Shechem

Shechem

Shechem , town, central ancient Palestine, the modern Tell Balatan, between Mts. Gerizim and Ebal, near Nablus . Excavations in the 20th cent. indicate a village there c.3500 BC Shechem's greatest period began c.1700 BC when the Hyksos rebuilt it. According to patriarchal narratives in the Book of Genesis, it was visited by Abraham, and Jacob built an altar to God there. Jacob pastured his flocks near Shechem; his well remains a landmark. The rape of Dinah, Jacob's daughter, by Shechemites provoked Jacob's sons to plunder the city. As related in the book of Joshua , after the Canaanite conquest, Hebrew tribes gathered at Shechem. Solomon's son Rehoboam was crowned (c.930 BC) there; Jeroboam I "built" Shechem. Thus it was the first northern capital, before Samaria. A small community of Samaritans still live in the area.

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Shechem

Shechem A city north of Jerusalem controlling a vital trade route, and so very prosperous. It was visited by Abraham (Gen. 12: 6) and it was the burial site of Jacob (Josh. 24: 32) and the place where Joshua renewed the covenant (Josh. 24). It was destroyed by Abimelech, self-styled king (Judg. 9: 45), but rebuilt, and became the place chosen by Rehoboam for his coronation; but it was in the northern area which revolted against him soon afterwards, and Jeroboam I of Israel used Shechem temporarily as his capital. The city survived successfully until the Assyrian invaders again destroyed it; once more it was rebuilt and became a religious centre in 350 BCE for the Samaritans. It was destroyed again when Samaria was subdued by John Hyrcanus in 107 BCE, and again rebuilt. It survives today as part of the city of Nablus.

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W. R. F. BROWNING. "Shechem." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

W. R. F. BROWNING. "Shechem." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-Shechem.html

W. R. F. BROWNING. "Shechem." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-Shechem.html

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Shechem

Shechem , in the Bible. 1 Hivite prince. 2 Manassite chief.

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"Shechem." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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"Shechem." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Shechem.html

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Sychem

Sychem , variant of Shechem .

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

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Magazine article from: The Journal of the American Oriental Society; 10/1/2005

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