Verse 8 follows the content of Gen 34.6. In verse 8 Hamor seeks to obtain Jacob’s permission for Shechem to marry Dinah, and in verses 9-10 Hamor expands his request by proposing a treaty with Jacob that will bring their two groups into closer relations.

Hamor spoke with them: some translations assume that Hamor is speaking only to Jacob’s sons. However, it is more likely that he is addressing Jacob and the sons, as is clear when Shechem speaks in verse 11.

The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter: this expression is similar in form and meaning to the idiom used in verse 3, meaning “My son is in love with your daughter.” Although your is plural, in some cases it will not be natural when addressing Jacob and the sons to say your [plural] daughter. In such situations it may be necessary to say both “[speaking to Jacob] your [singular] daughter” and “[speaking to the brothers] your [plural] sister,” so that it is clear is he addressing both the father and the brothers. Some translations avoid this problem by saying “this young woman” or “this girl.” We may also simply say “Dinah.”

I pray you give … marriage: this is literally “Please give [you plural] her to him [Shechem] for a wife.” Here again note that the Canaanite speaks politely but directly. There are no formalities or conversational exchanges leading up to the matter. In translation, however, it will be necessary to follow the usual way of introducing a discussion about arranging a marriage. In some languages, for instance, Hamor’s request will more naturally be framed as a question: “So I ask you, ‘Could they-two be married?’ ” or “Well, what do you think about letting them get married?”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .