Shechem Attractions

The site of Old Testament Shechem is 2km/1.25mi southeast of Nablus on the saddle between Mounts Gerizim and Eval. An important town in Canaanite times thanks to its situation at the intersection of important roads running east-west and north-south, Shechem was associated with many events in the Old Testament.

History

Abraham set up camp here on his journey from Mesopotamia to Canaan and erected the first altar (Genesis 12,7). His grandson Jacob also pitched his tent outside the town after his return from Mesopotamia, bought land for a hundred pieces of money and also erected an altar (Genesis 33,18-20). Jacob's sons Simeon and Levi slew the men of Shechem and despoiled their city to avenge the dishonor of their sister Dinah (Genesis 34,1-29). In the 17th century B.C. the Hyksos built a fortress here.