בראשית, פרק ל״ד, פסוק כ״ט

Following the killing of the men of Shechem, Jacob's sons treat the city as a conquered territory, claiming abundant spoils and taking captives [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The spoils of war are divided into distinct categories. The wealth claimed by the brothers consists primarily of the city's money and property [רש״י, ביאור יש״ר]. The generally accepted view is that this includes silver, gold, and precious stones [רד״ק], though this fortune may also encompass the city's male and female slaves [העמק דבר]. Alongside the material wealth, the brothers take the young children captive [ביאור שטיינזלץ], which some interpret specifically as the young girls [קונטרס חיבה יתירה].

A clear distinction is made between the different methods of taking the spoils. The act of capturing applies strictly to human lives—the women and children—while plundering refers exclusively to the seizure of money and physical property [ביאור יש״ר]. Because Jacob's sons did not originally enter the city with the intention to loot, they only kept a portion of the spoils for themselves. The remaining wealth was abandoned, allowing others to come and take it [העמק דבר].

The final category of spoils involves items found indoors. This refers to movable property [רד״ק] and various household goods that were not needed for immediate use or consumption [העמק דבר]. There is a discussion regarding why the location of these items is described in the singular rather than referring to multiple houses. Some explain that it simply points to the private home of each fallen individual [ביאור יש״ר]. Conversely, other commentators suggest that the singular form highlights one specific, central residence of great importance—either the home of Hamor or the home of Shechem [אבן עזרא, מחוקקי יהודה, יהל אור].