Introduction:
Sychem, also known as Shechem, is a significant location in biblical history, situated in the hill country of Ephraim. It is one of the oldest and most important cities in the land of Canaan, frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. Sychem holds a central place in the narratives of the patriarchs, the conquest of Canaan, and the history of Israel.

Biblical Significance:

1. Abraham's Journey:
Sychem is first mentioned in the Bible in connection with Abraham. Upon entering Canaan, Abraham traveled to the site of Shechem and the oak of Moreh. It was here that the LORD appeared to Abraham and promised to give the land to his descendants. In response, Abraham built an altar to the LORD at this location (Genesis 12:6-7).

2. Jacob's Return:
After fleeing from Laban, Jacob returned to Canaan and settled near Shechem. He purchased a plot of land from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, and erected an altar there, calling it El-Elohe-Israel (Genesis 33:18-20). This act signified Jacob's acknowledgment of God's protection and provision.

3. Dinah and the Shechemites:
The city of Shechem is also the backdrop for the troubling account of Dinah, Jacob's daughter. She was violated by Shechem, the son of Hamor, which led to a violent retaliation by her brothers Simeon and Levi. They deceived the men of Shechem and killed them, plundering the city (Genesis 34).

4. Joseph's Bones:
Sychem is notable as the final resting place of Joseph's bones. Before his death, Joseph made the Israelites swear to carry his bones out of Egypt. After the conquest of Canaan, Joseph's bones were buried at Shechem in the plot of land Jacob had purchased (Joshua 24:32).

5. Joshua's Covenant Renewal:
Shechem served as a significant site for covenant renewal. Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, where he recounted the history of God's faithfulness and called the people to serve the LORD. The people renewed their covenant with God at this location (Joshua 24:1-25).

6. Rehoboam's Coronation:
After the death of Solomon, Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all Israel had gathered to make him king. It was here that the kingdom was divided due to Rehoboam's harsh response to the people's request for lighter burdens (1 Kings 12:1-19).

Archaeological and Historical Context:
Sychem is identified with the modern site of Tell Balata, located near the city of Nablus in the West Bank. Archaeological excavations have uncovered significant remains, including fortifications, gates, and a temple, which provide insight into the city's historical and cultural context during the biblical period.

Theological Themes:
Sychem is a place of divine encounter, covenant, and decision. It serves as a reminder of God's promises to the patriarchs and His faithfulness to Israel. The events at Shechem highlight themes of obedience, repentance, and the consequences of sin, as well as the importance of covenant renewal and commitment to God.

Conclusion:
Sychem's rich biblical history and theological significance make it a key location in understanding the narrative of God's relationship with His people. Its accounts continue to offer lessons on faith, obedience, and the enduring nature of God's promises.Sychem

the Greek form of the word Shechem. It occurs in (Acts 7:16) only. [SHECHEM]

see SHECHEM. SYCHEM

si'-kem (Suchem): In this form the name of Shechem appears in Acts 7:16 the King James Version, in the report of Stephen's speech. the King James Version is a transcription from the Greek; the Revised Version (British and American) in accordance with its practice, to give uniformity in the English, follows the Hebrew form of the name given in the Old Testament.

4966. Suchem -- Shechem, a city in Samaria
... Sychem. Of Hebrew origin (Shkem); Sychem (ie Shekem), the name of a Canaanite and
of a place in Palestine -- Sychem. see HEBREW Shkem. (suchem) -- 2 Occurrences ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4966.htm - 6k

Samaria. Sychem.
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 51-60 Chapter 56 Samaria. Sychem. ... The city
Samaria was at last called Sebaste; and Sychem, Neapolis. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 56 samaria sychem.htm

Appendix D.
... "So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our Fathers; and were carried
over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/appendix d.htm

Acts VII
... (15) And Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he and our fathers, (16) and were
carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulcher which Jacob bought for a ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vii.htm

Letter Lvii. To Pammachius on the Best Method of Translating.
... "With threescore and fifteen souls Jacob went down into Egypt, and died himself,
and our fathers were carried over [1709] into Sychem, and laid in the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lvii to pammachius on.htm

Acts vii. 6, 7
... So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers, and were carried over
into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvi acts vii 6.htm

From the Talmud and Hebraica
... Chapter 54 Tsok: and Beth Chadudo. Chapter 55 Divers matters. Chapter 56 Samaria.
Sychem. Chapter 57 Caesarea. Strato's Tower. Chapter 58 Antipatris. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/

Israel, Therefore, Avoiding the House of his Brother, Sent Forward ...
... purchased. Emor, a Chorr??an prince, was the ruler of that town. His son
Sychem defiled Dinah, the daughter of Jacob by Leah. Symeon ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter x israel therefore avoiding.htm

Abraham, Whose Father was Thara, was Born in the one Thousand and ...
... his country and his father, and taking with him Lot, the son of his brother, he
came into the country of the Canaanites, and settled at a place named Sychem. ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter v abraham whose father.htm

Inspiration of Scripture. --Gospel Difficulties. --The Word of God ...
... Stephen's speech to "the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the
sons of Emmor, the son" (not the father, but the son) "of Sychem," is a good ...
/.../inspiration and interpretation/sermon iii inspiration of scripture gospel.htm

The Heresiarchs of that Age.
... second century. He was born in Flavia Neapolis, a Roman town built close
by the ruins of the ancient Sychem, in Samaria. He was ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xi the heresiarchs of that.htm

Sychem (1 Occurrence)
...SYCHEM. si'-kem (Suchem): In this form the name of Shechem appears in Acts 7:16
the King James Version, in the report of Stephen's speech. ...Sychem (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/sychem.htm - 7k

Sychar (1 Occurrence)
... Liar or drunkard (see Isaiah 28:1, 7), has been from the time of the Crusaders usually
identified with Sychem or Shechem (John 4:5). It has now, however, as ...
/s/sychar.htm - 10k

Sepulchre (57 Occurrences)
... In Acts 7:16 it is said that Jacob was "laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought
for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem." It has been ...
/s/sepulchre.htm - 25k

Shechem (61 Occurrences)
... (2.) A descendant of Manasseh (Numbers 26:31; Joshua 17:2). (3.) A city in Samaria
(Genesis 33:18), called also Sichem (12:6), Sychem (Acts 7:16). ...
/s/shechem.htm - 38k

Emmor (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 7:16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham
bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. ...
/e/emmor.htm - 7k

Sum (34 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 7:16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that
Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. ...
/s/sum.htm - 17k

Sepulcher (48 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Acts 7:16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulcher that
Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. ...
/s/sepulcher.htm - 20k

Placed (297 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:16 and were carried over to Sychem and placed in the sepulchre which Abraham
bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. ...
/p/placed.htm - 34k

Carried (327 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 7:16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that
Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. ...
/c/carried.htm - 35k

Sycomore (3 Occurrences)

/s/sycomore.htm - 10k

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