Gerizim
“Possibly 'cut off' or 'rocky'”
Summary
A mountain in central Samaria designated as the mount of blessing, later becoming the sacred site of Samaritan worship.
☩Location and Description
Mount Gerizim rises to about 2,849 feet above sea level on the southern side of the valley in which ancient Shechem (modern Nablus) is situated. Directly opposite stands Mount Ebal, with the narrow valley between them. The mountain has a more gentle slope than Ebal and is more fertile, with springs and vegetation on its sides. Its position makes it a natural amphitheater for sound, enabling voices to carry across the valley.
☩The Mount of Blessing
Moses commanded that when Israel crossed the Jordan, six tribes were to stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, while six stood on Mount Ebal for the curse. This ceremony was carried out under Joshua, with the ark of the covenant and the Levites in the valley between, reading the blessings and curses of the law. The tribes of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin stood on Gerizim, representing blessing.
☩Jotham's Parable
After Abimelech murdered his seventy brothers and made himself king at Shechem, his youngest brother Jotham escaped and stood on Mount Gerizim to deliver his famous parable of the trees seeking a king. From this elevated position his voice carried to the people assembled below. He pronounced a curse upon Abimelech and the men of Shechem for their treachery, a curse that was ultimately fulfilled.
☩The Samaritan Sanctuary
After the Assyrian conquest and the mixed population that resulted in Samaria, Mount Gerizim became the sacred mountain of the Samaritans. They built a temple there, rivaling Jerusalem, which was later destroyed by John Hyrcanus around 128 BC. The Samaritan woman referenced this mountain in her conversation with Jesus, asking whether Jerusalem or 'this mountain' was the proper place of worship—a question Jesus answered by pointing to worship in spirit and truth.
Related Verses5 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Gerizim," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Gerizim," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.George Morrish, "Gerizim," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Gerizim," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).