Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob …: verse 6 interrupts the action between the end of verse 5 and the beginning of Gen 34.7. Some English versions therefore begin verse 6 with a transition word like “Meanwhile.” Verse 6 really follows the thought of verse 4; and in some languages the sequence of events may require that it is placed immediately after Gen 34.4. See also the comments at Gen 34.7.

Verse 6 does not say that Hamor’s son Shechem accompanied his father, but we learn in verse 11 that Shechem is also present in these negotiations. If the discourse structure of the language requires the introduction of each speaker, it may be necessary to say in this verse that Shechem accompanied his father. For example, we may need to say “Hamor, the father of Shechem, took his son and went to speak with Jacob.” See the comment on Shechem in verse 11. Went out renders the same verb as in verse 1, where Dinah went in the other direction to visit the local women.

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 .