Συχέμ

Shechem

Definition

Συχέμ (Shechem) is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name for a significant ancient city in the hill country of Ephraim in Canaan. In the New Testament, it refers specifically to the place where the patriarchs Abraham (Genesis 12:6) and Jacob (Genesis 33:18-20) had important encounters with God and built altars. The city later became a central location for the tribes of Israel, serving as a place of assembly and covenant renewal (Joshua 24:1). In the single New Testament reference (Acts 7:16), Stephen mentions it as the burial place for the patriarchs, highlighting its enduring importance in Israel's history.

Biblical Usage

Συχέμ is used only once in the New Testament, in Stephen's speech in Acts 7:16. Here, Stephen recounts Israel's history, stating that the patriarchs were buried in Shechem, which Abraham had purchased. This usage connects the New Testament narrative directly back to the patriarchal promises and the physical land of the covenant, grounding the early Christian message in Israel's foundational history.

Etymology

Συχέμ is a direct Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name שְׁכֶם (Shekem), meaning 'shoulder' or 'ridge.' This likely refers to the city's geographical location on the shoulder of Mount Ebal. The name entered Greek through the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament), where it was used to translate the Hebrew place name consistently.

Semantic Range

Shechem is theologically significant as a covenant location. It was where God first appeared to Abraham in Canaan (Genesis 12:6-7) and where Joshua later led Israel in renewing their covenant with God (Joshua 24). Its mention in Acts 7:16 by Stephen ties the early Christian community to the unbroken story of God's faithfulness to His promises from Abraham onward. Understanding this Greek name connects the New Testament audience to the tangible geography of God's redemptive history.

In the ancient Near East, Shechem was a major Canaanite city-state that later became a central Israelite religious and political center. It was located at a vital crossroads in the hill country, making it a strategic and commercially important city. For the biblical writers, its name evoked centuries of history—from patriarchal altars to tribal assemblies—making it a powerful symbol of Israel's claim to and life in the Promised Land.

There are no direct Greek synonyms for this proper place name. Other significant biblical locations are distinct, such as: Ἱεροσόλυμα (Hierosolyma, G2414) — Jerusalem, the later religious capital. Σιών (Siōn, G4622) — Zion, a poetic and prophetic name for Jerusalem and God's dwelling place.

Word Details

Scripture References