Shechem's position is indicated in the Hebrew Bible: it lay north of Bethel and Shiloh, on the high road going from Jerusalem to the northern districts (Judges xxi, 19), at a short distance from Michmethath (Joshua 17:7) and of Dothain (Genesis 37:12-17); it was in the hill-country of Ephraim (Joshua 20:7; 21:21; 1 Kings 12:25; 1 Chronicles 6:67; 7:28), immediately below Mount Gerizim . What made the difference? Wayne earned his masters and doctoral degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary and served in the pastorate for 14 years before also serving 12 years in leadershi More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. Ritter makes Medinet Gai answer to Ai. After various vicissitudes it fell into the Moslems' hands in A.D. 1187, and has continued so ever since. His brothers, filled with hatred, sold Joseph to some Ishmaelite traders who, coming through the Dothan pass, were headed for Egypt along the Via Maris. (Enlarge) (PDF for Print) (Freely Distributed for Personal or Church use). Jacob had other daughters, whose names are not mentioned. During the time of the divided kingdom of Israel, Shechem was the capital of the northern kingdom for a while (1 Kings 12:1). At the close of the fourteen years of service, Jacob desired to return to his parents, but at the entreaty of Laban he tarried yet six years with him, tending his flocks (31:41). Jacob arrives at Shechem in c.1691BC (see Genesis 12:6-7) where he buys some land for a tomb from the sons of Hamor and sets up an altar called El Elohe Yisrael (Hebrew, meaning 'God, the God of Israel' or 'God, the God of Jacob'). Be it a strategic military position, an abundant water supply, or a convenient traveling location, geography determines, by in large, where historical events occur. The Holy Land Satellite Atlas, Vol. Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because he was born to him in his old age. "The mount of the Lord" (Genesis 22:14) means almost always Mount Zion. Jacob's Burial. A descendant of Manasseh ( Numbers 26:31; Joshua 17:2). He then set out with his family and property "to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan" (Gen. 31). 1 Kings 12:25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and lived in it; and he went out from there, and built Penuel. Some contend that Mount Gerizim is meant, but most probably we are to regard this as one of the hills of Jerusalem. Remember how Jacob put away his idols in this spot? 6:67). Jacob and his mother deceived his father Isaac into blessing Jacob and he fled eastward. That is a pretty humble beginning. As Christians, we should be the most humble of all people, especia From Mount Ebal, they shouted the curses if they disobeyed the law, and from Mount Gerizim, they shouted the blessings if they obeyed. And the people answered and said, Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; for the LORD our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and who did these great signs in our sight and preserved us through all the way in which we went and among all the peoples through whose midst we passed. These have come so that your faith. Third son of Kohath; younger brother of Amram, father of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 6:18). Where the easiest ground to travel lies, there also a wayfarer walksand so a highway begins. Along this line runs the great road which from time immemorial has formed the easiest and the quickest means of communication between the East of the Jordan and the sea. 7:8). God confirmed the covenant he had first made with Abraham in Harran, regarding the possession of the land of Canaan. Shechem is also where Abraham lived, Jacob lived, Joshua rallied the nation of Israel together and gave the curses and blessings on Mt. Through the storms of life, O God, you are with your people in the person of Jesus your Son. The Days of the Monarchy: David, when a fugitive, received kindness from the people of this city (1 Sam 30:31); here Abner was treacherously slain by Joab at the gate (2 Sam 3:27), and the sons of Rimmon, after their hands and feet had been cut off, were hanged "beside the pool" (2 Sam 4:12). Along the way he saw in a dream a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending which proved to be a type of Jesus. Abdon is read in many manuscriptsHebron in Hitchcock's Bible Names society; friendshipHebron in Naves Topical Bible 1. 381-385. Hebron. 2. From Dan to Beersheba, a distance of about 144 miles (Judg. The first European who was permitted to enter this mosque was the Prince of Wales in 1862. After settling in Hebron, Jacob's sons (minus Joseph) traveled north to herd their flocks in Shechem. Bible Book: Genesis. In the neighboring minaret is a stone whereon the Ten Commandments are engraved in Samaritan characters. That which was promised he would have received in some good way; but Jacob and his mother, distrusting God's promise, sought the promised blessing in a wrong way, and received with it trouble and sorrow. Filmed on location at the very place Jesus met with the Samaritan woman in Sychar (Shechem). the pestilence. 8:17-19); and (4) the promise of the Seed in which all nations of the earth were to be blessed (Gen. 22:18). This location is quite a distance from Seir, in Edom, which is where Jacob's twin brother, Esau, currently lives (Genesis 32:3). Egypt. 2. In the place where water gushes from the ground, there also a man drives his tent stakeand so lays the foundation of a city. Our collection of maps are simple and they are free. Jotham's parable was spoken from the cliff of Gerizim overhanging the town (Judges 9:7). Jacob arose and returned to Bethel where he would renew his vow to the Lord and he built an altar at Bethel and worshiped God (Gen. 35:1-15). When Abram entered Canaan he formed his second encampment between Bethel and Hai (Gen. 12:8); and on his return from Egypt he came back to it, and again "called upon the name of the Lord" (13:4). Judges 9:6 All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together, and all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem. Islam sees Jacob (Ya'qub) as a Prophet of Islam and Muslims believe that he preached the same monotheistic faith as his forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael. Ebal with half the tribes on each of the two mountain sides. State/Province level distance calculator: Then Jacob came to Peniel where he wrestled with God (Genesis 31:22-32:31). Jud 20:18,26,31; 21:2 Authorized Version, "house of God." 67, 113, 98 and 4). Hebrew). This is important because the Bible says Jacob bought land from Shechem and lived at that place for a long time (Genesis 33 . Rasmussem, Carl G. Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible. 21:17); (3) the priestly office in the family (Num. In verses 2-11, Joseph's youth and his dreams: At 17 years old, Joseph was a shepherd working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. More altars, besides the original one were erected. We should not think that because Joshua speaks of idols, and because we do not have wooden statues in our culture, that this text does not apply. 11. The children were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, daughter Dinah, Joseph, and Benjamin. Here Absalom set up the standard of revolt. This was fulfilled at the time of the conquest of Canaan under Joshua (Joshua 8:34). In later times it was the seat of a bishopric; the names of five occupants of the see are known.2. It is picturesquely situated in a narrow valley running from N. to S. (probably that of Eshcol, whence the spies got the great cluster of grapes, Numbers 13:23), surrounded by rocky hills, still famed for fine grapes. 2. This location, in the middle of the nation, provided the most important crossroads in central Israel. Joshua 24:25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. Find the travel options that best suit you. . Abraham, now 75 years old, leaves Haran and takes the family to the land of Canaan (the land of promise . Hither the ark was brought from Gilgal (Jdg 2:1, Septuagint). Joshua 21:21 They gave them Shechem with its suburbs in the hill country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Gezer with its suburbs. To this second occasion of God's speaking with Jacob at Bethel, Hosea (12:4,5) makes reference. His history is related in the latter half of the book of Genesis. Jacob purchased a parcel of land here in Shechem and actually made for himself a dwelling place in the land of Canaan (Gen. 33:18-20). Then he erected there an altar, and called it El-Elohe . The well dug by Abraham and secured to him by oath had been covered and lost. Jacob purchased a parcel of land here in Shechem and actually made for himself a dwelling place in the land of Canaan (Gen. 33:18-20). To the East of the city Jacob pitched his tent in a "parcel of ground" which he had bought from Hamor, Shechem's father (Genesis 33:19). A city of the territory of the tribe of Asher Jos 19:28 -2. Here the ark of the covenant was kept for a long time under the care of Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron (20:26-28). to his uncle Laban's home where he married and gave birth to many children. The Canaanite was then in the land. Although Laban proved to be more deceitful than Jacob, God was with Jacob and blessed him greatly. 1Sa 7:16 Here Jeroboab placed one of the two calves of gold. I think that is the mistake made when the plaques quote this verse. But Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, escaped by hiding. Judges 9:28 Gaal the son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? The road was thus forced to pass through the city located in the valley between these two mountains. 1:26). Abraham was born in Ur of the Chaldees when his father, Terah, was 130 years old. 3 Even after the conquest, the wadi functioned as the border between Benjamin and Ephraim (Jos 18:12-13). But when they cried out to the LORD, He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them and covered them; and your own eyes saw what I did in Egypt. This accounts for a school of prophets of Jehovah being there in Elijah's time (2 Kings 2:2-3). Judges 9:57 and all the wickedness of the men of Shechem did God requite on their heads: and on them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal. It was then the seat of Canaanite idolatry, the temple of Baal-berith being here (Judges 9:4, 46). But the Torah continues by telling us that Joseph's "brothers went - to pasture their father's flock in Shechem" (Genesis 37:12), which was why "[Jacob] sent [Joseph] from the valley . 1. The family of Hebronites sprang from him. And he bought the piece of land where he had pitched his tent, from the hand of the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of money. Ironically, this idolatrous center was just south of Shechem, where their forefathers and Joshua made the covenant to worship God alone (1 Kings 12:25-33). Times of Joshua and Judges: The spies visited Hebron and near there cut the cluster of grapes (Nu 13:22 f). It lay South of Shiloh (Jdg 21:19). 4. Again Jacob journeyed southward, and at Bethlehem Rachel gave birth to Benjamin, but she died in giving childbirth and was buried there (Gen. 35:16-20). Those three verses included God's call to Abram and the covenantal promises that God gave to Abram Remember that God's call was to leave the world that . After Abram's father Terah died in Haran, God appeared to him again with the same calling: "Go unto the land I will show you.". The crossroads Shechem offered led in three directions. Laban was angry when he heard that Jacob had set out on his journey, and pursued after him, overtaking him in seven days. (2.) HOHAM (which see), king of Hebron, was one of the five kings defeated by Joshua at Beth-horon and slain at Makkedah (Josh 10:3 f). For a spiritual lesson from Shechems history, we look back at Joshuas challenge to the nation in Joshua 24. Archaeology and Old Testament Study. He was born with Esau, probably at the well of Lahai-roi, about B.C. The other five further off. According to the first, the well was dug by Abraham, and the name given to Judah, Jos 15:28 and then to Simeon, Jos 19:2; 1Ch 4:28 In the often-quoted "from Dan even unto Beersheba," Jud 20:1 it represents the southern boundary of Canaan, as Dan the northern. Modern Shechem:The modern town contains about 20,000 inhabitants, the great body of them being Moslems. Judges 9:26 Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers, and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him. When Judah returned from exile to the southern portion of the nation, the Samaritans requested to help rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Cleave, Richard. Jeroboam chose Shechem as the capital for the Northern Kingdom, perhaps because of the significant history there for Ephraim. According to Josh 15:13 it was so called after Arba, the father of Anak. 1. He then set up another stone in Shechem, saying: Behold, this stone shall be for a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us; thus it shall be for a witness against you, lest you deny your God (Josh. His dealing with Esau, however, showed much mean selfishness and cunning (Gen. 25:29-34). From Ur, across the Fertile Crescent and down into Canaan, the Bible mentions Shechem as the first city to which Abram came ( Gen. 12:6 ). Like his father, he was of a quiet and gentle disposition, and when he grew up followed the life of a shepherd, while his brother Esau became an enterprising hunter. Joshua does not just remind them of Israels history but also of Gods grace in Israels history. By the time Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at Jacobs well, near Shechem, the racial hatred between Jews and Samaritans was paramount. "Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of Yahweh, the Everlasting God" Gen (21:33). ABRAHAM'S EARLY LIFE. In one part of the modern city is a great mosque, which is built over the grave of Machpelah. And David made Abner and the men that [were] with him a feast.Joshua 11:21 - And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.Joshua 10:23 - And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, [and] the king of Eglon.2 Samuel 2:1 - And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? Near Hebron was the cave of Machpelah, where he and Sarah were buried. His mother's name also [was] Zibiah of Beersheba.Amos 8:14 - They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again.1 Chronicles 21:2 - And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know [it].Genesis 21:14 - And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave [it] unto Hagar, putting [it] on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.2 Kings 12:1 - In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. 2. On the return from Babylon some of the children of Judah dwelt in Kirjath Arba (Nehemiah 11:25). Mahanaim. DISTANCE: It was a long and difficult journey of more than fourhundred miles (about 600km) from Canaan (Bethel) to Haran. 24:1). Samaria became significant in Shechems history because the people who later worshipped on Mount Gerizim came to be known as Samaritans (named after the capital Omri had chosen). 2. There are at present on the spot two principal wells and five smaller ones. Abraham From Haran to Canaan. Biblical History Patriarchal times. (1.) 02) In straight lines from Haran to Carchemesh, to Aleppo, to Hamath, to Damascus, to Shechem it is about 426 miles (686 Km). (Ant., XIII, ix, 1; BJ, I, ii, 6). Hebron. The city, near the place, then bore the Canaanite name Luz. Judges 8:31 His concubine who was in Shechem, she also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech. A town in the south part of Judah, named in Jos 12:16 and 1Sam 30:27 In Jos 15:30; 19:4; 1Ch 4:29,30 the place appears under the name of CHESIL, BETHUL and BETHUEL. Shechem, a son of Hamor the Hivite. Later a troubling situation came about, the slaughter of the Shechemites by Jacob's sons, and this forced Jacob to move southward (Gen. 34:1-30) 9. The war of conquest being done, Joseph's bones were buried in the parcel of ground which Jacob had bought, and which fell to the lot of Joseph's descendants (24:33). The Bible says that Shechem was a Hivite city and Hamor was chief. 5. saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,Jeremiah 46:28 - Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I [am] with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.Ezekiel 20:5 - And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I [am] the LORD your God;Genesis 27:46 - And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these [which are] of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?Isaiah 60:16 - Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.Genesis 30:31 - And he said, What shall I give thee? When All Seems Lost/Broken Relationships. Ultimately, as the road passed through the Jabbok Valley, it reached the Transjordanian Highway. Mount Moriah in Easton's Bible Dictionary the chosen of Jehovah. An unnamed stranger directs Joseph to Dothan, about 15 . Of course, from a historian's point of view, it is more likely that Abraham did not really exist. The tribes were divided into two groups, each standing in front of one . (1) According to Genesis 49: 29-32; 50:13 Jacob was buried in the cave of Machpelah near Hebron which Abraham had bought from Ephron the Hittite (Gn. Shiloh was the religious and military capital of Israel during the times of the Judges, and the tabernacle resided here for 369 years. (Jacob did not obtain the blessing because of his deceit, but in spite of it. Hither he had come after his meeting with Esau (Genesis 33:18). Rousseau, John J. and Rami Arav. Here the name is ascribed to the Hebrew root shabha`, "to swear," but this same root is connected with the idea of seven, seven victims being offered and to take an oath, meaning "to come under the influence of seven."