Genesis 34:30
Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)
فَقَالَ يَعْقُوبُ لِشَمْعُونَ وَلَاوِي: «لَقَدْ أزْعَجْتُمَانِي إذْ صِرْتُ مَكرُوهًا بَيْنَ قَاطِنِي هَذِهِ البِلَادِ مِنَ الكَنعَانِيِّينَ وَالفِرِزِّيِّينَ. أنَا وَعَائِلَتِي قِلَّةٌ. لِهَذَا أخشَى أنْ يَجْتَمِعُوا عَلَينَا، وَأنْ يُهَاجِمُونَا، فَيُدَمِّرُونَا أنَا وَأهْلَ بَيْتِي.»
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, Jacob is upset with his sons Simeon and Levi because they caused trouble that could make Jacob and his family hated by the local people. He worries that with only a small group, they could be attacked and destroyed.
Explained for Children
Imagine if your friends got into a fight at school and now everyone is mad at you. That's how Jacob feels. He's worried that because of his sons' actions, everyone will want to hurt him and his family.
Historical Background
This verse is from the Book of Genesis, traditionally believed to be written by Moses around 1446-1406 BCE. It is part of the historical narrative of the Israelites and is addressing the audience of the time, who were familiar with the Canaanite and Perizzite tribes.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this verse teaches us about the consequences of our actions on our community. For example, if a member of a small business team does something that offends a major client, it could put the whole business at risk.
Topics
conflictfamilyconsequencescommunityleadershipwisdom
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Jacob worried about being 'few in number'?
Jacob was worried because he had a small family compared to the larger tribes around them, and he feared that any conflict could lead to their destruction due to their limited strength in numbers.
How did Simeon and Levi's actions affect Jacob?
Simeon and Levi's actions made Jacob fearful of retaliation from the local tribes, which could endanger his entire family, showing the serious consequences of their actions.
What can we learn about leadership from this verse?
Leadership involves considering the well-being of the entire group and anticipating potential consequences of actions taken by members of the group.
What does this verse teach us about community relations?
This verse highlights the importance of maintaining good relations with the surrounding community to ensure the safety and well-being of one's family or group.