שְׁכֶם

From the study of Psalm 60:6

Range of meaning

Shechem is a major city of the central hills (modern Tell Balata near Nablus). Its name means 'shoulder', from its saddle between Ebal and Gerizim. Succoth ('booths') is a town in the Jordan valley east of the river near the Jabbok, often identified with Tell Deir ʿAlla.

Against the English

All versions keep the names. The Septuagint translates Succoth as a common noun: τὴν κοιλάδα τῶν σκηνῶν, 'the valley of the tents'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Jacob, coming back from Paddan-aram, builds booths at Succoth and then camps at Shechem and buys land there (Gen 33:17–20). Shechem was where Abraham first stopped in the land (Gen 12:6), where Joshua renewed the covenant (Josh 24), and where Joseph was buried (Josh 24:32). Succoth was punished by Gideon (Judg 8) and was where Solomon's bronze was cast (1 Kgs 7:46).

From the study of Joshua 20:7

Range of meaning

As a common noun, 'shoulder, back', and figuratively 'ridge, saddle of land'. As a place name it is the city in the pass between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, at modern Tell Balata near Nablus.

Against the English

'Shechem' is a transliteration. Nothing is distorted, but the geographical picture ('Shoulder', the town on the ridge) is lost.

Used elsewhere in the period

It was Abraham's first stopping place and altar in Canaan (Gen 12:6–7), and Jacob bought land and built an altar there (Gen 33:18–20; ch. 34). Covenant ceremonies at Ebal and Gerizim are in Josh 8:30–35 and the covenant renewal in Josh 24:1, 25. Joseph's bones were buried there (Josh 24:32). Abimelech is in Judg 9, and the northern kingdom was split off there and made its first capital (1 Kgs 12:1, 25). Outside the Bible, the Amarna letters of the 14th century BC mention Labayu, a troublesome ruler of the Shechem area (EA 252–254, 289). It is a Levitical city of the Kohathites (Josh 21:21).

From the study of Joshua 21:21

Range of meaning

A place name, Shechem, the same word as shekhem, 'shoulder' or 'ridge'. It is identified with Tell Balata in the pass between Ebal and Gerizim. Shechem was a major Middle and Late Bronze Age city, mentioned in Egyptian texts and in the Amarna letters, where its ruler Labayu appears.

Against the English

English versions simply give the name. What a modern reader misses is how heavily the name was loaded with history for an Israelite.

Used elsewhere in the period

Shechem is where Abram first received the land promise and built an altar (Genesis 12:6–7). Jacob bought land there (Genesis 33:18–20), Joseph's bones were buried there (Joshua 24:32), and the covenant was renewed there (Joshua 8:30–35; 24:1–28). Later it was where Abimelech made himself king (Judges 9) and where the northern tribes broke away (1 Kings 12:1, 25).