenge.