Sun streaming through the window I had neglected to cover awoke me early. Stretching, I slowly arose and advanced to the window. The town was beginning to stir as women packed the morning meal for the herders to take with them to the pastures.

Sounds of laughter mixed with curses arose from the market where traders were putting up their booths and arranging their wares. I could see movement in the camp beyond the city gates and knew that today Mama would not have a daughter to assist in the grinding of the grain. Outside I heard footsteps ascending the stairs and crossing the roof. Before Sheerah could knock, I opened the door smiling my welcome.

Embracing me she enthused, "I wanted so to come welcome you last night when I heard the news of the upcoming wedding. Mama wouldn't hear of it, telling me, 'Tomorrow will come soon enough, Sheerah.'"

Laughing at her mimicry, I said, "Well, tomorrow is here and it's a beautiful day. How can I help my almost‑sister?"

Sheerah led me downstairs explaining the layout of the house. Each family member had a small sleeping chamber similar to Shem's. The other rooms surrounding the courtyard housed the families of the servants, one family per room. At the back of the courtyard were two larger rooms connected by an arching doorway. In the smaller of the rooms, the cooking was done. The larger was the family winter entertaining and dining area. In the summer the meals were usually taken in the courtyard and guests were often entertained there or on the roof.

We entered the kitchen where we obtained the large bowls used to mix bread. Sheerah explained that they had their grain ground at the village mill, freeing them from the drudgery of grinding grain. Usually she began her day by fetching water from the well. Because of the circumcisions to take place today, she had drawn water the previous evening ensuring enough water for the healer's use. Today we would start by mixing the dough. We took our bowls into the courtyard where we could take advantage of the coolness of the early hours.

Sheerah kept having to stop her work to introduce me to servants. I'm sure they all found some reason to pass our work area so they could see firsthand the young woman who had caused such an uproar. Sheerah always introduced me as her friend Dinah and Shem's betrothed. It was comforting to hear the emphasis on our friendship, but strange to be called someone's betrothed.

The children were not as discreet as their elders. Sheerah's young sister Hurriya stood in front of me with hands on hips and demanded, "Are you the one who is making Shem sick? Why don't you go home so he will play games with me and tell me stories again."

Embarrassed, Sheerah began to scold, but I interposed, "It's okay, Sheerah." Then turning to the little girl, I said, "I don't want you to think of me as someone who has taken away your brother's love. He still loves you and will soon have time to spend with you again. Until he does, perhaps I could tell you a story while I work. I probably know some stories your brother hasn't told you; but first, why don't you tell me something. How did Shechem come to be called Shem?"

Thrilled that she knew something I didn't, she began to relate how as a baby Sheerah had trouble pronouncing Shechem's name. Following her story, I told her one of my family favorites. As I talked other children ventured closer and soon there was a crowd of children sitting at our feet.

The entrance of the healer did not disturb the children's rapt attention, but Sheerah and I exchanged knowing glances. Story time continued until we had completed the kneading of the dough. The children then dispersed to receive their morning meal. Sheerah and I ate too, but all of our attention was focused on the closed doors of her brothers' and father's chambers.

When the healer departed, Sheerah and I went to see if her mother thought our nursing services would be needed. We found Donatiya sitting on the edge of her couch, her pallor alarming.

Rushing to her mother's side, Sheerah said, "I should have come to you when the healer arrived. Can I help in some way, some water for you perhaps?"

Focusing her eyes for the first time on Sheerah, Donatiya responded, "No, I'm fine, really. It's just that I have never seen your father in such pain. Even when he was wounded by the bear, he was calm, unwilling to alarm me." Waving her hands in a helpless gesture, she continued, "But this is different. He still does not cry out, but when I entered after the healer finished, his eyes were wild with pain. It took four servants to hold him during the circumcision."

Shaking herself as though to straighten her thoughts, she concluded, "I should not encumber you girls with such gloomy thoughts. The pain will pass and the men's strength will return. The healer said the incision might become infected causing fever and delirium. The first three days are the most crucial. Afterwards the healing process should take over causing their bodies to slowly mend. Today you should prepare extra bread and haul reserve water supplies. Your duties as nursemaid may interfere with routine tasks after today." Smiling wanly in my direction she stated, "I am sorry that I have neglected to welcome you properly, Dinah. We will have opportunity to become better acquainted once the men are recovering."

Thus dismissed, Sheerah and I departed to do as Donatiya suggested. Knowing that our strength could be severely taxed in the next few days, Sheerah and I paused for part of the midday rest. Afterwards we left for the well while the heat was still heavy hoping to arrive before the other women. As we feared we were not the only ones with this idea. As we made our way through the strangely subdued town, we met other women talking in suppressed tones on their way to the well. Uneasy under the curious glances, I held my head high but avoided the eyes of the others. Sheerah talked incessantly trying to cover her own discomfort.

My unasked questions about the feelings of the town women were answered at the well. As we waited in line, a woman in front of us turned and spoke harshly. "Are you the one responsible for our men's agony? I hope the gods repay your family in kind."

Before I could respond another woman interjected, "Be quiet, Pigat. She is but a child caught in a trap set by our own Prince." Turning to Sheerah, she finished, "Perhaps the price your spoiled brother has had to pay for his folly will mature him. We all like him, but knew he would one day bring grief upon himself with his willful ways."

Following a murmur of approval by the rest of the women, the speaker turned back to her companion. As though some unspoken agreement had been reached, the women ceased their furtive glances in our direction.

I had been hesitant to accompany Sheerah to the well for fear of being recognized by someone from the camp. Fortunately at this hour no one from the camp was at the well. I doubted anyone would know me from this distance with my borrowed clothing. Instead I was able to cautiously view the camp which seemed strangely quiet.

The children no longer played behind the tent, perhaps banished to the central enclosure because of my misbehavior. The sides of the tents closest the town were down as though shielding the inhabitants from prying eyes. Unable to learn anything from my observations, I turned reluctantly back towards the town. I comforted myself with the knowledge that the hostility of the moment would end with the wedding celebration. Still I could not shake the foreboding that had been with me since the previous evening.

The next morning our worst fears materialized. All of the men were running fever and in great pain. A woman was assigned to attend each making certain he remained in bed. I took a container of water to Shem's room so I could keep fresh water nearby with which to cool his brow. My main tasks were to keep him as cool as possible and try to calm his restlessness. His wound would be anointed with oil twice a day, but this would be attended to by Donatiya.

When I undertook the job, Shem was lucid and made a weak attempt at humor. Telling him to save his strength, I offered to sing to him. When he assented, I began to sing the psalms of my people choosing the comforting ones telling of Yahweh's providence, love and guidance. When he dozed intermittently, I would rest near his bed.

Upon wakening he would inevitably request water and then weakly, "Sing." His favorite was a psalm enumerating Yahweh's attributes and comparing them to those of animals. I assumed his interest arose from his liking for the hunt. Once he even joined in the response, "Almighty God, author of all that exists, I praise you."

As the day wore on his temperature increased and his periods of wakefulness decreased. By evening he was delirious, tossing wildly calling my name and then mumbling over and over, "Almighty God, Almighty God." My singing had ceased to have any affect on his ranting.

As dusk fell, Donatiya entered with her oil and a goat hair rope wrapped in softer wool. Her fatigue was obvious as she said, "I want you to help me tie him to the couch. He may try to stop me from changing his bandage. We also have to get some rest tonight without having to worry about the men harming themselves in their delirium." Then apologetically, "Do you have the strength to assist with the bandage. The maid who usually helps is busy with the children."

Nodding I approached the couch and helped to tie Shem. Then I held supplies while Donatiya removed the bandage. I tried to keep my eyes averted but could not avoid seeing the oozing sores as I assisted. Even worse was the putrid smell of the wound. I managed to keep my composure until Donatiya left. Then I retreated to a corner where I retched into my bowl of water.

After cleaning up the mess I had made and putting a fresh cloth on Shem's brow, I joined the other women in the courtyard for the evening meal. We managed to choke down a small amount of food, but no one had much of an appetite. We each then collected a mat and an extra robe and retired to the rooms of our assigned charges. I made my pallet on the floor near Shem's bed and to my surprise went to sleep immediately. Whenever I was wakened by Shem's moans, I would rise and apply a soothing cloth to his brow. If unable to go back to sleep, I would sit and sing softly trying to soothe his restlessness.

On the third day, Shem's fever was less, a sign that his body was successfully fighting the infection. The same was true of all but Hamor. A raging fever still held him in its grips causing Donatiya to fear for his life. Early she sent Sheerah to search for the healer hoping his potions and incantations would remove Hamor"s fever. I remained with Shem coaxing him to swallow a little broth to help him regain his strength. It was thus that Simeon found us.

In our courtyard, the sounds of the city were muffled. For some time we had been aware of wails from outside and were uneasy fearing that the cries were those of mourners. Preoccupied with our ill, we could only hope that the sounds did not mean men had succumbed to infection. Suddenly the relative quiet of our abode was shattered. I turned from my ministrations to Shem in time to see Simeon stride into the room with sword drawn.

Standing with my body shielding Shem, I challenged Simeon, "What is the meaning of this? Why do you stride into the bedroom of my betrothed as though prepared for war?"

"Your betrothed," Simeon mocked. "He is a skulking mongrel unworthy of the hand of my sister. I have come to administer justice. You understand justice don't you Dinah; that is what your name means is it not?"

"But, Simeon," I began in disbelief.

He interrupted, "Enough of your nonsense, girl. Get out of my way.

"No, Simeon," I countered, "You will have to kill me to get to him."

"No I won't," he replied. Commanding his servant to seize me, Simeon turned his attention to Shem.

Protesting weakly as the servant grabbed me, Shem tried to rise. Pushing him back rudely with his sword, Simeon jeered, "Now you know how Dinah felt when you violated her, helpless and afraid." At this he raised his sword above Shem's chest.

I struggled with the servant who held me tightly from behind, one arm encircling my waist, the other clasped tightly over my mouth. I listened in horror as Shem said, "You dishonor your father by slaying in cold blood a man with whom you have shared hospitality, broken bread and made a covenant. I have kept my side of the bargain. Now you must keep yours"

Saying hoarsely, "For the honor of my sister," Simeon's arm began to plunge toward Shem's chest. Mercifully, I fainted before the sword pierced Shem, pinning him to his bed.

I have no recollection of Simeon throwing my inert body over his shoulder and carrying me through the mourning city to the encampment. Only later did I learn that Sheerah had watched mutely from a band of women and children who had been captured by the servants helping in the carnage. Levi, Simeon's accomplice in the plan, had personally killed Hamor. After they had left but before the pillagers came, Donatiya had swallowed a poison powder preferring to die with her husband and sons. Every man in Shechem had been slaughtered as they lay weakened by circumcision.

Simeon carried me directly to Mama's tent where he offered me to her as though I was a prize of battle. Bewildered Mama sank down beside my still body moaning, "Simeon, what have you done."

Replying, "Explanations are unnecessary, Mama. I have returned to you the daughter you had lost," Simeon turned and left the tent.

I remained in a deep sleep for a full day. By the time I regained consciousness, my brothers had looted the city taking everything of value. Women and children were brought as captives and put in hastily erected tents just behind the encampment. The herds and flocks of the Shechemites were mingled with ours.

When I awoke at first I thought I had suffered from a nightmare. Then I looked down recognizing the silk dress I had been given at the palace. In panic I cried for Mama. When she entered I read the truth in her eyes. My nightmare was reality. Sitting staring into the incongruous sunshine, I cried, "No! No! God, no!"