Tag: Dinah

Jacob’s 11 Sons

Posted on by jovial_cynic

And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok.
Genesis 32:22 (NKJV)

Normally, when the Hebrew language says “men” or “sons,” the collective noun can also mean “men and women” and “sons and daughters.” But when the collective noun has a numeric descriptor (ELEVEN sons), it is specifically addressing the sons and not the daughters.
Here, the rabbis note that this text has specifically EXCLUDED Dinah.

Where is she?

It’s unclear, but one view is that Jacob has hidden her in a basket so that Esau does not see her. If we are meant to view Esau as a symbol of wickedness and lustful cravings, it would make sense that Jacob would hide his daughter from his brother.

It’s an interesting perspective. A subsequent view takes it further and suggests that this may be a nod to the horror of Genesis 34. Jacob wanted to shield her, but the thing he feared happens anyway.

Dinah

Posted on by jovial_cynic

Afterward she gave birth to a daughter, and named her Dinah.
Genesis 30:21 (NASB)

Of Rachel and Leah’s children in Genesis 30, Dinah is the only girl. While this is notable, the rabbis also notice that Dinah is the only child for whom the phrase “and she conceived” is omitted.

One possible reason is that Dinah is Zebulun’s twin sister, and that the conception mentioned in verse 19 covers both siblings.

Also notable: Dinah’s name is not explained. It means “judgement.”