The Tragedy of Dinah

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the chosen people. 00:00:03 Speaker 2: Brother, come to my village. 00:00:06 Speaker 1: Stay with me. 00:00:07 Speaker 3: We journey together. 00:00:09 Speaker 2: You go on ahead, go at the pace that suits you, and we will pay slowly behind until we meet you and see her. 00:00:17 Speaker 4: We aren't going to see her, are we? 00:00:20 Speaker 3: No, we are not. 00:00:23 Speaker 5: What a shame. 00:00:24 Speaker 4: It would have been nice to meet the twin who took all the good nature. 00:00:28 Speaker 2: The words stun that they were true men set the course for suck off? 00:00:33 Speaker 5: Why are we going there? Did God not tell you to go to Bethel? 00:00:40 Speaker 1: It didn't take long for the city of Shechem to take notice. Hamour, the city's chief, came galloping with his sons behind him. Jacob turned back to his family. His eldest sons, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah stood behind him. They were sizing up the sons of Hamel, itching for conflict. Jacob was done fighting. He wanted ease and peace. He turned back to Haml and extended his hand. 00:01:10 Speaker 6: Name your price, A hundred pieces of silver up front for the land, And if you don't prove yourself to be good for our people, then I'll have my son's come to shake more out of ya. This is my oldest Shechem he'll be back to collect your rent. 00:01:28 Speaker 3: I suggest treating him. 00:01:29 Speaker 6: To a meal every now and again when he visits. He's named after the city, and. 00:01:34 Speaker 7: He will all be his one day, so you'll best be. 00:01:37 Speaker 3: Good to him. 00:01:38 Speaker 1: Shechem flashed a mocking smile. Jacob could feel his son's tensing at the sight of him. Hamer and his sons rode off. Jacob turned, looking at his family's balking glass. Jacob wagged a finger and spoke to his boys. 00:01:55 Speaker 8: Give that no reasons, do you hear me? 00:02:00 Speaker 1: They nodded and left. Jacob sighed as he watched them go. He knew he shouldn't be here, yet fear kept him from moving forward. It would be his undoing. This episode of The Chosen People contains explicit content that may be triggering for some listeners and inappropriate for young children. Listener discretion is advised. 00:02:25 Speaker 4: Over here, Dinah enjoy a drink with us. 00:02:28 Speaker 1: Dinah flashed an innocent smile, looked to her left and right, then approached with a slight skip in her step. She loved visiting the city of Shechem. It was bursting at the scenes with a chaotic energy that made her feel alive. There were new things to learn around every corner. She had spent her whole life dwelling intense, moving pasture to pasture at her father's will. The buildings and homes made of stone and wood gave her an odd sense of power and control, but Dinah was terribly naive. She prounced around the city like the plains outside Lavin's camp. She was unaware of what lurked in the shadows, stalking. 00:03:10 Speaker 3: Like a lion. 00:03:12 Speaker 9: Dinah, we were just talking about you. 00:03:14 Speaker 4: You must settle a debate for us. 00:03:17 Speaker 10: What is it you Hebrews have more sheep than the gods themselves. Tell us which grass is best for grazing? Uh, well, that depends in winter. The coarse grass underneath the poplar groves. 00:03:35 Speaker 5: Makes the sheep nice and fertile for a good spring. 00:03:37 Speaker 4: Oh, please tell us more about the grass. Leave out nothing. 00:03:45 Speaker 1: Dinah realized they were teasing her, but couldn't muster up the courage to defend herself. She winced in embarrassment, then feigned a smile. 00:03:54 Speaker 10: Oh, yes, well, I really hate all that nonsense. 00:04:00 Speaker 5: Why do you think I spent so much time here? 00:04:02 Speaker 7: Uh? 00:04:02 Speaker 9: The wine the man, I doubt Dina's ever betted a man. She's a Hebrew. 00:04:10 Speaker 4: They keep everything hidden under sheep's woolen til they're married. 00:04:14 Speaker 8: What a bore. 00:04:15 Speaker 5: I know she's. 00:04:17 Speaker 4: Wasting her beauty. She's lucky to have it in the first place. Have you seen her mother? 00:04:23 Speaker 8: Well, I uh, leave the poor girl alone, Dinah turned. 00:04:30 Speaker 1: It was Shechem, son of Chief Haymore. He wasn't named Shekhem for nothing. He was heir to the city and walked around as such. He was a wiry man with a thin beard and wisps of hair falling to his side. Dinah wasn't sure what to make of him, but the other girls swooned in his presence, most likely because of the large purse strapped to the side of his belt. Sheckem was notorious for buying the companionship of every eligible girl in the city. He was kind to Dinah whenever they crossed paths. The attention made Dinah feel nice, although sometimes his lingering eyes made her uncomfortable. 00:05:09 Speaker 8: Dinah, would you like to take a stroll with me and escape these petty and insufferable girls? 00:05:14 Speaker 5: Oh Ah, I really must be heading home. 00:05:18 Speaker 8: Then I will escort you. 00:05:19 Speaker 3: Come. 00:05:20 Speaker 8: Let's walk together, as you say, my lord. 00:05:23 Speaker 1: Shechem held out his arm for Dinah. She accepted the gesture with a nervous smile. They left the busy streets and walked down a narrow, cobbled stairway leading to the city's gates. Sheckham was a perfect gentleman as they walked, asking Dinah earnest questions. 00:05:40 Speaker 8: Tell me, Dinah, how has your family adjusted to being this close to the city. I can imagine it being quite a shock. 00:05:47 Speaker 10: My father enjoys the business connections. He plans to gain more wealth through trading until we settle near Bethel. 00:05:54 Speaker 8: And what are your brothers? They are rather a feral lot, aren't they a h. 00:06:00 Speaker 10: Yes, well, my brothers certainly like visiting, but they don't know how to comport themselves. 00:06:07 Speaker 8: They lack the refinement you have. Dinah. You're a rare and elegant creature. You have the grace of a lady. 00:06:15 Speaker 1: Shechem stopped underneath the shadow of a stone archway. He raised a hand to Dinah's cheek. His eyes were wide and dark, taking all of her in. Dinah felt as if he were undressing her with his gaze. She wanted to pull away, but she didn't. 00:06:31 Speaker 8: Dinah, you are radiant and deserved to be cherished. 00:06:36 Speaker 5: Thank you, Shechem h that is kind. 00:06:40 Speaker 8: I must confess. I can't stop thinking about you. I long to be with you, Dinah. I only pray you return my affection. 00:06:50 Speaker 5: I'm not sure what to say. 00:06:52 Speaker 8: I must have you, Dinah. 00:06:54 Speaker 5: I will die. 00:06:55 Speaker 3: If I don't. 00:06:57 Speaker 1: Shechem squeezed Dinah's arm and brought her body cl his. He leaned in to smell her hair. Dinah could feel his body tense with desire. She was terrified, wanting nothing else but to melt so she could escape his grip. 00:07:13 Speaker 5: Please let me go. You're hurting me. 00:07:15 Speaker 8: You are the one who has hurt me. Every day. You have been hurting me. I ache with desire. I kill over at night, fantasizing about what it would be like to have you. 00:07:28 Speaker 3: I've watched you, Dinah. I've watched your coming and going. I've watched you draw water. 00:07:34 Speaker 8: From the well and dance under the lanterns. 00:07:38 Speaker 3: Each moment. 00:07:39 Speaker 8: I don't have you as painful. I shall be rid of that pain to day. 00:07:45 Speaker 1: But please no, Shekeam ignored Dinah's please for mercy. He seized her against the jagged stone walls and violated her. Shechem, like many young rich rulers of his time knew if he wanted something, he needed just take it for himself, and he wanted Dinah. He burned with a self serving and violent desire. Flailing and fighting, Dinah realized there would be nobody there to help her. Sheckn humiliated Dinah in the shadows. Dinah was humiliated and defiled. Yet instead of releasing her with threats, Shechm spoke tenderly and with gentleness. 00:08:29 Speaker 8: Ah, you are fair, sweet Dinah. I shall have you as my wife. He will be wet underneath lanterns and stars. Our children will rule this city. 00:08:44 Speaker 1: Dinah was speechless, paralyzed, and humiliated. 00:08:49 Speaker 8: There is no need to say anything, My dear, love can be overwhelming. Return to your tate, but do not enjoy it. 00:08:59 Speaker 7: Love. 00:09:00 Speaker 3: Soon you will be with me in a palace. 00:09:04 Speaker 1: Shechem kissed Dinah. His thin, wiry chin hair rubbed against Dinah's cheek, which was wet with tears. Shechem pranced away, satisfied with himself. Dinah lay there for a long while, cold and broken. Her sobbing echoed off the dark stone walls of the city. After an hour or so of holding herself, she hobbled back home. Simeon grunted in frustration, coiling and uncoiling some rope to try and get it perfectly taut. He cursed under his breath, vowing to give up each time before trying again. Levi chuckled at his older brother. 00:09:46 Speaker 3: You're gonna give me the roper nod. 00:09:47 Speaker 4: Your hands are. 00:09:48 Speaker 7: Like carrots, yes, but my fists are like stones. Get away and leave me to my work. 00:09:55 Speaker 1: Simeon shoved Levi, getting him a swift slap upside the head. In return, the two wrestled in the dirt for a moment. Reuben approached and kicked them both. 00:10:05 Speaker 2: I I'll just corral free sheep. It got past the crude fences you idiots built. 00:10:11 Speaker 3: As carrot fingers over here. 00:10:13 Speaker 2: I paid them three shekels to do my portion of the fence. 00:10:17 Speaker 7: If you had paid me for it would have been done better. 00:10:20 Speaker 1: The brothers continued to tease, jab and argue, as brothers do. The sons of Lea were close bound to each other by a bond beyond blood. They were sons of Leah the Lovelace. They all had chips on their shoulders. They were born with a certain rage that couldn't be quurled. They disagreed often, but were undyingly loyal. Their jesting was brought to an abrupt halt when they saw their sister, Dinah hobble down the road, weeping uncontrollably. 00:10:47 Speaker 7: Dinah, what happened? 00:11:03 Speaker 1: Levi removed his cloak and wrapped it around her. They sat beside her, trying to decipher her incoherent sobs. That's when they noticed all the signs. The haggard hair, the torn gown, the blood. Simeon snarled as his mind filled in the blanks. With an intense, low growl, he asked three simple words. 00:11:25 Speaker 3: Who did this? Shackle? I'll kill him. 00:11:30 Speaker 2: Not if I kill him first, Let's figure more out before we draw suits. 00:11:35 Speaker 3: I knew you'd say that, coward. 00:11:37 Speaker 7: You're built like a ball, but I swear you have the spine of a chicken. 00:11:41 Speaker 5: Please help me back home. 00:11:44 Speaker 7: Of course, sweet sister, come here. 00:11:47 Speaker 1: Simeon wrapped Diner in his arms and carried her to Leah's tent. She was mortified to hear about what happened to her daughter. She bathed her, fed her, and tucked her into bed. Simeon and Levi stayed outside her tent all night. Refusing to leave her side. Leah stared intensely at her husband, her scowl illuminated in the candlelight within his tent. 00:12:12 Speaker 4: What are you going to do about what happened to Dinah? 00:12:14 Speaker 3: What can I do? 00:12:16 Speaker 2: Shechem is the son of the most powerful man in the region. 00:12:19 Speaker 4: We shouldn't even be here. God told you to settle in Bethel. 00:12:23 Speaker 2: I know, but I thought we could be here for a while to regroup. 00:12:27 Speaker 3: I thought it would be good for. 00:12:29 Speaker 9: Us, good for you, maybe, But you've left the rest of us vulnerable to the city. 00:12:35 Speaker 4: Your daughter was raped. 00:12:36 Speaker 8: Jacob, keep your voice down. 00:12:38 Speaker 9: So we're going to pretend like this didn't happen. You're going to do nothing. 00:12:45 Speaker 3: For now? Yes, we do nothing very well. 00:12:51 Speaker 4: And how are you going to keep our sons from taking action? 00:12:55 Speaker 2: They wouldn't do anything without my command. 00:12:58 Speaker 9: Okay, Jacob, whatever you say, I'll let you find out on your own just how little you know about your own children. 00:13:06 Speaker 1: Leah left, shaking her head. Jacob remained where he stood for a long while, ashamed. His anger boiled against Shechem. He wanted to tear the boy Limb from Limb and burn the city to the ground. But if he retaliated. He risked a war he couldn't win, so Jacob resigned to forgetting it ever happened. He blew out his candle and slept in a pool of his own shame. The next morning, Jacob rose and chopped wood in silence. The woods splittlessily under Jacob's swing. He was growing old, but still had the strength of a mountain. 00:13:42 Speaker 2: Lyon. 00:13:44 Speaker 1: He channeled his rage to the firewood, hoping his sons were finding similar ways to quell their fury. He feared Leah was right. Simeon and Levi were born violent. They wanted any excuse to sharpen their swords. Jacob's fear became all the more palpable when he heard a shofar blow in the distance. Parading up the road with a procession of gifts and pomp Behind him was Haymore. He rode on a charcoal black horse adorned with purple phrase. His dark beard shimmered from expensive oils. Beside him was his scoundrel of a son, Shechem Jacob bore his teeth at the sight of them, but knew he had to be tactful. He drew a deep breath and slammed his axe against the wood. 00:14:35 Speaker 2: Nay, more so, what do I owe this illustrious visit? 00:14:40 Speaker 7: Love and honor, Jacob, Love and honor my son. 00:14:44 Speaker 6: Shechem has expressed a desire to marry your daughter, Dinah. 00:14:49 Speaker 2: He is that so? 00:14:51 Speaker 1: Jacob saw Leah exit her daughter's tent and cross her arms. She said nothing, and she dared not, but Jacob knew her thoughts. 00:14:59 Speaker 11: Oh yeah, shake him's soul longs for your daughter, Jacob. 00:15:05 Speaker 6: Let us consider a marriage, and all my land can be opened up to you for. 00:15:10 Speaker 7: Trade and property and farming. 00:15:13 Speaker 6: It'll be great, It'll be stupend this What do you say, shackem. 00:15:18 Speaker 8: Good and fair? Jacob, Let me find favor in your eyes. Dinah is a treasure. I would pay a hefty price to have her. 00:15:25 Speaker 7: How hefty a price? 00:15:27 Speaker 1: Jacob turned Simeon, Levi, Reuben, and Judas stood behind him, arms tense and ready to fight. Jacob did his best to hide his panic. He turned to Haymour and Shekehem. 00:15:40 Speaker 2: Gentlemen, surely you've met my four oldest sons. They are very protective of their sister. 00:15:48 Speaker 8: Gentlemen, name your price and I will pay it. 00:15:52 Speaker 1: Jacob turned to Simeon. He was surprisingly cool and calm. Simeon tilted his head and twitched his nose. Jacob could tell something was afoot in the back of Simeon's mind, but dared not ask in front of their guests. 00:16:06 Speaker 3: There are eleven of us sons. 00:16:08 Speaker 7: Some of us have daughters of our own, almost of age. Why not strike a treaty between us. We were just suggesting this to your father. 00:16:17 Speaker 3: You have a wise son, Jacob. 00:16:19 Speaker 2: Indeed I do. 00:16:21 Speaker 1: Simeon flashed a smile at his father. For a moment, it was as if Jacob was looking into a broken mirror. Simeon was scheming something, but this wasn't a scheme of stew or sheep. Simeon had violence in mind. 00:16:36 Speaker 7: It would disgrace us to give our sister to someone uncircumcised. Were sons of Abraham? After all, there are standards we must keep. 00:16:46 Speaker 11: Our only condition is that you and all your men be circumcised. Then we will give all our daughters to be with your men in marriage, and we can become one people, sharing in all things. 00:16:58 Speaker 3: What do you say? 00:17:00 Speaker 1: These words pleased Hamour and Shechem. Not only did Shechem get his desire, but every man would get a wife, and the region would get to share in Jacob's vast resources. Yet they rejoiced naively. Jacob's sons would not forgive what Shechim had done to their sister. On the third day, the city lay in an uneasy silence, the kind that clung to the air like a lingering fog. The sun was sinking low, bleeding its last light across the city. As it dipped toward the western horizon, the heat of the Dame met the cool breath of evening in a strange embrace, an omen perhaps of the violence that hung in the balance. The men of the land, weary and sore, lay still in their beds, nursing the wounds from their circumcisions. Pain norded them, but they bore it with grim resolve, knowing that suffering was the price for more live stock, more women, more power. They slept, their dreams painted with visions of young wives, the soft clamor of coins, and the steady. 00:18:06 Speaker 3: Bleating of sheep. 00:18:08 Speaker 1: As the sun finally yielded to the night, the moon cast its pallid beams behind a shroud of dark clouds, a harbinger of what was to come. The court yard of Haymour's home was left unguarded, unmanned, as if fated self had turned a blind eye. In the heavy stillness of the night, two figures moved with purpose. Cloaked in shadow and armed with steel. Simeon and Levi, sons of Jacob, approached with swords in hand, their faces set in grim determination. 00:18:41 Speaker 3: Are you ready, Levi? Ready? Brother? Remember no mercy, only judgment. 00:18:51 Speaker 1: There would be no parley, no chance for bargains or pleas the time for words had long passed. With the ferocity born of righteous wrath, the brothers stormed the palace One by one. They burst open doors, their swords flashing in the light, finding the throats of Haymo's men with ruthless precision. Some tried to flee, but their steps were crippled by the wounds inflicted days before. It had all been planned, cripple the men first, make them weak, then strike when they could barely stand. Simeon and Levi moved like wolves in the fold, their swords seeming a song of vengeance. 00:19:31 Speaker 3: They left a trail of blood. 00:19:32 Speaker 1: In their wake, crimson pools staining the stone floors. Simeon kicked open the door to Haley's chamber, where the old man stirred his eyes wide with fear. 00:19:43 Speaker 3: What is the meaning of this? 00:19:45 Speaker 7: I'm a simple man, Haymour. I don't need to prep you with some speech about honor. You wouldn't understand anyway. 00:19:54 Speaker 1: Prepared to die, Simeon slashed Haymo's throat or grasped at his neck, desperately trying to scream. 00:20:03 Speaker 3: He couldn't. He keeled over in his bed and died just one left. 00:20:11 Speaker 1: They did not burst through Shechem's door as they had the others. Instead, they opened it quietly, stepping inside, as if they had all the time in the world. Dinah lay beside Shechem, her presence a silent witness to what was to come. Shehem's eyes widened at the sight of the brothers. Drenched in the blood of his kin. He tried to rise, but Paine glanced through him, forcing him back on to the bed. 00:20:39 Speaker 8: What on earth is going on out there? What have you done? 00:20:42 Speaker 1: Levi moved to Dinah's side, taking her hand and leading her from the room with a gentle touch that belied the violence of the night. Simeon remained, his gaze fixed on Shekhem with a cold intensity. He tapped his sword on the stone floor and slowly approached. 00:21:00 Speaker 7: We Hebrews aren't perfect. Follow my father around for a day and you'll realize that we aren't perfectly upright men, But we do have honor. That's something that seems so foreign to you Canaanites. 00:21:16 Speaker 8: Is this about your sister? I paid you handsomely for. 00:21:19 Speaker 12: Her, Oh, dear Shechem, you haven't paid nearly what you owe. Dinah told me what you did to her. She told me what you did and how you did it, and where you did it. 00:21:38 Speaker 7: The price for that is more than some gold or land. 00:21:44 Speaker 8: Name your price and I will pay it. 00:21:47 Speaker 7: I'm glad you asked. 00:21:49 Speaker 1: Simeon's voice was almost gentle as he placed the tip of his sword against Shechem's chest. 00:21:55 Speaker 7: The price is your life. 00:21:58 Speaker 1: He drove the black deep, the iron cut him from flesh and burn. Shekam gasped, choking on blood, his eyes darting to the door, where Dinah stood with Levi watching. The prince's breath hitched, drowned in the blood that filled his lungs, and then he was still. When it was done, the brothers took all that remained, the wealth, the children, the women, all that was in the houses. They captured and carried away. Mercy was a word that held no meaning for them. As dawn broke over the plains, Simeon and Levi returned with Dinah, blood still wet on their faces and tunics. Jacob was waiting for them, his face a storm of fury and fear. 00:22:46 Speaker 2: Foolish boys, what have you done? 00:22:48 Speaker 3: What you should have done? We gave Shechem and his entire household what they deserved. 00:22:56 Speaker 2: Idiots, do you have any idea what trouble you've called? You've made us a stink to the Canaanites and Perizites. 00:23:04 Speaker 3: They outnumber us ten to one. 00:23:06 Speaker 2: What will we do if they decide to retaliate? 00:23:09 Speaker 1: Huh? 00:23:10 Speaker 7: And what should we have done? Father? 00:23:11 Speaker 2: Tell me refrain from being stupid. But it seems it was too hot a task for you. 00:23:17 Speaker 7: So you would have had Dinah shipped off like a mayor to that monster. You would have had her ravaged day and night in the chambers of that scoundrel, just so you wouldn't have to stir the pot. You're despicable and a. 00:23:33 Speaker 2: Coward, mind yo tongue, Simeon. 00:23:36 Speaker 1: As you wish, Father Jacob stood alone, fists clenched, teeth, grinding. A storm of emotions wared within him. Shame at his son's greatest sense of honor, terror at the prospect of the city's vengeance, guilt for bringing his family into this place of doom instead of leading them straight to Bethel. He was a man between the duty of a father and the fear of a leader, and in that moment, the weight of both threatened to crush him. This Prey dot Com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger, and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Leshinsky. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. You can hear more Prey dot Com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed the Chow and people, please rate and leave a review.