Lexical Summary Suchem: Shechem Original Word: Συχέμ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Sychem. Of Hebrew origin (Shkem); Sychem (i.e. Shekem), the name of a Canaanite and of a place in Palestine -- Sychem. see HEBREW Shkem NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin Shekem Definition Shechem, a city in Samaria NASB Translation Shechem (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4966: ΣυχέμΣυχέμ, Hebrew שְׁכֶם (i. e. 'shoulder,' 'ridge'), Shechem (A. V. Sychem (see below)), proper name of: 1. a man of Canaan, son of Hamor (see Ἑμμόρ), prince in the city of Shechem (Genesis 33:19; Genesis 34:2ff): Acts 7:16 R G. 2. a city of Samaria (in the Sept. sometimes Συχέμ, indeclinable, sometimes Σικιμα, genitive Σικιμων, as in Josephus and Eusebius; once τήν Σικιμα τήν ἐν ὄρει Αφραιμ, 1 Kings 12:25 (for still other variant see B. D. (especially American edition) under the word Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting and IdentityShechem lies in the hill country of Ephraim between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, astride the main north–south road through central Canaan. Fed by reliable springs and guarded by natural passes, it became a strategic and spiritual crossroads from patriarchal times through the apostolic era. Foundational Patriarchal Events • Genesis 12:6–7 records Abram’s first altar in the land at “the great tree of Moreh at Shechem,” marking the initial pledge of the land to his seed. Political and Religious Center • Gideon’s son Abimelech attempted to found a kingdom from Shechem, and both his rise and ruin (Judges 9) warn against self-exalting leadership. Stephen’s Testimony (Acts 7:16) “And they were carried back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a price of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.” Stephen cites the common burial site of the patriarchs to prove that God’s redemptive plan pre-dated both the Temple and Jerusalem. His use of Συχέμ (Sychem) in two grammatical forms underscores a single location of covenant continuity: God’s promise is bound neither to one generation nor to one sanctuary. Harmonizing Acts 7:16 with Genesis Critics allege a conflict between Stephen’s statement and Genesis 23; 33. Several conservative resolutions are plausible: 1. Abraham may have acquired an earlier family tomb at Shechem in addition to Machpelah, later finalized by Jacob. Whichever view is adopted, the text affirms rather than undermines Scripture’s reliability by spotlighting the unity of patriarchal faith. Theological Themes Covenant and Land – Shechem frames the first and the final patriarchal acts in Canaan, embodying God’s unbroken pledge of territory and rest. Blessing and Curse – Its location between Gerizim and Ebal symbolizes the choice that Israel—and every generation—must make. Worship without Walls – Altars, covenant stones, and eventually Stephen’s reference all point to a God who meets His people wherever faith responds. Christological Connections Jesus’ ministry at Jacob’s well (John 4:5–42) fulfills centuries of expectation that true worship would transcend geography: “a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). The living water He offers flows from the same God who first revealed Himself to Abram at Shechem. Ministry Implications for Today • Proclaim the faithfulness of God’s promises across generations, using Shechem as a case study. Summary Strong’s Greek 4966 (Συχέμ) points to a locale that anchors pivotal moments from Abram’s first altar to Stephen’s climactic sermon. Shechem stands as a perpetual witness: God secures inheritance, calls for wholehearted allegiance, and gathers worshipers from every nation through the finished work of Christ. Forms and Transliterations Συχεμ Συχέμ Συχὲμ Suchem Sychem Sychém SychèmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 7:16 NGRK: μετετέθησαν εἰς Συχὲμ καὶ ἐτέθησαν NAS: [From there] they were removed to Shechem and laid KJV: into Sychem, and INT: were carried over to Shechem and were placed Acts 7:16 N |