Filmed on location at the very place Jesus met with the Samaritan woman in Sychar (Shechem). See this story and the place where it happened like never before.
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Location
1. Biblical Shechem is also known as Sychar in the New Testament, and as Tel Balata and Nablus, today.
2. Shechem is located about 30 miles (48 km.) north of Jerusalem and about 30 miles (48 km.) northeast of Tel Aviv.
3. It was in the Samaria region of Israel in the territory of Ephraim during Bible times.
4. It was on a main north-south travel route that linked the northern and southern parts of Israel.
5. It was also on a main east-west route that linked the coastal plain of Israel with the Jordan Valley.
6. Shechem lies between the two famous mountains of Gerizim and Ebal.
Historical Background
1. Shechem had a significant role in the Bible and is mentioned 58 times.
2. God first appeared to Abraham in Shechem and gave him the promise that he would inherit the land.
3. Abraham and Jacob lived here.
4. Jacob lived here and built a well.
5. Joseph’s bones are buried here.
6. The blessings and curses given on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal took place here.
7. Joshua rallied all Israel and made a covenant with them in Shechem.
8. Abimelech, son of Gideon, reigned wickedly over Shechem for three years. It was he who burned down the fortress temple here called, "El-Berith," and killed 1,000 people who had taken refuge in it. Later, he was killed by a woman who threw a millstone down on his head.
9. The nation of Israel became divided in Shechem.
10. Shechem became the capital of the northern tribes of Israel under King Jeroboam’s rule.
11. The Samaritans worshiped on top of Mount Gerizim and there are substantial ruins there today.
The Samaritans first built a temple here for worship in the 5th century. Later, in the 2nd century, they built walls around the temple to protect it.
In the latter part of the 2nd century, the Hasmoneans (Jewish rule from 165-63 BC) destroyed the Samaritan’s temple on Mount Gerizim and the city at the base of the mountain (ancient Shechem).
During the Roman occupation of Israel, the Samaritans were given permission by the Romans to rebuild their temple and city.
In 475 AD, under Byzantine rule, the Samaritan temple was destroyed, and a Byzantine church was erected. Later, a monastery was built as well.
12. Jesus met with a Samaritan woman (John 4) at Jacob’s Well in Shechem. Today, this well is located in a Greek Orthodox church called, "The Church of Jacob's Well."
13. The Samaritans were a small group of unfaithful Israelites who remained in the land of Israel and intermarried with foreign unbelievers after the deportation of Israel by the Assyrians in 722 BC. They established their own religion at Mount Gerizim and built their own temple. They were despised and rejected by the Jews and considered unclean. The Samaritans, likewise, despised the Jews and had few dealings with them. The Samaritans only believe in the Torah (first 5 books of the Old Testament).
Places of Interest
1. Tel Balata
Joshua’s Stone (Erected after Joshua made a covenant with the Israelites)
Sacred Courtyard
2. Mount Gerizim
3. Jacob’s Well (120 feet, 40 m. deep)
4. Joseph’s Tomb
5. Modern Shechem (Nablus)