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This article is about the City. You may be looking for the prince or the son of Manasseh.
Shechem, also known as Sichem, is a significant city in the Bible, located in the hill country of Ephraim, between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. It holds a prominent place in the narratives of the Old Testament, serving as a backdrop for key events in the lives of the Patriarchs and the history of Israel.
Biblical Significance[]
- Abraham's Journey: Shechem first appears in the Bible, when Abraham (then still called Abram) arrives in Canaan and builds an altar to the Lord in the Oak of Moreh. This act signifies God's promise to give the land to Abram's descendants.[1]
- Jacob's Settlement: Jacob purchases a plot of land near Shechem and erects an altar, calling it El-Elohe-Israel. This site becomes a significant family inheritance and a place of worship.[2]
- Dinah's Story: The city is also the setting for the tragic story of Dinah, Jacob's daughter, who is violated by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite. In response, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's, deceive and massacre the men of Shechem.[3]
- Joseph's Brothers: Joseph's brothers are pasturing their flocks near Shechem when Jacob sends Joseph to check on them. This leads to Joseph being sold into slavery, a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites.[4]
- Joshua's Covenant: After the conquest of Canaan, Joshua gathers all the tribes of Israel at Shechem to renew their covenant with God. There Joshua famously declares, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord".[5]
- Abimelech's Story: During the time of the judges, Shechem played a significant role in the story of Abimelech, one of Gideon's sons. After his father's death, Abimelech conspired with his maternal family in Shechem to kill his seventy brothers, securing his position as ruler. The people of Shechem supported Abimelech and proclaimed him king.[6] Abimelech's rule was marked by violence and treachery. The support for Abimelech eventually led to internal conflict. The people of Shechem turned against Abimelech, leading to a series of battles and ultimately the destruction of the city by Abimelech himself. He turned against the city, destroying it and sowing it with salt to symbolize its complete ruin.[7]
- Division of the Kingdom: After Solomon's death, Rehoboam goes to Shechem to be crowned king, but the northern tribes rebel and make Jeroboam their king instead, leading to the division of the united monarchy.[8]
Shechem's rich biblical history underscores its importance as a religious, cultural, and political center in ancient Israel. From the patriarchs to the divided kingdom, Shechem serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of faith and covenant in the Bible.