Who is…
Dinah

also known as: Dina

Hebrew: דִּינָה —meaning: judged; vindicated

She is a daughter of Jacob by Leah, and full sister of Simeon and Levi (Genesis 30:21).

She was seduced with kind words, taken away and possibly raped by Shechem, the lustful son of Hamor, the Hivite chief, when Jacob’s camp was in the neighborhood of Shechem. This led to the terrible revenge of Simeon and Levi in putting the Shechemites to death (Genesis 34).

Jacob makes frequent reference to this terrible deed abhored and regreted (Genesis 34:30; 49:5-7). On his deathbed, Jacob prophecied these 2 sons’ future and cursed their violent and cruel anger (Genesis 49).

Simeon and Levi are brothers;
Their swords are implements of violence.
Let my soul not enter into their council;
Let not my glory be united with their assembly;
Because in their anger they killed men,
And in their self-will they hamstrung oxen.
Cursed be their anger, for it is strong;
And their wrath, for it is cruel.
I will divide them amongst Jacob,
And scatter them in Israel. —Gen. 49:5-7

Dinah is later mentioned among the rest of Jacob’s family that went down into Egypt (Genesis 46:8, 15).

Nothing else is recorded about her life.

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Article Version: January 24, 2025