Who was Shechem in the Bible?

Shechem was a son of Gilead and the grandson of Manasseh, making him a great-grandson of Joseph. He is listed as the head of the Shechemite clan within the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 26:31, Joshua 17:2).

What is the significance of Shechem in the Bible?

Shechem's primary significance is genealogical, as he established a prominent clan within the half-tribe of Manasseh that settled west of the Jordan River. This clan received a territorial inheritance in the Promised Land during the division under Joshua (Joshua 17:2).

What key events involved Shechem in the Bible?

The Bible records no specific life events for Shechem himself. His importance comes from being named in the census of Israel's clans (Numbers 26:31) and in the list of families who received an allotment of land in Canaan (Joshua 17:2).

Shechem

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleSon

Shechem, a son of Gilead and forefather of a Manassite clan.

Shechem

Biography

Shechem son of Gilead was a descendant of Manasseh and the ancestor of the Shechemite clan within the tribe of Manasseh, listed in the census records of Numbers 26:31. As a son of Gilead and grandson of Machir son of Manasseh, Shechem occupied a position in the Manassite genealogical chain that entitled his descendants to a share of the tribal inheritance in Canaan. His name appears alongside those of his brothers, Iezer, Helek, Asriel, Hepher, and Shemida, as founders of recognized clans. The allotment of land to these Gileadite clans would later be addressed in Joshua 17, where the daughters of Zelophehad, descendants of another Gileadite branch, successfully petitioned for their father's inheritance.

Significance

Shechem son of Gilead represents the transmission of covenant inheritance through the tribe of Manasseh, demonstrating that God's promises to Abraham were mediated through specific family lines and clans. The careful genealogical recording of Manassite clans, including the Shechemites, ensured accountability in the distribution of the promised land and reflected the justice principle that each family would receive what was rightfully theirs according to divine allotment. The nearby story of Zelophehad's daughters in the same genealogical context further illustrates that God's provisions for inheritance were just and equitable even in complex family situations, a principle that the New Testament extends to all who are heirs of God through Christ.

Verse Appearances (2)

Numbers

Numbers 26:31

Josh

Josh 17:2

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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