21:1). It functioned as a base for worship (Abraham and Jacob) and as a base for political operations (Abimelech, Jeroboam I). Judges 21:19 They said, "Behold, there is a feast of Yahweh from year to year in Shiloh, which is on the north of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.". Joshua took Israel back to its roots, physically as well as historically, in a powerful object lesson to reinforce the nation’s ties to generations past and all God had done. The point here is that his physical grave is still known today, reinforcing and confirming the complete accuracy of the Bible. Gerizim and Mt. 2 In 1903, a group of German scholars under the direction of H. Tiersch examined Tell Balata and concluded it was ancient Shechem. 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 (Judges 9:6–7). The name Shechem is ascribed to two or three men and a location. Later the church historian Eusebius (c. 260 - c. 340 AD) and a pilgrim from Bordeaux (333 AD) placed it on the outskirts of Neapolis (modern Nablus) near Jacob’s Well. Some (e.g. Joshua 24:32 They buried the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, in Shechem, in the parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money. 1. Could he have been buried in the center of the original area known as Shechem? After a reign of three years Abimelech was rejected by the people. The revelation behind it is very deep. His brothers have gone to Shechem, the last place Jacob’s sons should be on account of their massacre of the city’s residents (33:18–34:31). Tom. Jacob purchased a parcel of ground and erected an altar here. Hosea 6:9 As gangs of robbers wait to ambush a man, so the company of priests murder in the way toward Shechem, committing shameful crimes. Thank you so much for reading Israel My Glory, and for your interest in and love for the Word of God. They were therefore removed by authority, and their place taken by the prickly pears mentioned above.W. Keep waxing stronger In God’s word. The copious springs which supply abundance of water rise at the base of Gerizim. Pop. Judges 9:39 Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech. Shechem was captured by John Hyrcanus in 132 B.C. Under Joshua it became both a Levitical city and a city of refuge. It was then the seat of Canaanite idolatry, the temple of Baal-berith being here (Judges 9:4, 46). on a different note, I was reading about the tribe of Benjamin and how they were destroyed. Eusebius, in Onomasticon, here identifies Shechem with Shalem; but see SHALEM. Historical:This place is first mentioned in connection with Abraham's journey from Haran. The name seems to occur in Travels of a Mohar (Max Muller, Asien u. Europa, 394), "Mountain of Sahama" probably referring to Ebal or Gerizim. David. Acts 7:16 and they were brought back to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver from the children of Hamor of Shechem. 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. Modern Shechem:The modern town contains about 20,000 inhabitants, the great body of them being Moslems. An important city in central Palestine, in the valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, 34 miles north of Jerusalem, and 7 miles southeast of Samaria. Ebal, approximately 40 miles (65 km.) north of Jerusalem. These shall stand upon Mount Gerizim to bless the people,…and these shall stand upon Mount Ebal to curse (Dt. Smith, DB, under the word) would identify it with Sychar of John 4:5; but see SYCHAR. Still farther to the East and near the base of Ebal is the traditional tomb of Joseph, a little white-domed building beside a luxuriant orchard. Mount Gerizim on the south side of the valley and Mount Ebal to the north played significant roles in a ceremony renewing Israel’s covenant with the Lord upon entering the Promised Land. Just goes go to show that to those who follow after GOD, even the smallest details matters! Ebal, approximately 40 miles (65 km.) And Jesus will someday sit on the Earthly Throne of His Earthly father David and rule for 1,000 years. Shechem—The City in the Valley. “Everything,” say some people whose voices grow stronger every day. Shechem stood in the valley between. From the patriarch Abraham to the exile of the Northern Kingdom, familiar and significant biblical events center around this city. 2 Chronicles 10:2 It happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it, (for he was in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of king Solomon), that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt. Gerizim (Sirach 50:26; Ant, XI, viii, 6; XII, i, 1; XIII, iii, 4). But when it comes to God’s work, the “odds” don’t matter. A city in Samaria (Gen. 33:18), called also Sichem (12:6), Sychem (Acts 7:16). The terraced slopes of the mountain rise steeply on the South. The Kohanim and the Levites, along with the Ark of the Covenant, stood in the valley in between. The treacherous conduct of Simeon and Levi forced him to leave it; but, before he departed for Bethel, he collected the false gods of his family and their ear-rings, and buried them under the oak which was by Shechem, perhaps the very same tree under which Abraham between 180 or … 24). Of course the the Tribe of Judah would ultimately be the tribe of King David, after Saul’s failures. Today the world calls it Nablus, a Palestinian Authority city in the so-called West Bank and destined to become Judenrein, “clean of Jews,” in a future Palestinian state. Ewing. Shechem [N] [E] [H] (back or shoulder). Sometimes the odds aren’t in our favor. In later times it was the seat of a bishopric; the names of five occupants of the see are known.2. 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. They became the inheritance of the children of Joseph. Come, and I will send you to them." Thank you, once again, for your interest in FOI and for reading Israel My Glory. . It was in the territory of Ephraim; it was made a city of refuge, and assigned to the Kohathite Levites (Joshua 20:7; Joshua 21:21). Ephraim, Ebal and Gerizim, guarding it on the North and South respectively. Thousands of years later, Apostle Paul mentioned in one of his epistles that he was from the tribe of Benjamin.. Again, amazing…just goes to show how GOD provides such accurate narrative and description through frail and fallible human beings to write Scriptures to such exactness! This day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God. 24:32). . in 1880 about 10,000. Shechem (back or shoulder) An important city in central Palestine, in the valley between mounts Ebal and Gerizim, 34 miles north of Jerusalem and 7 miles southeast of Samaria. 24:3) hundreds of years earlier and arriving in Canaan. Abimelech, whose mother was a native of the city, persuaded the men of Shechem to make him king (Judges 9:1-6), evidently seeking a certain consecration from association with "the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem." Its present name, Nablus, is a corruption of Neapolis, which succeeded the more ancient Shechem, and received its new name from Vespasian. Geography affects history. Then came Moses and the miraculous Exodus, which Joshua had experienced firsthand. In the neighboring minaret is a stone whereon the Ten Commandments are engraved in Samaritan characters. It is traversed by the carriage road leading to Jaffa and the sea. The ancient city may have lain somewhat farther East than the modern Nablus, in which the Roman name Neapolis survives. Tom Simcox is the Church Ministries training coordinator and a Bible teacher for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry and Word of Life Bible Institute. Thus Joshua brought them back to the very spot where God had warned them to obey or be chastened. Jeremiah 41:5 that there came men from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even eighty men, having their beards shaved and their clothes torn, and having cut themselves, with meal offerings and frankincense in their hand, to bring them to the house of Yahweh. and Zebul his officer? Later Jacob settled there upon his return to Canaan (Genesis 33:19) and bought the land from Hamor the Hivite, the father of a man named Shechem.This Shechem took a liking to Jacob's only daughter Dinah, the daughter of Leah, who was also the mother … I have been checking to see if the modern day Nablus (Biblical Shechem) has been experiencing any “problems of issues” since they built that mosque. The Mountains are Located Near Shechem Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal stand opposite each other, in what would have been the heart of Israel at the time of the Israelites ’ entry. Near the city the Law was promulgated (Deuteronomy 27:11 Joshua 8:33). Judges 19:1-21:25 contain the Biblical account of the Benjamite War. 1 Chronicles 6:67 They gave to them the cities of refuge, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim with its suburbs; Gezer also with its suburbs. It is 30 ms. n. of Jerusalem. DEEP in the heart of the land God chose for his people, nestled between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, lay the city of Shechem. Shechem and built a mosque over that site, have they been ” troubled” for it? “Shechem ” means back or shoulder An important city in central Palestine, in the valley between mounts Ebal and Gerizim, 34 miles north of Jerusalem and 7 miles southeast of Samaria. Judges 9:25 The men of Shechem set an ambush for him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech. T he name of this city first appears in Genesis 33:18 . It was here—nearly four thousand years ago—that Jehovah promised Abraham: “To your seed I am going to give this land.”—Genesis 12:6, 7. Judges 9:34 Abimelech rose up, and all the people who were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies. Tom Simcox thank you so very much this awesome teaching. north of Jerusalem. The border went along to the right hand, to the inhabitants of En Tappuah. Hi Terri, On the slope of the mountain beyond is the village of `Askar; see SYCHAR. Jerome (345-420 AD) repeated Eusebius’ location, but elsewhere made it clear that he doubted that Shechem was anything other than the predecessor of Neapolis. Gerizim and Mt. This article takes a fresh look at that amaz- ing victory and the powerful God who won it. Tanning and the manufacture of leather goods are also carried on. Genesis 37:12 His brothers went to feed their father's flock in Shechem. Site of excavated ruins of biblical Shechem—satellite view / The modern city of Nabulus is biblical Shechem. The capital of the Northern Kingdom was moved, however, first to Tirzah and then to Samaria, and Shechem declined in political importance. + An important city in central Palestine, in the valley between mounts Ebal and Gerizim, 34 miles north of Jerusalem and 7 miles southeast of Samaria. Historical Background . Thank you so much for reading IMg and for your very insightful question. Your email address will not be published. Joshua 24:1 Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God. The land promise to Abraham was restated here (Genesis 12:6-7). Backing up Joseph just happens to find someone who just happened to hear his brothers in Shechem, who, by the way, doesn’t choose to kill Joseph since he does belong to the family that killed all the men in Shechem in the not too distant past. Thus, ancient Shechem and its modern counterpart, Nablus, are in a very strategic location along the watershed road between Judah, the Jordan Valley, Transjordan, and the Galilee. 27:9, 12–13). Where the easiest ground to travel lies, there also a wayfarer walks—and so a highway begins. He reminded them of the unbelievable military victories God gave their forefathers and how God gave them cities they did not build and “vineyards and olive yards which ye planted not” (v. 13). Benjamin can claim one of the most significant Apostles – the Apostle Paul. Learn how your comment data is processed. Thanks! Joshua 21:21 - For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, [to be] a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs, The place where Joseph was buried Sure, that’s absolutely possible, it’s also possible that his grave was located outside the actual town that developed, as there are many graves that were originally located around the towns in that day. The ancient city of Shechem lies in the valley between the two. Hi Sherry, SICHEM, same as Shechem. Nablus also does have serious problems with lawlessness, according to what I’ve read, gunmen have taken over the streets which forces the population to remain in their homes and buildings for safety. 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). In Hebrew shechem means “shoulder,” an apt description of the town’s location in the narrow valley between Mt. Apparently there were Israelites in it after the captivity, some of whom on their way to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem met a tragic fate at the hands of Ishmael ben Nethaniah (Jeremiah 41:5). Its present name, Nablus , is a corruption of Neapolis, which succeeded the more ancient Shechem, and received its new name from Vespasian. Explore the reasons for such failure—both then and now. You are correct that Shechem was located in what would have been the Northern Kingdom of Israel’s territory. Jotham's parable was spoken from the cliff of Gerizim overhanging the town (Judges 9:7). Ebal is 3077 ft. and Gerizim 2849 ft. above the sea. Mt. ", Judges 9:3 His mother's brothers spoke of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, "He is our brother.". So he sent him out of the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. Under the oak in the neighboring sanctuary he set up the stone of witness (24:26). — Joshua 24:32 (KJV) It was also on a main east-west route that linked the coastal plain of Israel with the Jordan Valley. It was strategically located controllingmajor North-South and East-West roads, but lacked natural defenses and for thatreason required heavy fortification. 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. Chapter 21 declares how the rest of the tribes remained true to their oath, “Now the men of Israel had sworn an oath saying, “none of us shall give his daughter to Benjamin as a wife…” (Jud. The place was originally called Shechem, and it was the first spot where Abraham pitched his tent after entering Canaan. To the East of the city, in a recess at the base of Gerizim, is the sanctuary known as Rijal el-`Amud, literally, "men of the column" or "pillar," where some would locate the ancient "oak of Moreh" or "of the pillar." It was doubtless by this oak that Jacob, on his return from Paddan-aram, buried "the strange (the American Standard Revised Version "foreign") gods" (Genesis 35:4). The place is still the market for a wide district, both East and West of Jordan. At the oak of Moreh in the vicinity he reared his first altar to the Lord in Palestine (Genesis 12:6 f). I have a question about the location of Joseph’s bones…”And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.” Tom, Your email address will not be published. The Levites then proclaimed curses on those who performed various sins (such as idolatry) and blessings on those who obeyed the LORD. An important city in central Palestine, in the valley between mounts Ebal and Gerizim, 34 miles north of Jerusalem and 7 miles southeast of Samaria. Of course the mayor of this Palestinian city blames Israel, while the rank and file people blame the Palestinians. I’m a little confused about your wording. Today the spot is known in Hebrew as Kever Yosef, “Joseph’s Tomb.” It is a Jewish holy site and Yeshiva (Jewish school) that thousands of Jewish people visited each year. The entire area was experiencing a serious drop in rainfall annually. 21:12). Location and Physical Features:There is no doubt as to the situation of ancient Shechem. The remaining 200 Benjamite males were instructed to take wives from the maidens of Shiloh. Mount Gerizim sits directly opposite Mount Ebal with the biblical city of Shechem resting in the pass between the two elevations. 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). Genesis 35:4 They gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. That potential conflict spills over two generations later in Jacob’s day. It became the central city of the Samaritans, whose shrine was built on Mt. 1 Chronicles 7:28 Their possessions and habitations were Bethel and its towns, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer, with its towns; Shechem also and its towns, to Azzah and its towns; 2 Chronicles 10:1 Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. Since Palestine destroyed the site in And it was outside Shechem where the Jewish nation then buried the bones of the patriarch Joseph, within the boundaries of the land God had promised to the children of Israel, “in a plot of ground which Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for an hundred pieces of silver” (Josh. Genesis 33:18 Jacob came in peace to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Paddan Aram; and encamped before the city. On coins still extant it is called Flavia Neapolis. Judges 9:28 Gaal the son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? It is mentioned as lying to the West of Michmethath (el-Makhneh) on the boundary of Manasseh (Joshua 17:7). SHECHEM, a town in the valley between the mountains Ebal and Gerizim, now Nablous, and supposed to be 2200 ft. above the Mediterranean. Under the Romans it became Flavia Neapolis. she'-kem (shekhem, "shoulder"; Suchem, he Sikima, ta Sikima, etc. 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. To the rich pasture land near Shechem Joseph came to seek his brethren (Genesis 37:12). Judges 9:18 and you have risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, seventy persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother); Judges 9:20 but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.". It was initially called Sichem (Genesis 12:6) and was Abraham's first encampment in Canaan after he left Haran. Ancient Shechem lies at the east entrance of this valley, and modern Nablus stands in the narrow valley between the two mountains. But Shechem was once a very Jewish city; and it was no accident that in his farewell to his people, an aged Joshua gathered the Israelites there to beg them to follow God (Josh.
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