What does Genesis 34:19 mean?
Shechem's desire to marry Dinah, whom he had raped, is strong (Genesis 34:1–3). He is deeply in love with her, whatever that might mean to someone willing to be so brutal. For their part, Dinah's brothers are enraged at what has happened, but have revenge in mind (Genesis 34:13). Their response to Shechem's offer was something most people would consider outrageous: that all the men of the town be circumcised (Genesis 34:14–16).Both Shechem and his father, Hamor, react to the proposal with joy. This implies Shechem was used to getting what he wanted. Assaulting Dinah, of course, is one example. His demand that his father procure Dinah is another (Genesis 34:4). Making an excessive promise to buy her is yet another (Genesis 34:11–12). That attitude might be explained by this verse's comment that Shechem was the "most honored" of his family. In other words, he was the favorite, and expected that whatever he demanded would be granted.
From Shechem's perspective, getting the men in the city to be circumcised was just a matter of his considerable influence (Genesis 34:2). Both he and his father, it seems, are willing and able to make that happen. What they don't realize is that this is a trap, leading their city into a terrible revenge.