Overview:
Shechem is a significant city and location in biblical history, situated in the hill country of Ephraim. It holds a prominent place in the narratives of the Old Testament, serving as a backdrop for key events and covenants. The city is associated with patriarchs, tribal inheritances, and pivotal moments in Israel's history.

Biblical Significance:

1. Abraham's Journey:
Shechem is first mentioned in the context of Abraham's journey to the Promised Land. Upon his arrival, Abraham built an altar to the Lord at the oak of Moreh in Shechem, marking it as a place of worship and divine promise. Genesis 12:6-7 states, "Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the oak of Moreh at Shechem. And the Canaanites were then in the land. Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, 'I will give this land to your offspring.' So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him."

2. Jacob's Return:
Jacob, Abraham's grandson, also had significant interactions with Shechem. After returning from Paddan-aram, Jacob purchased a plot of land near Shechem and erected an altar, calling it El-Elohe-Israel (Genesis 33:18-20). This act signified Jacob's acknowledgment of God's provision and protection.

3. Dinah and the Shechemites:
A darker episode in Shechem's history involves Dinah, Jacob's daughter. She was violated by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the Hivite prince of the land. This incident led to a violent retaliation by Dinah's brothers, Simeon and Levi, who deceived and slaughtered the men of Shechem (Genesis 34).

4. Joseph's Burial:
Shechem is also the final resting place of Joseph's bones. After the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their conquest of Canaan, Joseph's remains were buried at Shechem, in the plot of land Jacob had purchased (Joshua 24:32).

5. Joshua's Covenant Renewal:
The city served as a significant site for covenant renewal under Joshua's leadership. In Joshua 24, Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel at Shechem to reaffirm their commitment to the Lord. Joshua 24:25-26 records, "On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he established for them a statute and ordinance. And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God."

6. Division of the Kingdom:
Shechem played a role in the political history of Israel. After Solomon's death, Rehoboam went to Shechem to be crowned king. However, it was here that the ten northern tribes rejected Rehoboam's rule, leading to the division of the kingdom and the establishment of Jeroboam as king over Israel (1 Kings 12).

Geographical and Archaeological Context:
Shechem is located between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, in the modern-day West Bank. Its strategic position in a fertile valley made it an important city throughout various periods. Archaeological excavations have uncovered remains from different eras, confirming its long-standing significance.

Theological Themes:
Shechem is a place of covenant and decision, where God's promises and the people's commitments are repeatedly affirmed. It serves as a reminder of the faithfulness required of God's people and the consequences of their choices. The events at Shechem underscore themes of worship, obedience, and the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people.7927. Shekem -- "ridge," a district in Northern Palestine, also a ...
... "ridge," a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamor. Transliteration:
Shekem Phonetic Spelling: (shek-em') Short Definition: Shechem. ... Shechem. ...
/hebrew/7927.htm - 6k

Chapter xxxiv
... It would really be better to begin this chapter with v. Genesis 33:18 of the
preceding chapter, telling of Jacob's arrival at Shechem. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

Appendix D.
... But it was Jacob who bought a field near Shechem of the children of Hamer, Shechem's
father.' These two incidents, then, in this case are confused together. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/appendix d.htm

Shechem's (5 Occurrences)
...Shechem's (5 Occurrences). ... Genesis 34:8 And Hamor spoke to them, saying, My son
Shechem's soul cleaves to your daughter: I pray you, give her to him as wife. ...
/s/shechem's.htm - 8k

Kesitah (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 33:19 And he bought the portion of the field where he had spread his tent,
of the hand of the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred kesitahs. ...
/k/kesitah.htm - 8k

Kesitahs (2 Occurrences)
... Genesis 33:19 And he bought the portion of the field where he had spread his tent,
of the hand of the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred kesitahs. ...
/k/kesitahs.htm - 7k

Hamor (13 Occurrences)
... His son Shechem founded the city of that name which Simeon and Levi destroyed because
of his crime in the matter of Dinah, Jacob's daughter (Genesis 34:20). ...
/h/hamor.htm - 12k

Shechem (61 Occurrences)
... 39-42). To Shechem Joshua gathered all Israel "before God," and delivered
to them his second parting address (Joshua 24:1-15). He ...
/s/shechem.htm - 38k

Dinah (7 Occurrences)
... 21). She was seduced by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the Hivite chief, when
Jacob's camp was in the neighbourhood of Shechem. This ...
/d/dinah.htm - 10k

Plot (53 Occurrences)
... Genesis 33:19 He bought the parcel of ground where he had spread his tent, at the
hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of ...
/p/plot.htm - 22k

Pitched (101 Occurrences)
... Genesis 33:18 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land
of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city. ...
/p/pitched.htm - 33k

Parcel (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 33:19 He bought the parcel of ground where he had spread his tent, at the
hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of ...
/p/parcel.htm - 11k

Cleaves (11 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Genesis 34:8 And Hamor spoke to them, saying, My son Shechem's soul cleaves
to your daughter: I pray you, give her to him as wife. (DBY). ...
/c/cleaves.htm - 9k

Who was Simeon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Dinah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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