Shechem (Nabulus), on the side of Gerizim, was the first spot on which Abram built an altar (Gen. xii. 6); hence it is the most anciently sacred place in Hebrew history. This altar Jacob rescued from the Amorites (Gen. xlviii. 22), rebuilt and surrounded with a parcel of land he bought (Gen. xxxiii. 18–20), which became the burial-place of the Patriarchs (Acts vii. 16). It was the scene of the slaughter of the Shechemites by Simeon and Levi (Gen. xxxiv. 25); under a famous oak Jacob buried the Aramite gods, around which

oak Joshua assembled the Israelites for sacrifice, and to read out the blessings (from Gerizim) and curses (from Ebal) of the Law, immediately on entering the Promised Land; and here again he assembled them to renew the covenant before he died, when he set up a pillar as a witness (Josh. xxiv. 26). At this pillar Abimelech was made king, and Rehoboam met the heads of tribes, who sought redress. Here the ten tribes revolted, and made Jeroboam their king. Its site is still known as "The Pillar." At that well of Jacob (300 paces S.E.) our Lord conversed with the Samaritan woman (John iv.). It was then the chief city of the Samaritan sect, a remnant of whom still reside there. A mile from it to the E. is Joseph's tomb.