It was evidently the center, especially for the northern tribes; and hither Rehoboam came in the hope of getting his succession to the throne confirmed (1 Kings 12:1 2 Chronicles 10:1). Still farther to the East and near the base of Ebal is the traditional tomb of Joseph, a little white-domed building beside a luxuriant orchard. In old times the slopes of Ebal were covered with vineyards; but these formed a source of temptation to the "faithful." Terah dies in Haran five years later. Besides the frequent mention of his name in conjunction with the names of the other two patriarchs, there are distinct references to the events in the life of Jacob in four books of the New Testament - Joh 1:51; 4:5,12; Ac 7:12,16; Ro 9:11-13; Heb 11:21; 12:16Jacob in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE I. However, the site thought to be the biblical Shechem, called Tel Balata by archaeologists, is near a well. It was about 12 miles N. of Jerusalem. Wayne earned his masters and doctoral degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary and served in the pastorate for 14 years before also serving 12 years in leadershi More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. It lay in the pass which cuts through Mts. A walk with God (literally, for about 100 miles) At the oak of Moreh in the vicinity he reared his first altar to the Lord in Palestine (Genesis 12:6 f). Jacob arrives at Shechem in c.1691BC (see Genesis 12:6-7) where he buys some land for a tomb from the sons of Hamor and sets up an altar called El Elohe Yisrael (Hebrew, meaning 'God, the God of Israel' or 'God, the God of Jacob'). and they became the inheritance of Josephs sons (Josh. But I was not willing to listen to Balaam. Then Jacob crossed the river Jordan and settled in front of the city of Shechem, the same place where Abraham entered Canaan many years ago. 6:18; 1 Chr. with angels going up and down. But Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, escaped by hiding. But because Rehoboam followed the foolish and harsh advice of the youths with whom he grew up, the nation divided at Shechem. Camels can travel at up to 50 miles per hour. Its earlier name was Kirjath-arba (Gen. 23:2; Josh. It also provided room for many people to liveperhaps 40,000as the city covered 20 acres. From Dan to Beersheba (2 Sam 17:11, etc.) He said to him, "Here I am.". Jacob purchased a parcel of land here in Shechem and actually made for himself a dwelling place in the land of Canaan (Gen. 33:18-20). or from Beersheba to. jacob's journey from beersheba to haran distanceduskull evolution arceus. After Abram's father Terah died in Haran, God appeared to him again with the same calling: "Go unto the land I will show you.". I think that is the mistake made when the plaques quote this verse. The ruins, covering three or four acres, still bear a like name, Beitin, on a low bill, between two wadies, which unite in the main valley of es-Suweinit, toward the S.E. Later he journeyed southward and dwelt at Hebron which was the location of the events around his son Joseph. The rains run through immovable ravines, and beside that river people cultivate their fields and water their livestock. When Abram entered Canaan he formed his second encampment between Bethel and Hai (Gen. 12:8); and on his return from Egypt he came back to it, and again "called upon the name of the Lord" (13:4). This, say some, is the very tree beneath which Abraham pitched his tent, and it still bears the name of the patriarch. 3. 12:2-4), the second born of the twin sons of Isaac by Rebekah. It was made a Levite city of refuge (Joshua 21:11-13). 10. Hebron was fortified by Rehoboam (2 Ch 11:10). All of Egypt mourned with Joseph over the passing of Jacob, who, in the time of his stay in Goshen, had gained the esteem and love of all the people. In the Hebrew Bible he is the son of Isaac and Rebecca, the grandson of Abraham and Sarah and of Bethuel, and the twin brother of Esau. 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). 20:18, 31; 21:2). So he had to bless you, and I delivered you from his hand. 24:1). When his end was approaching Joshua gathered the tribes of Israel here and addressed to them his final words of counsel and exhortation (chapter 24). A city north of Jerusalem The ancient city adjacent to, and finally embraced in, was called Luz Jos 18:13; Jud 1:23-26 Abraham estblishes an altar at Ge 12:8; 13:3,4 The place where Jacob saw the vision of the ladder Ge 28:10-22; 31:13; Ho 12:4 And builds an altar at Ge 35:1-15 Deborah dies at Ge 35:8 Conquered by Joshua Jos 8:17; with 12:16 Conquered by the household of Joseph Jud 1:22-26 Allotted to Benjamin Jos 18:13,22 Court of justice held at By Deborah Jud 4:5 By Samuel 1Sa 7:16 Tabernacle at, and called HOUSE OF GOD Jud 20:18,31; 21:2 Jeroboam institutes idolatrous worship at 1Ki 12:25-33; 2Ki 10:29 Idolatry at Jer 48:13; Am 4:4 Shalmanezer sends a priest to 2Ki 17:27,28 Prophecies against the idolatrous altars at 1Ki 13:1-6,32; 2Ki 23:4,15-20; Am 3:14 The school of prophets at 2Ki 2:3 The young men of, mock Elisha 2Ki 2:23,24 People of, return from Babylon Ezr 2:28; Ne 7:32 Prophecies against Am 5:5 -2. New York: Macmillan. Its ruins still lie on the righthand side of the road from Jerusalem to Nablus. He set up a pillar, and anointed it with oil, to mark the place where God spoke with him. Shechem. 3-13). It was then the seat of Canaanite idolatry, the temple of Baal-berith being here (Judges 9:4, 46). More details . The areas in Canaan which Abram spent most of his life were along the Route of the Patriarchs, namely in Shechem (Gen 12:6), Bethel and Ai (12:8; 13:2), Hebron (13:18; 14:13), and in the Negev (13:1; 20:1, notably Gerar). Judges 9:41 Abimelech lived at Arumah: and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shechem. Eusebius, Onomasticon places it 12 Roman miles from Jerusalem, on the road to Neapolis. Augustine once said: Idolatry is worshipping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that is meant to be worshiped., Jonathan Edwards resolved: that all men should live for the glory of God. And I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea; and Egypt pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea. According to Josh 15:13 it was so called after Arba, the father of Anak. Abram pitches his tent between Bethel and Ai and builds an altar. Eastward the valley opens upon the plain of Makhneh. 1. Abraham camped there after leaving Ilaran. The actual trip should have taken 11 days. Bethel. Remember how Jacob put away his idols in this spot? 8. Here in Egypt Jacob met Joseph and there were great tears and rejoicing among them. The son of Hamor the Hivite ( Genesis 33:19; 34). 2:2-8), who spoke for God, were carefully obeyed by Joshua (30,31). It made a good choice for a capital. 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. But when they cried out to the LORD, He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them and covered them; and your own eyes saw what I did in Egypt. of Bethel. 1. Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: but why should we serve him? Mutton was preferred to camel meat, which came second in popularity, costing US$2/kg. In the time of Jerome it was still a considerable place, and still retains its ancient name --Bir es-Seba. We should remember how God, in His grace, has taken care of us since then in spite of our continued disobedience. Nicosia: Rohr Productions, 1999. The Incredible Bible - First in the BKA Series. Like his father, he was of a quiet and gentle disposition, and when he grew up followed the life of a shepherd, while his brother Esau became an enterprising hunter. When the land of Canaan was conquered and divided among the Israelites, Shechem was allotted to Ephraim, and finally . When the procession reached the border of Canaan, thirty-one kings turned out to pay . 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). Jacob secretly left Haran because his father-in-law was envious of Jacob's wealth and was planning to take revenge. But "life-long sorrow, disgrace, and trials, in the retributive providence of God, followed as a consequence of this double union." The Days of the Monarchy: David, when a fugitive, received kindness from the people of this city (1 Sam 30:31); here Abner was treacherously slain by Joab at the gate (2 Sam 3:27), and the sons of Rimmon, after their hands and feet had been cut off, were hanged "beside the pool" (2 Sam 4:12). cult) of Beersheba liveth." An unnamed stranger directs Joseph to Dothan, about 15 . The Lord changed Jacob's name to Israel and he became the father of 12 sons who became the 12 tribes of Israel (Gen. 25-50). It was ordered by God that the votaries of the calf worship at Bethel never dared to violate the sepulchre and title of the prophet who denounced their idol. According to Acts they were all buried at Shechem in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor. There are some 700 or 800 Christians, chiefly belonging to the Greek Orthodox church. A city in the hill country of Judah, originally Kirjath (the city of) Arba (Joshua 15:13; Joshua 14:15). Filmed on location at the very place Jesus met with the Samaritan woman in Sychar (Shechem). 2. Beersheba. After the Israelites blazed a safe trail to central Canaan by defeating Jericho and Ai, they immediately went 34 km north to convene a covenant ceremony in the area of Shechem (Josh 8:30-35). 21:2; 2 Sam. Here also he raised an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel, "God, the God of Israel" (Genesis 33:20). Hither he had come after his meeting with Esau (Genesis 33:18). 1:26). Jacob stayed at the brook Jabbok, near Peniel, the night. Abraham is called by Mohammedans el-Khulil, "the Friend," i.e. 8. a. Judges 9:57 and all the wickedness of the men of Shechem did God requite on their heads: and on them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal. 3. Because of its central location and vital crossroads, Shechem saw a lot of traffic in its history. Joshua called the nation to Shechem because significant things occurred there before. 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). In Hebron, David reigned over Judah first for seven and a half years (2 Samuel 5:5). Jeroboam shouted: To your tents, O Israel and separated the ten northern tribes from the southern kingdom of Judah (1 Kings 12:1,16). (See OAK ?T0002758.) 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. Adult camels weighed around 500 kg; the dressing-out percentage was 52%. 10:36, 37; 12:10; 14:13). It appears in the New Testament only in the speech of Stephen (Acts 7:16, King James Version "Sychem"). 03) In a straight line from Shechem, to Bethel, to Egypt it is about 254 miles (409 Km). 9. Hebron. The war of conquest being done, Joseph's bones were buried in the parcel of ground which Jacob had bought, and which fell to the lot of Joseph's descendants (24:33). 8:33). and Zebul his officer? 25, 28). A 'ziggurat' (a stepped temple platform) about 70 feet / 21 metres high, surmounted by a temple and shrine to the Akkadian moon god Sin, was built by King Ur . With the disruption of the kingdom came Bethel's greatest Maps are essential for any serious Bible study. It is located at the longitude of 35.077655 and latitude of 31.527655. . According to Genesis, Abraham was the great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandson of Noah and was married to Sarah. 2Ch 13:19 Elijah visited Bethel, and we hear of "sons of the prophets" as resident there. Map Store - Download High-Res Maps and Images, 2023, Bible History | All rights reserved, Beersheba in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE, Mount Moriah in Easton's Bible Dictionary, Mount Moriah in Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Mount Moriah Scripture - 2 Chronicles 3:1. Old Testament Overview - General survey of the Old Testament. His bothers were envious of the preferential treatment Joseph received from Isaac. Genesis 35:26 The sons of Zilpah (Leah's handmaid): Gad and Asher. 2. 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. In Gen 21:31 Abraham and Abimelech took an oath of witness that the former had dug the well and seven ewe lambs were offered in sacrifice, "Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba; because there they sware both of them." 2Ki 2:2,3 But after the destruction of Baal worship by Jehu Bethel comes once more into view. We have to take a personal ownership and responsibility with our relationship with God. Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran with his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and the substance and souls that they had acquired, and traveled to Shechem in Canaan. 4:28). Still there is an oak bearing Abraham's name, 23 ft. in girth, and covering 90 ft. space in diameter. Mizpah. The second, at a hundred yards distance, 5 in diameter, 42 in depth. There might be slight difference . See Map of Old Testament IsraelThe land of Canaan would become the inheritance of the descendants of Abraham, and Jacob his grandson would become the father of the twelve tribes who would inherit the land promised by God. Shechem. . And from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, he bought for a hundred pieces of . Jacob died there 17 years later, and Joseph carried Jacob's remains to the land of Canaan, where he gave them stately burial in the same Cave of Machpelah as were buried Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca and Jacob's wife Leah (Genesis 49:29- 50:14 ) Genesis 26:18 - And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.Leviticus 26:42 - Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.Deuteronomy 30:20 - That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, [and] that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he [is] thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.Genesis 25:21 - And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she [was] barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.Genesis 35:12 - And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.Genesis 27:46 - And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these [which are] of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?Genesis 24:14 - And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: [let the same be] she [that] thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.Joshua 24:4 - And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.Genesis 49:31 - There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.Genesis 22:9 - And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.2 Chronicles 30:6 - So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.Deuteronomy 29:13 - That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and [that] he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.Jeremiah 33:26 - Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, [so] that I will not take [any] of his seed [to be] rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.Deuteronomy 9:5 - Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.Genesis 27:22 - And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice [is] Jacob's voice, but the hands [are] the hands of Esau.Exodus 33:1 - And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, [and] go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:Amos 7:16 - Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not [thy word] against the house of Isaac.Genesis 28:6 - When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;Exodus 32:13 - Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit [it] for ever.Deuteronomy 6:10 - And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,1 Kings 18:36 - And it came to pass at [the time of] the offering of the [evening] sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou [art] God in Israel, and [that] I [am] thy servant, and [that] I have done all these things at thy word.Genesis 22:3 - And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.Genesis 28:13 - And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I [am] the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;Romans 9:7 - Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.Genesis 17:19 - And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, [and] with his seed after him.Genesis 22:2 - And he said, Take now thy son, thine only [son] Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.Genesis 25:20 - And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.Genesis 32:9 - And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:Deuteronomy 1:8 - Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.1 Chronicles 29:18 - O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee: Beersheba in Easton's Bible Dictionary well of the oath, or well of seven, a well dug by Abraham, and so named because he and Abimelech here entered into a compact (Gen. 21:31). 2 Kings 23:8 - And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that [were] in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which [were] on a man's left hand at the gate of the city.2 Samuel 24:2 - For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which [was] with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.Amos 5:5 - But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought.Nehemiah 11:30 - Zanoah, Adullam, and [in] their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and [in] the villages thereof.