To the East of the city, in a recess at the base of Gerizim, is the sanctuary known as Rijal el-`Amud, literally, "men of the column" or "pillar," where some would locate the ancient "oak of Moreh" or "of the pillar." Best Answer. You can also find the flight distance or distance to fly from Shechem Israel to Dothan Israel. It also conveniently lay along a major road to Shechem. State/Province level distance calculator: With the disruption of the kingdom came Bethel's greatest Maps are essential for any serious Bible study. Khalil er Rahman, "the friend of the Merciful," i.e. 13:22). As they left Shechem they were to remember the past and live in light of it. The stones around the mouth are worn into grooves by the action of ropes for so many ages. Jacob arose and returned to Bethel where he would renew his vow to the Lord and he built an altar at Bethel and worshiped God (Gen. 35:1-15). The Exodus Route: Travel times, distances, rates of travel, days of the week . Large Map of Israel in the First Century - Click around on the Cities. It is picturesquely situated in a narrow valley, surrounded by rocky hills. Genesis 33:18 Jacob came in peace to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Paddan Aram; and encamped before the city. Andersen, H. G. Shechem, The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, Vol. 1. 19 And from the sons of d Hamor, Shechem's father, e he bought for a hundred pieces of money 5 the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent. The place is still the market for a wide district, both East and West of Jordan. HEBRON is one of the most ancient cities in the world still existing, and it is in this respect the rival of Damascus. 10. 21:2; 2 Sam. 1 Kings 12:25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and lived in it; and he went out from there, and built Penuel. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. Eastward the valley opens upon the plain of Makhneh. Jacob (Heb. Even if we are consciously trying to be a proper Christian, it is still possible for us to . Bethel nevertheless remains a sacred place in the collective memory of both Jews and Christians. Twice in this verse Joshua gives the command: serve the LORD. In fact it is the main command of the whole chapter. Also from Mahanaim Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to request peace from his brother Esau (Gen. 32:1-5). cult) of Beersheba liveth." Called so from the oath of peace between Abraham and Abimelech, king of the Philistines (Genesis 21:31), else from the seven (sheba' ) ewe lambs slain there: indeed sheba', an oath, is from the custom of binding one's self by seven things, as Abraham made the seven ewe lambs a pledge of his covenant with Abimelech. Bethel still abounds in stones such as Jacob used for his pillow and afterward for a sanctuary. (1.) Shechem first steps on the pages of Scripture as Abram enters the land of Canaan. God's answer to his sacrifice at this altar of the threshing floor, and God's removal of the plague, determined David's choice of it as the site of the temple (1 Chronicles 28:2; 1 Chronicles 21:28; 1 Chronicles 22:1; 2 Chronicles 3:1, etc.). Later Jacob settled here, and dug a well. He believed that God would one day return the nation to Canaan, and so he gave the command for his bones to be carried back with them and buried there (Gen 50:25). And David said, Whither shall I go up? New York: Macmillan. Ya'acov) was the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham the first Hebrew. Third son of Kohath; younger brother of Amram, father of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 6:18). Jacob arose and returned to Bethel where he . The example of Jacob is quoted by the first and the last of the minor prophets. Peniel. Judges 9:25 The men of Shechem set an ambush for him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech. 2. The mile based measurement distance is 249.8 miles. 1Ki 16:34 3. 2:1-4, 11; 1 Kings 2:11). 2. All this combined made Samaria an ideal place for a capital. (2.) Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because he was born to him in his old age. 1 Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan.. 2 These are the records of the generations of Jacob. Jeremiah 41:5 that there came men from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even eighty men, having their beards shaved and their clothes torn, and having cut themselves, with meal offerings and frankincense in their hand, to bring them to the house of Yahweh. Thus I gave them into your hand. Samaria became significant in Shechems history because the people who later worshipped on Mount Gerizim came to be known as Samaritans (named after the capital Omri had chosen). 3. It was built "seven years before Zoan in Egypt" (Gen. 13:18; Num. Under Jehu, who restored the calf worship, and Jeroboam II his great grandson, Bethel comes again into prominence (2 Kings 10:29). He then set up another stone in Shechem, saying: Behold, this stone shall be for a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us; thus it shall be for a witness against you, lest you deny your God (Josh. Do not take as your own the values of our entertainers or actors just because they are good performers; think for yourself. On the return from Babylon some of the children of Judah dwelt in Kirjath Arba (Nehemiah 11:25). Abraham planted here a" grove" ('eshel) (distinct from the idol grove, Asheerah, or Astarte Baal), or tree, the tamarisk, long living, of hard wood, with long, clustering, evergreenBeersheba in Hitchcock's Bible Names the well of an oath; the seventh wellBeersheba in Naves Topical Bible 1. In today's reading, the words of Moses (Deut. According to Acts they were all buried at Shechem in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor. 16-18). The Bible speaks of the importance of having a personal relationship with Christ, not a surrogate relationship through our parents, peers, or pastor. Later Joseph was buried there (Josh 24:32). Here also, one thousand years after Abraham, David built an altar and offered sacrifices to God.Mount Moriah in Fausset's Bible Dictionary Genesis 22:2; 2 Chronicles 3:1. Answer (1 of 8): Not all Bible scholars agree because the modern city of Harran,Turkey may not be the same settlement of Haran that Abraham's family stayed in, (c.2000 BCE) when his father Terah died there, according to Genesis 11:31--32. 2. Jud 1:22,23 After the conquest Bethel is frequently heard of. For another Bible chapter related to Shechem, see Joshua 24.. Shechem. Then comes the most famous verse in the whole book of Joshua: And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (24:15). But I was not willing to listen to Balaam. When Judah returned from exile to the southern portion of the nation, the Samaritans requested to help rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. The Bible says that Shechem was a Hivite city and Hamor was chief. Abraham is called by Mohammedans el-Khulil, "the Friend," i.e. (See Joshua 21:11; Judges 1:10.) It was in the territory of Ephraim; it was made a city of refuge, and assigned to the Kohathite Levites (Joshua 20:7; Joshua 21:21). Probably on rising ground East of Bethel Abraham and Lot stood to view the uninviting highlands and the rich lands of the Jordan valley (Gen 13:9 ff). The Sanctuary: The town was originally called Luz (Gen 28:19, etc.). The Samaritans do not total more than 200. 5:5); and here he was anointed as king over all Israel (2 Sam. God would later tell King David: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be ruler over My people Israel (2 Sam. The naming of Bethel Jacob repeated more publicly on his return home, 20 years later, with his family purified of idols, when God again appeared to him, and confirmed his change of name to Israel (Genesis 35:1-15; Genesis 32:28). Abraham From Haran to Canaan. Baker Encyclopedia of Bible Places. Over the former probably David hung Ishbosheth's murderers (2 Samuel 4:12). At the end of the conquest Joshua gathered the whole nation to Shechem again, reminding them of their previous pledge and the blessings and curses they themselves pronounced. And David made Abner and the men that [were] with him a feast.Joshua 11:21 - And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.Joshua 10:23 - And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, [and] the king of Eglon.2 Samuel 2:1 - And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? He was presented to Pharaoh, and dwelt for seventeen years in Rameses and Goshen, and died in his 147th year. Shechem (Nablus) (Jewish Virtual Library) A lengthy article describing the archaeology and history of the ancient city. Genesis 35:9 God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan Aram, and blessed him. Hebron was fortified by Rehoboam (2 Ch 11:10). The distance between cities of Egypt is calculated . And his mother's name [was] Zibiah of Beersheba.Genesis 21:32 - Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.2 Samuel 17:11 - Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that [is] by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.2 Samuel 24:15 - So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.2 Chronicles 19:4 - And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.Judges 20:1 - Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.2 Samuel 3:10 - To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.2 Samuel 24:7 - And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, [even] to Beersheba.1 Kings 4:25 - And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.Genesis 21:33 - And [Abraham] planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.Genesis 46:1 - And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.1 Samuel 3:20 - And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel [was] established [to be] a prophet of the LORD.1 Kings 19:3 - And when he saw [that], he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which [belongeth] to Judah, and left his servant there.Genesis 21:31 - Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.1 Samuel 8:2 - Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: [they were] judges in Beersheba.Genesis 26:33 - And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city [is] Beersheba unto this day.Joshua 19:2 - And they had in their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,1 Chronicles 4:28 - And they dwelt at Beersheba, and Moladah, and Hazarshual,Nehemiah 11:27 - And at Hazarshual, and at Beersheba, and [in] the villages thereof,Genesis 28:10 - And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. 7. 10. Ebal. (See BETHAVEN.) Ge 37:14 comp. Here Absalom set up the standard of revolt. Times of Joshua and Judges: The spies visited Hebron and near there cut the cluster of grapes (Nu 13:22 f). 6:2, 18). (1.) The Incredible Bible - First in the BKA Series. 12. There are at present on the spot two principal wells and five smaller ones. He sent gifts ahead of his caravan to determine the situation with Esau, if he rejected the gifts then Jacob knew there would be trouble (Gen. 32:13-20). The first mention of Shechem in the Bible is Genesis 12:6, when Abram first entered Canaan. The two unworthy sons of Samuel were Judges in Beersheba (1 Sam 8:2) and Zibiah, mother of King Jehoash, was born there (2 Ki 12:1; 2 Ch 24:1). As Wood suggests, the military outpost there, visible . 1Sa 7:16 Here Jeroboab placed one of the two calves of gold. This rival center would enable the northern tribes to worship without crossing the border into Judah. Bethel in Easton's Bible Dictionary house of God. Ex 32:30-33:23 Depart for Canaan. The best way to get from Hebron to Shechem costs only $14 and takes just 3 hours. Mutton was preferred to camel meat, which came second in popularity, costing US$2/kg. Near the city the Law was promulgated (Deuteronomy 27:11 Joshua 8:33). Those three verses included God's call to Abram and the covenantal promises that God gave to Abram Remember that God's call was to leave the world that . Two million Jews would gather at Shiloh on the main festivals and would camp on the surrounding hills. Bethel belonged by lot to Benjamin, but was falcon by Ephraim (Bethel being on his southern border) through the treachery of an inhabitant (Judges 1:22-26). Ge 12:8; 13:3,4 Bethel was the scene of Jacob's vision. God revealed to Jacob His plan of redemption through offering His only son as a substitute for the sins of the whole world. It became the residence also of the rebellious Absalom (2 Sam. And you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho; and the citizens of Jericho fought against you, and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Girgashite, the Hivite and the Jebusite. It became a Levitical city and a city of refuge (20:7; 21:11). 4. After looking for them at Shechem, he found them a short distance north at Dothan. In addition to the Ridge Route leading south, the road also passed directly through Shechem, which lay on the northeastern side of Mount Gerizim and just south of Mount Ebal. 2Ki 10:29 After the desolation of the northern kingdom by the king of Assyria, Bethel still remained an abode of priests. Smith, DB, under the word) would identify it with Sychar of John 4:5; but see SYCHAR. Shechem. Shechem. Bethel. Like some 50 other Hebrew names of this same form, it has no subject for the verb expressed. The people say that not only will Joshua and his house serve the Lord but we also will serve the LORD. Not because He was the God of their parents, but because He is, they say, our God.. It is still called by the Arabs Bir es- Seba, i.e., "well of the seven", where there are to the present day two principal wells and five smaller ones. Shechem was captured by John Hyrcanus in 132 B.C. Judges 9:6 All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together, and all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem. Soap is manufactured in large quantities, oil for this purpose being plentifully supplied by the olive groves. 14. Joshua called them together again to this historically significant site, because what he had to tell them preached louder in Shechem that it could anywhere else: And Joshua said to all the people, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, from ancient times your fathers lived beyond the River, namely, Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they served other gods (v 2). That which was promised he would have received in some good way; but Jacob and his mother, distrusting God's promise, sought the promised blessing in a wrong way, and received with it trouble and sorrow. He cursed them with forty years of wilderness wandering until the unbelieving generation died off, never stepping foot in the Promised Land. The Holy Land Satellite Atlas, Vol. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1987. However Zerubbabel refused, and the Samaritans developed almost a cultdevoted only to the Pentateuch. There Jacob settled and bought a piece of land outside the city, there he built an alter for sacrificing to his awesome God, YHWH. We should remember how God, in His grace, has taken care of us since then in spite of our continued disobedience. Then you too put away your idols in this spot. We should put away what is wrong and embrace what is rightor better, who is right, because Joshua says again at the end of v 14: serve the LORD.. 2. Eusebius, Onomasticon places it 12 Roman miles from Jerusalem, on the road to Neapolis. [2][3] Before the birth of Benjamin, Jacob is renamed "Israel" by an angel, the name after which the modern nation of Israel is named. From Dan to Beersheba (2 Sam 17:11, etc.) Joshua did this, and dividing the nation, Half of them stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal (Josh. 1 Chr. Joshua also tells them to put away the gods which your fathers served. He calls them together at Shechem as if to say: Remember how Abram put away his idols and came here, and remember Gods promise to Abram in this spot? Jacob lived out his last years in Egypt with his sons until his death. Shechem was the place where Joseph's remains were buried (Joshua 24:32). The valley runs from north to south; and the main quarter of the town, surmounted by the lofty walls of the venerable Haram, lies partly on the eastern slope. Jacob, now called Israel, sends Joseph to meet his brothers. Under Ahab the Baal worship at Samaria and Jezreel drew off attention from the calf worship at Bethel. After the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon, Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king (1 Kings 12:1). It was the extreme border of the cultivated land. It was the favorite home of Abraham. Here Abram built an altar to the Lord, and here God confirmed His promise to give the land to Abram. A descendant of Manasseh ( Numbers 26:31; Joshua 17:2). Gerizim and Mt. The surrounding country is bleak and barren, the hills being marked by a succession of stony terraces, which may have suggested the form of the ladder in Jacob's famous dream. Excavations, mainly in the 20th century, have unearthed the remains of many important Canaanite cities, including Bet Shean, Gezer, Hazor, Jericho, Jerusalem, Lachish, Megiddo, and Shechem.The most important literary sources for the region's history are the Old . The name Bethel was at first apparently given to the sanctuary in the neighbourhood of Luz, and was not given to the city itself till after its conquest by the tribe of Ephraim. I. In one part of the modern city is a great mosque, which is built over the grave of Machpelah. It became the central city of the Samaritans, whose shrine was built on Mt. Hiel the Bethelite is recorded as the rebuilder of Jericho. Aharoni, Yohanan, and Micheal Avi-Yonah. There are two accounts of the origin of the name.