Topical Encyclopedia Shechem is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, known as the ancestor of the Shechemites. His account and the city named after him play crucial roles in the history of Israel. The name "Shechem" is associated with both a person and a place, and it holds considerable importance in the Old Testament.Genealogical Background Shechem is introduced in the genealogies of the Bible as a descendant of Hamor, the Hivite prince. The city of Shechem, which bears his name, is located in the hill country of Ephraim, and it becomes a central location in various biblical events. The Shechemites, therefore, are considered to be the descendants of Shechem, and they are often associated with the Hivites, a Canaanite tribe. Biblical Narrative The city of Shechem first appears in the biblical narrative in Genesis 12:6, where Abram (later Abraham) travels through the land and comes to the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. It is here that the LORD appears to Abram and promises to give the land to his descendants. This event marks Shechem as a place of divine promise and covenant. Shechem's most notable account involves Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah. In Genesis 34, Shechem, the son of Hamor, sees Dinah and defiles her. This act leads to a series of events where Dinah's brothers, Simeon and Levi, deceitfully agree to a covenant of circumcision with the men of Shechem, only to attack and kill them while they are incapacitated. This incident highlights the tensions between the Israelites and the Canaanite inhabitants of the land. Historical and Theological Significance Shechem's significance extends beyond the narrative of Dinah. It becomes a city of refuge and a Levitical city, as described in Joshua 21:21. The city is also the site of Joshua's covenant renewal ceremony, where he famously declares, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). This event underscores Shechem's role as a place of covenant and commitment to God. In the period of the Judges, Shechem is the setting for Abimelech's rise to power and his subsequent downfall, as recorded in Judges 9. This narrative illustrates the dangers of ambition and the consequences of turning away from God's guidance. Archaeological and Geographical Context Archaeologically, Shechem is identified with the modern site of Tell Balata, near the city of Nablus in the West Bank. Excavations have revealed significant remains from the Middle Bronze Age and later periods, confirming its historical importance as a major urban center in ancient Canaan. Geographically, Shechem is situated between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, which are significant in the biblical tradition. These mountains are the setting for the blessings and curses pronounced by the Israelites upon entering the Promised Land, as described in Deuteronomy 27 and Joshua 8. Legacy The legacy of Shechem and the Shechemites is complex, marked by both conflict and covenant. The city serves as a backdrop for key moments in Israel's history, reflecting the ongoing struggle between faithfulness to God and the influences of surrounding cultures. Through its association with patriarchal narratives, covenantal promises, and historical events, Shechem remains a symbol of both divine promise and human challenge in the biblical tradition. Nave's Topical Index Numbers 26:31And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites: Nave's Topical Index Joshua 17:2 Library The Census and the Journey of the Holy Family The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Resources Who was Dinah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Abimelech in the Book of Judges? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of Mount Gerizim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Shechem: Also Called Sychar, a City of Refuge in Mount Ephraim Shechem: Also Called Sychar, a City of Refuge in Mount Ephraim: Abimelech Made King At Shechem: Also Called Sychar, a City of Refuge in Mount Ephraim: Destroyed by Abimelech Shechem: Also Called Sychar, a City of Refuge in Mount Ephraim: Jesus Visits; Disciples Made In Shechem: Also Called Sychar, a City of Refuge in Mount Ephraim: Joshua Buried At Shechem: Also Called Sychar, a City of Refuge in Mount Ephraim: Men of, Killed by Ishmael Shechem: Also Called Sychar, a City of Refuge in Mount Ephraim: Rebuilt by Jeroboam Shechem: Also Called Sychar, a City of Refuge in Mount Ephraim: Rehoboam Crowned At Shechem: Ancestor of the Shechemites Shechem: Joshua Assembled the Tribes of Israel At Shechem: Son of Hamor; Seduces Jacob's Daughter; Killed by Jacob's Sons Shechem: Son of Hamor; Seduces Jacob's Daughter; Killed by Jacob's Sons: Called Sychem Shechem: The Flocks and Herds of Jacob Kept In Related Terms Treacherously (42 Occurrences) |
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