📖 Biblical Definition
A central city in the hill country of Ephraim, situated in the pass between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. Abraham built his first Canaanite altar here (Gen 12:6-7); Jacob bought a field here and dug a well (Gen 33:18-20); Joseph was buried here (Josh 24:32); Joshua renewed the covenant with Israel here, with blessings recited from Gerizim and curses from Ebal (Josh 24); and Christ met the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in Sychar, just outside Shechem (John 4).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
SHECHEM, n.
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A scriptural proper name; an ancient central city of Palestine.
📖 Key Scripture
Genesis 12:6 — "And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh."
Joshua 24:25 — "So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem."
John 4:5 — "Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph."
1 Kings 12:1 — "Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Shechem hosted Abraham's first altar and Christ's longest recorded conversation.
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Shechem is the geography of covenant in Scripture. Abraham's first altar in Canaan was built here. Joshua led the covenant-renewal ceremony here at the end of his life. Rehoboam came here to be made king and lost the kingdom by his arrogance. Most strikingly, Christ chose Sychar (just outside Shechem) for His longest recorded one-on-one conversation, with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well.
The Lord chose to disclose Himself as Messiah to a Samaritan woman of five husbands at Shechem — the same place where Israel had renewed the covenant with Joshua. Covenant geography becomes mission geography. The well that watered Jacob's flocks watered the woman's soul. Drink at Sychar; the well is still flowing.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew/Greek roots below.
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H7927 — Shekem — Shechem; shoulder
Usage
"Shechem hosted Abraham's first altar and Christ's longest recorded conversation."
"Covenant geography becomes mission geography; the well watered both flocks and souls."
"Drink at Sychar; the well is still flowing."