Introduction:
Sychar is a town mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Gospel of John. It is most notably recognized as the location where Jesus had a significant encounter with a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. This event is pivotal in the narrative of Jesus' ministry, highlighting themes of salvation, worship, and the breaking of social barriers.

Biblical Reference:
The primary biblical reference to Sychar is found in John 4:5-6 : "So He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Since Jacob’s well was there, Jesus, weary from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Sychar is traditionally identified with the modern-day town of Askar, located near the ancient city of Shechem in the region of Samaria. This area is rich in biblical history, being associated with the patriarchs Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph. The mention of Jacob's well situates Sychar in a place of significant ancestral heritage for both Jews and Samaritans.

Cultural and Religious Significance:
The encounter at Sychar is notable for several reasons. First, it occurs in Samaria, a region often avoided by Jews due to longstanding hostilities between Jews and Samaritans. The Samaritans were considered heretical by mainstream Judaism because of their mixed heritage and differing religious practices, which included worship on Mount Gerizim rather than in Jerusalem.

In John 4:9 , the Samaritan woman expresses surprise at Jesus' request for water: "You are a Jew," said the woman, "and I am a Samaritan woman. How can You ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) This interaction underscores the radical nature of Jesus' ministry, which transcended ethnic and social boundaries.

Theological Themes:
The dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Sychar is rich with theological significance. Jesus speaks of "living water" (John 4:10), symbolizing the eternal life and spiritual satisfaction He offers. This conversation leads to a revelation of Jesus as the Messiah, as He declares in John 4:26 , "I who speak to you am He."

Furthermore, the discussion about worship in John 4:21-24 emphasizes a shift from physical locations to worship "in spirit and truth," indicating the universal nature of the gospel and the coming new covenant.

Impact and Legacy:
The encounter at Sychar had a profound impact on the Samaritan community. The woman's testimony led many Samaritans to believe in Jesus, as recorded in John 4:39 : "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, 'He told me everything I ever did.'"

This event is a testament to the inclusive nature of Jesus' mission and the breaking down of barriers between different peoples. It serves as a powerful example of personal transformation and evangelism, as the Samaritan woman becomes one of the first to spread the news of the Messiah.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not provide extensive details about Sychar beyond this narrative, its mention in the Gospel of John highlights its importance as a site of divine revelation and a turning point in Jesus' ministry. The account of Sychar continues to inspire believers with its message of grace, redemption, and the breaking of societal barriers through the love of Christ.Sychar

end

Sychar

a place named only in (John 4:5) Sychar was either a name applied to the town of Shechem or it was an independent place. The first of these alternatives is now almost universally accepted. [SHECHEM]

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 the result of recent explorations, been identified with `Askar, a small Samaritan town on the southern base of Ebal, about a mile to the north of Jacob's well. SYCHAR

si'-kar (Suchar): Mentioned only once, in connection with the visit of Jesus to Jacob's Well (John 4:5). He was passing through Samaria on His way to Galilee, "so he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph: and Jacob's well was there." Jerome thought the name was a clerical error for Sychem (Epistle 86). In Eusebius (in Onomasticon) he is content to translate Eusebius, placing Sychar East of Neapolis. It is now generally admitted that the text is correct. Some have held, however, that Sychar is only another name for Shechem ("Sychem"). It is suggested, e.g., that it is a nickname applied in contempt by the Jews, being either shikkor, "drunken," or sheqer, "falsehood." Others think the form has arisen through change of "m" to "r" in pronunciation; as "l" to "r" in Beliar. These theories may safely be set aside. The evidence that Sychar was a distinct place East of Shechem may be described as overwhelming. It is carefully and perspicuously marshaled by G. A. Smith (Historical Geography of the Holy Land, 367;). The manner in which it is mentioned shows that it was not a specially well-known place: "a city of Samaria called Sychar." No one familiar with Palestine would have written "a city of Samaria called Sychem." It is mentioned only because of its nearness to the well.

As to the position of the well, there is general agreement (see JACOB'S WELL). It is on the right of the road where it bends from the plain of Makhneh into the pass of Shechem. Fully half a mile off, on the edge of the plain, is the village of `Askar, on the lower slope of Ebal. A little to the West is the traditional tomb of Joseph. This is the district East of Shechem usually identified with Jacob's "parcel of ground." Many have sought to find Sychar in the modern `Askar. There are two difficulties. The first is the initial letter `ain in the modern name. But G. A. Smith has shown that such a change as this, although unusual, is not impossible. The second is the presence of the copious spring, `Ain `Askar, which would make it unnecessary for the villagers to carry water from Jacob's Well. This cannot easily be explained away. One could understand a special journey at times, if any peculiar value attached to the water in the well; but from it, evidently, the woman drew her ordinary supplies (John 4:15). This difficulty would probably in any case be fatal to the claim of the village at `Ain `Askar to represent the ancient Sychar. But Professor R. S. A. Macalister has shown reason to believe that the village is not older than Arab times (PEFS, 1907, 92;). He examined the mound Telul Balata, nearly 1/2 mile Southwest of `Askar, and just West of Joseph's tomb. There he found evidence of occupation from the days of the Hebrew monarchy down to the time of Christ. Here there is no spring; and it is only 1/4 mile distant from Jacob's Well-nearer therefore to the well than to `Askar. In other respects the site is suitable, so that perhaps here we may locate the Sychar of the Gospel. The name may easily have migrated to `Askar when the village fell into decay.

W. Ewing

4965. Suchar -- Sychar, a city in Samaria
... Sychar, a city in Samaria. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration:
Suchar Phonetic Spelling: (soo-khar') Short Definition: Sychar Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4965.htm - 6k

Appendix xv. The Location of Sychar, and the Date of Our Lord's ...
... APPENDIX XV. THE LOCATION OF SYCHAR, AND THE DATE OF OUR LORD'S VISIT TO SAMARIA.
(See vol. i. Book III ch. viii.) 1. The Location of Sychar. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xv the location of.htm

Jesus at the Well of Sychar
... Book III. THE ASCENT: FROM THE RIVER JORDAN TO THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION.
CHAPTER VIII. JESUS AT THE WELL OF SYCHAR. (John 4:1-42.) ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii jesus at the.htm

The Woman of Samaria.
... So He cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground
that Jacob gave to his son Joseph: and Jacob's well was there. ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/ix the woman of samaria.htm

The Second Sign in Galilee.
... 31-54. The disciples, when they went forward to buy provisions in Sychar,
left Jesus sitting on the well wearied and faint. On their ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xi the second sign in.htm

Jesus at the Well.
... On the route occurred the memorable conversation with the woman of Sychar. ... (John
4:5). 5. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus at the well.htm

The Nobleman's Son.
... If this view is correct, Jesus passed a Sabbath, soon after his sojourn at Sychar,
at his old home, and attended the synagogue where he had often worshiped ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the noblemans son.htm

Jesus Sets Out from Jud??a for Galilee.
... d 43 And after the two days [the two days spent among the Samaritans at Sychar]
he went forth from thence [from Samaria] into Galilee. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxvi jesus sets out from 3.htm

A Talk About the Water of Life.
... He and His disciples went through the country of Samaria, which lay between Judea
and Galilee, they came at noon near to the little village of Sychar among the ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xii a talk about.htm

Jesus Sets Out from Jud??a for Galilee.
... (Time: One Year.) XXVI. Jesus Sets Out from Jud??a for Galilee. Subdivision
B. At Jacob's Well, and at Sychar. ^D John 4:5-42. ^d ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxvi jesus sets out from 2.htm

Sowing and Reaping.
... with the woman. His disciples had left him alone at the well, while they
went to the village of Sychar to buy food. As they return ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/sowing and reaping.htm

Sychar (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SYCHAR. ... In Eusebius (in Onomasticon) he is content
to translate Eusebius, placing Sychar East of Neapolis. ...
/s/sychar.htm - 10k

Shechem (61 Occurrences)
... (see SYCHAR.). Int. ... Some (eg Smith, DB, under the word) would identify it with Sychar
of John 4:5; but see SYCHAR. Under the Romans it became Flavia Neapolis. ...
/s/shechem.htm - 38k

Jacob's (34 Occurrences)
... So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that
Jacob gave to his son Joseph: and Jacob's well was there." When Jacob came ...
/j/jacob's.htm - 23k

Sy'char (1 Occurrence)
Sy'char. Sychar, Sy'char. Sychem . ... John 4:5 So he came to a city of Samaria,
called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son, Joseph. ...
/s/sy'char.htm - 6k

Gerizim (4 Occurrences)
... There are many ruins on this mountain, some of which are evidently of Christian
buildings. To this mountain the woman of Sychar referred in John 4:20. ...
/g/gerizim.htm - 14k

Plot (53 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). John 4:5 So he came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the
parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son, Joseph. (See NIV). ...
/p/plot.htm - 22k

Parcel (10 Occurrences)
... Parcel (10 Occurrences). John 4:5 So he came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar,
near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son, Joseph. ...
/p/parcel.htm - 11k

Sycamore-trees (6 Occurrences)
Sycamore-trees. Sycamore-tree, Sycamore-trees. Sychar . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Sycamore-tree, Sycamore-trees. Sychar . Reference Bible.
/s/sycamore-trees.htm - 8k

Samar'ia (4 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). John 4:5 He cometh, therefore, to a city of Samaria, called Sychar,
near to the place that Jacob gave to Joseph his son; (See RSV). ...
/s/samar'ia.htm - 7k

Well (2882 Occurrences)
... So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that
Jacob gave to his son Joseph: and Jacob's well was there." When Jacob came ...
/w/well.htm - 39k

What is the significance of Jacob's well? | GotQuestions.org

What is the importance of Samaria in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the woman at the well? | GotQuestions.org

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