Shechem(sichem, sychar, sychem)
“Shoulder or ridge”
Summary
An ancient and strategically important city of central Palestine where Abraham first built an altar, Jacob settled, Joseph was buried, and Israel renewed its covenant with God.
☩The Patriarchal Period
Shechem was the first place where Abraham erected an altar after entering Canaan, receiving there the promise that his descendants would possess the land. Jacob returned from Paddan-aram to camp east of the city, purchasing a parcel of ground from Hamor. Here occurred the tragic incident of Dinah's defilement by Shechem, son of the local chief, and the terrible vengeance exacted by Simeon and Levi. Under the oak near Shechem, Jacob buried his household's foreign gods before journeying to Bethel.
☩Covenant Renewal Site
After conquering Canaan, Joshua gathered all Israel at Shechem to renew the covenant. He recounted God's faithfulness from Abraham through the conquest, then challenged Israel: 'Choose this day whom you will serve.' When the people affirmed their loyalty to the Lord, Joshua set up a great stone as witness under the oak in Shechem's sanctuary. The law was promulgated nearby, with blessings pronounced from Mount Gerizim and curses from Mount Ebal.
☩During the Judges and Monarchy
Shechem was designated a city of refuge and assigned to the Levites. After Gideon's death, his son Abimelech conspired with the men of Shechem, who made him king, though his brutal reign ended with the city's destruction when they rebelled. After Solomon's death, Rehoboam came to Shechem to be crowned, but his harsh response to the people's petition led to the kingdom's division. Jeroboam I briefly made Shechem his capital before moving to Tirzah.
☩Joseph's Burial
When Israel left Egypt, they carried Joseph's bones as he had made them swear to do. After the conquest, Joseph's remains were buried at Shechem in the plot Jacob had purchased, which became the inheritance of Joseph's descendants. This burial linked Israel's patriarchal past with their possession of the promised land, fulfilling the faith Joseph expressed when dying in Egypt. Stephen referenced this burial in his address to the Sanhedrin.
Related Verses62 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shechem," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Shechem," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Shechem," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).