THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
As he and his father approached the entrance of their city, they engaged in conversation with the residents, advising them to undergo circumcision as proposed by the sons of Jacob, and to welcome them into their community.
Genesis 34:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And going into the gate of the city, they spoke to the people:
וַיָּבֹ֥א חֲמ֛וֹר וּשְׁכֶ֥ם בְּנ֖וֹ אֶל־שַׁ֣עַר עִירָ֑ם וַֽיְדַבְּר֛וּ אֶל־אַנְשֵׁ֥י עִירָ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Jerome of Stridon
In this instance, the Seventy Interpreters rendered the term as ‘peaceable,’ while Aquila opted for ἀπηρτισμένοι, meaning ‘perfect’ or ‘completed.’ This aligns with the Hebrew word salamin (שְֽׁלֵמִ֧ים). Therefore, we can affirm that the previous statements regarding Salim are accurate.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Ruth 4:1Then Booz went up to the gate, and sat there. And when he had seen the kinsman going by, of whom he had spoken before, he said to him, calling him by his name: Turn aside for a little while, and sit down here. He turned aside, and sat down.
- Gen 22:17I will bless thee, and I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is by the sea shore; thy seed shall possess the gates of their enemies.
- 2 Sam 15:2And Absalom rising up early stood by the entrance of the gate, and when any man had business to come to the king's judgment, Absalom called him to him, and said: Of what city art thou? He answered, and said: Thy servant is of such tribe of Israel.
- Deut 17:5Thou shalt bring forth the man or the woman, who have committed that most wicked thing, to the gates of thy city, and they shall be stoned.
- Prov 31:23Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.
- Amos 5:10They have hated him that rebuketh in the gate: and have abhorred him that speaketh perfectly.
- Amos 5:15Hate evil, and love good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be the Lord the God of hosts may have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.
- Job 29:7When I went out to the gate of the city, and in the street they prepared me a chair?