Introduction:
Sichem, 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. The city is located near the modern-day city of Nablus in the West Bank.

Biblical Significance:
Sichem holds a prominent place in the biblical narrative, serving as a backdrop for several key events and covenants. It is first mentioned in Genesis 12:6-7, where Abram (later Abraham) travels to the land of Canaan and builds an altar to the LORD: "Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land.' So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him" .

Jacob and His Family:
Sichem is also associated with Jacob, who purchased a plot of land there and settled with his family after returning from Paddan-aram. Genesis 33:18-19 records, "After Jacob came from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan, and he camped in front of the city. And he purchased the plot of ground where he had pitched his tent from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver" . This site later became the burial place of Joseph's bones, as noted in Joshua 24:32.

The Incident with Dinah:
A significant and troubling event occurred in Sichem involving Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah. She was violated by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, which led to a violent retaliation by her brothers Simeon and Levi (Genesis 34). This incident had lasting repercussions for Jacob's family and their relations with the surrounding peoples.

Joshua's Covenant Renewal:
Sichem is notably the site where Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to renew their covenant with the LORD. In Joshua 24, Joshua recounts the history of Israel and calls the people to serve the LORD faithfully. Joshua 24:25-26 states, "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. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was near the sanctuary of the LORD" .

The Division of the Kingdom:
The city of Sichem also played a role in the political history of Israel. After the death of Solomon, Rehoboam went to Shechem to be made king over all Israel (1 Kings 12:1). 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.

The Samaritan Connection:
In later history, Sichem became associated with the Samaritans, who built their temple on Mount Gerizim, overlooking the city. This connection is evident in the New Testament, where Jesus speaks with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, located near Shechem (John 4).

Conclusion:
Sichem's rich biblical history, from the patriarchs to the divided kingdom, underscores its importance as a center of worship, covenant, and conflict. Its legacy continues to be a point of interest for biblical scholars and archaeologists alike.Sichem

portion; shoulder

Sichem

(Genesis 12:6) [SHECHEM]

She'chem, (q.v.), Genesis 12:6. SICHEM

See SHECHEM.

How they are to be Admonished who Lament Sins of Deed, and those ...
... For it is written, Dinah went out to see the women of that land; and when Sichem,
the son of Hemor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he loved her ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxix how they are.htm

Whether any Gifts Should be Assigned as Dowry to the Blessed?
... by the bridegroom on the bride for her adornment when she is taken to the bridegroom's
dwelling: and that this is shown by the words of Sichem to Jacob and his ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether any gifts should be.htm

An Example of Faith
... And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. ...
That drove them farther apart than the distance between Sichem and Haran. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/an example of faith.htm

Appendix D.
... also that the field, which was bought of the sons of Emmor, or the children of Hamor
(as they are called in Genesis 33:19), the father of Sichem, was bought ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/appendix d.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... Of the fourth great highway, which led from Galilee to Jerusalem, straight through
Samaria, branching at Sichem eastwards to Damascus, and westwards to Caesarea ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

Here Followeth the Life of Abraham
... son of his brother, and their meiny [company], and his cattle and his substance,
and came into the land of Canaan, and came into the vale of Sichem, in which ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the life of.htm

The History of Rehoboam
... REHOBOAM. After Solomon, reigned his son Rehoboam. He came to Sichem and
thither came all the people for to ordain him king. Jeroboam ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of rehoboam.htm

The Man of Faith
... GENESIS THE MAN OF FAITH. 'And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem,
unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the man of faith.htm

How Vespasian Upon Hearing of Some Commotions in Gall, Made Haste ...
... of his forces, returned to Emmaus, whence he came down through the country of Samaria,
and hard by the city, by others called Neapoils, [or Sichem,] but by the ...
/.../chapter 8 how vespasian upon.htm

Appendix xv. The Location of Sychar, and the Date of Our Lord's ...
... The first difficulty here was the name, since Shechem, or even Sichem, could scarcely
be identified with Sychar, which is undoubtedly the correct reading. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xv the location of.htm

Sichem (1 Occurrence)
...SICHEM. See SHECHEM. ...Sichem (1 Occurrence). Genesis 12:6 And Abram passed through
the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. ...
/s/sichem.htm - 7k

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

Abraham (2539 Occurrences)
... Passing along the valley of the Jabbok, in the land of Canaan, he formed his first
encampment at Sichem (Genesis 12:6), in the vale or oak-grove of Moreh ...
/a/abraham.htm - 50k

Siccuth (1 Occurrence)

/s/siccuth.htm - 6k

Sick (117 Occurrences)

/s/sick.htm - 44k

Plain (113 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 12:6 And Abram passed through
the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. ...
/p/plain.htm - 71k

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