Shechem
Shechem is an ancient city mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, located in the region of Samaria in modern-day Israel. Known today as Tell Balatah. It appears across 45 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Shechem holds a unique position in biblical history as one of the most significant cities in the entire Old Testament narrative. Abram first stopped here upon entering Canaan, and at the oak of Moreh the LORD appeared to him, promising the land to his descendants — marking Shechem as the site of the first divine promise in the Promised Land (Genesis 12:6-7). Jacob later returned to Shechem, purchasing land and setting up an altar (Genesis 33:18-20). The city became infamous as the site of Dinah's violation and the subsequent massacre by Simeon and Levi (Genesis 34). After the Exodus, Joshua gathered all Israel at Shechem for a covenant renewal ceremony, pronouncing the blessings and curses of the Law from the nearby mountains Gerizim and Ebal (Joshua 8:30-35; 24:1-27). Joseph's bones were buried here (Joshua 24:32). Shechem later became the capital of the northern kingdom briefly under Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:25), and in the New Testament era the nearby well of Jacob became the scene of Jesus' profound conversation with the Samaritan woman (John 4:5-30).
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Modern Tell Balatah, located near Nablus in the West Bank, has been identified with ancient Shechem since the nineteenth century and confirmed by excavations conducted by Ernst Sellin and later by G. Ernest Wright in the 1950s-60s. The mound preserves remains spanning Middle Bronze Age through Iron Age II, including a massive mudbrick gateway, a large migdal-temple (fortress-temple) consistent with the "temple of Baal-Berith" mentioned in Judges 9, and evidence of destruction levels corresponding to biblical accounts. The site was occupied as early as 3500 BCE and reached its apex during the Middle Bronze Age. Shechem's location in the pass between Mounts Gerizim and Ebal made it a natural center for commerce and religious assembly.
Verse Appearances (45)
Judg
2Chr
Jer
Hos
Acts
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →