Simeon in rabbinic literature
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Allusions in rabbinic literature to the biblical character Simeon, son of Jacob, contain various expansions, elaborations and inferences beyond what is presented in the text of the Bible itself.
In the Rabbinic literature, Simeon's name is interpreted in a number of different ways. Genesis Rabbah takes it to mean "he who listens to the words of God".[1] The Midrash HaGadol, however, interprets it as "there is sin", and sees in the name an allusion to Zimri, the Simeonite prince who sinned with the Midianite woman.[2]
Incident in Shechem
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Genesis 34 describes how Simeon and Levi kill the people of Shechem. The Sefer haYashar expands on this narrative, and says that when Hamor asked Dinah's hand for his son Shechem, Simeon and Levi, to outwit him, replied that some delay was necessary in order to consult their grandfather Isaac about the matter. After Hamor had gone it was Simeon who advised his brothers to require all the men of Shechem to be circumcised, and by this means place them at their mercy.[3] The Sefer haYashar also has Simeon marrying his sister, Dinah.[4]
The Sefer haYashar also presents Simeon as having a particularly powerful voice, and says that once, in the brunt of a battle, when he shouted, the enemy fled in terror at the sound.
