Genesis 49:5

NETBible

Simeon and Levi are brothers, weapons of violence are their knives! 1 

NIV ©

"Simeon and Levi are brothers—their swords are weapons of violence.

NASB ©

"Simeon and Levi are brothers; Their swords are implements of violence.

NLT ©

"Simeon and Levi are two of a kind––men of violence.

MSG ©

Simeon and Levi are two of a kind, ready to fight at the drop of a hat.

BBE ©

Simeon and Levi are brothers; deceit and force are their secret designs.

NRSV ©

Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords.

NKJV ©

"Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place.

KJV
Simeon
<08095>
and Levi
<03878>
[are] brethren
<0251>_;
instruments
<03627>
of cruelty
<02555>
[are in] their habitations
<04380>_.
{instruments...: or, their swords are weapons of violence}
NASB ©
"Simeon
<8095>
and Levi
<3878>
are brothers
<251>
; Their swords
<4380>
are implements
<3627>
of violence
<2555>
.
LXXM
sumewn
<4826> 
N-PRI
kai
<2532> 
CONJ
leui
<3017> 
N-PRI
adelfoi
<80> 
N-NPM
sunetelesan
<4931> 
V-AAI-3P
adikian
<93> 
N-ASF
ex
<1537> 
PREP
airesewv
<139> 
N-GSF
autwn
<846> 
D-GPM
NET [draft] ITL
Simeon
<08095>
and Levi
<03878>
are brothers
<0251>
, weapons
<03627>
of violence
<02555>
are their knives
<04380>
!
HEBREW
Mhytrkm
<04380>
omx
<02555>
ylk
<03627>
Myxa
<0251>
ywlw
<03878>
Nwems (49:5)
<08095>
NETBible

Simeon and Levi are brothers, weapons of violence are their knives! 1 

NET Notes

1 tn The meaning of the Hebrew word מְכֵרָה (mÿkherah) is uncertain. It has been rendered (1) “habitations”; (2) “merchandise”; (3) “counsels”; (4) “swords”; (5) “wedding feasts.” If it is from the verb כָּרַת (karat) and formed after noun patterns for instruments and tools (maqtil, miqtil form), then it would refer to “knives.” Since the verb is used in Exod 4:25 for circumcision, the idea would be “their circumcision knives,” an allusion to the events of Gen 34 (see M. J. Dahood, “‘MKRTYHM’ in Genesis 49,5,” CBQ 23 [1961]: 54-56). Another explanation also connects the word to the events of Gen 34 as a reference to the intended “wedding feast” for Dinah which could take place only after the men of Shechem were circumcised (see D. W. Young, “A Ghost Word in the Testament of Jacob (Gen 49:5)?” JBL 100 [1981]: 335-422).