Shechem, Mount Gerizim, and Mount Ebal Note: Smith’s Bible Dictionary was published in the 1800s, so geographical and other information may be outdated. Deu 11:26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; Deu 11:27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: Deu 11:28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. Deu 11:29 And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal. —Deuteronomy 11:26–29 Note: The blessings are mentioned first. The word translated “blessing” is Strong’s 1293, and the word translated “curse” is Strong’s 7045 (see The Blessings and the Cursings below). Shechem Many of the events connected with Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim are also connected with the city of Shechem. Mt. Ebal was north of Shechem, and Mt. Gerizim was south of Shechem. Looking at the etymology (below) of the word “Shechem,” it seems that Shechem was the “neck,” and Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal were the “shoulders.” “Ebal” and “Gerizim” seem to have somewhat opposite meanings. “Gerizim” (see below) means “cut up” or “rocky,” while Ebal ( see below) comes from a root meaning “bald” and means “bare.” It kind of reminds of unhewn stones (Gerizim, the mountain of blessing) and hewn stones (Ebal, the mountain of cursing). Shechem, Strong’s 7927, Sh kem, shek-em’; the same as 7926; ridge; Shekem, a place in e Pal.:—Shechem.
Transcript
Shechem, MountGerizim, andMount Ebal
Note: Smith’s Bible Dictionary was published inthe 1800s, so geographical and other informationmay be outdated.
Deu 11:26 Behold, I set before you this daya blessing and a curse; Deu 11:27 A blessing, if ye obey thecommandments of the LORD your God, whichI command you this day: Deu 11:28 And a curse, if ye will not obeythe commandments of the LORD your God,but turn aside out of the way which Icommand you this day, to go after othergods, which ye have not known. Deu 11:29 And it shall come to pass, whenthe LORD thy God hath brought thee in untothe land whither thou goest to possess it, thatthou shalt put the blessing upon mountGerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal. —Deuteronomy 11:26–29
Note: The blessings are mentioned first. Theword translated “blessing” is Strong’s 1293,and the word translated “curse” is Strong’s7045 (see The Blessings and the Cursingsbelow).
Shechem
Many of the events connected with Mt. Ebaland Mt. Gerizim are also connected with the city of Shechem. Mt. Ebal was north of Shechem, and Mt.Gerizim was south of Shechem.
Looking at the etymology (below) of the word “Shechem,” it seems that Shechem was the “neck,” andMt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal were the “shoulders.” “Ebal” and “Gerizim” seem to have somewhat oppositemeanings. “Gerizim” (see below) means “cut up” or “rocky,” while Ebal (see below) comes from a rootmeaning “bald” and means “bare.” It kind of reminds of unhewn stones (Gerizim, the mountain ofblessing) and hewn stones (Ebal, the mountain of cursing).
Shechem, Strong’s 7927, Sh kem, shek-em’; the same as 7926; ridge; Shekem, a place ine
Pal.:—Shechem.
Strong’s 7926, sh kem, shek-em’; from 7925; the neck (between the shoulders) as the place ofe
burdens; fig. the spur of a hill:—back, x consent, portion, shoulder.
Strong’s 7925, shâkam, shaw-kam’; a prim. root; prop. to incline (the shoulder to a burden); but usedonly as denom. from 7926; lit. to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e. to start early in thenorning:—(arise, be up, get [oneself] up, rise up) early (betimes), morning.
From Smith’s Bible Dictionary —SHECH’EM (ridge). SICHEM (Gen. xxxiii. 18). It is not certain whether thecity was named from Shechem, the son of Hamor, or that he was named after the city. It is on top of theridge between the waters of the Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea, between Ebal and Gerizim (Judg. ix.7). Called Sychar in John iv. 5, in the story of the meeting of Jesus and the woman of Samaria. NowNablus (Neapolis, so named by Vespasian—Jos., B. J., iv. 8, 1). Also known as Mabortha (Pliny v. 13). Thesituation is a favored one, and excites the admiration of all travelers, Dr. Clarke saying, that “there isnothing finer in all Palestine.” The valley is sheltered by a high mountain on each side, and only about1500 ft. wide, and elevated 1800 ft. above the sea. Water flows from the city E. and W. to the Jordan,and to the Mediterranean sea. The valley is full of gardens, orchards of all kinds of fruits, watered byfountains, and enlivened by the songs of birds. Abraham, on his first visit to the Land of Promise, pitchedhis tent under the oak of Moreh (Gen. xii. 6). Jacob bought a field of the children of Hamor (Gen.xxxiii.19), where he dug a well, about a mile from the present town, and left it as a special patrimony toJoseph (Josh. xxiv. 32). Shechem was given to Ephraim (Josh. xx. 7), was assigned to the Levites, andwas made a City of Refuge (Josh. xxi.20, 21). The people assembled at Shechem to hear the law ofMoses read, “half of them over against Mt. Gerizim, and half of them over against Mt. Ebal,” the chief menand the priests being around the ark in the midst (Josh. viii. 30–35); and again Joshua gathered all thetribes here just before his death (xxiv.), and delivered his last counsels. Abimelech raised a revolt inShechem, and was made king (Judg. ix.); and Jotham denounced him and the men of Shechem from thetop of Gerizim (ver. 22), and after 3 yrs. he destroyed the city and the strong tower that was in the city,but lost his own life also (ver. 53). The ten tribes made Jeroboam their king and Shechem their capital (1K. xii. 20). When the people were carried away to Babylon the city was colonized from Assyria (2 K. xvii.24), and again admitted strangers under Esar-haddon (Ezr. iv. 2). The present town of Nablus has about5,000 people, living in stone houses of very ordinary style, except those of the wealthy sheikhs. Thereare no fine public buildings. There are not less than 80 springs of water in the valley. One of the largest,Ain Balata, rises in a chamber partly under ground, a few rods from Jacob’s well. Olives, figs, almonds,walnuts, mulberries, pomegranates, oranges, apricots, and grapes, about, besides vegetables of everysort. There are manufactories of wool, silk, and camel’s-hair cloth, and especially of soap; and the districtaround it is rich in wool, grain and oil. As a confirmation of the truth and accuracy, even to minute detail,it is interesting to cite the words of the original Hebrew, describing this spot, on which Joseph’s tombstands, which are, CHELKAT HAS-SADE, meaning a dead-level; differing from SHEFELAH, (a plain), and emek (avalley), and this description is exactly correct—and besides, there is no other spot like it in all Palestine.
Shechem Defiles Dinah
Gen 33:18 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when hecame from Padan-aram; and pitched his tent before the city. Gen 33:19 And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the childrenof Hamor, Shechem’s father, for an hundred pieces of money. Gen 33:20 And he erected there an altar, and called it Elelohe-Israel. Gen 34:1 And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughtersof the land. Gen 34:2 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her,
and lay with her, and defiled her. Gen 34:3 And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spakekindly unto the damsel. Gen 34:4 And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, “Get me this damsel to wife.” Gen 34:5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle inthe field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come. Gen 34:6 And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him. Gen 34:7 And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved,and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob’s daughter; whichthing ought not to be done. Gen 34:8 And Hamor communed with them, saying, “The soul of my son Shechem longeth for yourdaughter: I pray you give her him to wife. Gen 34:9 And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters untoyou. Gen 34:10 And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and trade ye therein, andget you possessions therein.” Gen 34:11 And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, “Let me find grace in your eyes,and what ye shall say unto me I will give. Gen 34:12 Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: butgive me the damsel to wife.”Gen 34:13 And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said,because he had defiled Dinah their sister: Gen 34:14 And they said unto them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that isuncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us: Gen 34:15 But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you becircumcised; Gen 34:16 Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we willdwell with you, and we will become one people. Gen 34:17 But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and wewill be gone.”Gen 34:18 And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor’s son. Gen 34:19 And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob’sdaughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father. Gen 34:20 And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with themen of their city, saying, Gen 34:21 “These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; forthe land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us givethem our daughters. Gen 34:22 Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if everymale among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised. Gen 34:23 Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? only let usconsent unto them, and they will dwell with us.”Gen 34:24 And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of hiscity; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city. Gen 34:25 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob,Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slewall the males. Gen 34:26 And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah outof Shechem’s house, and went out.
Gen 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled theirsister. Gen 34:28 They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, andthat which was in the field, Gen 34:29 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiledeven all that was in the house. Gen 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among theinhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shallgather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.” Gen 34:31 And they said, “Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?”
Jacob Hides His Family’s Strange Gods and Earrings Under an Oak byShechem
Gen 35:1 And God said unto Jacob, “Arise, go up to Beth-el, and dwell there: and make there an altarunto GOD, That appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.’ Gen 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, “Put away the strange godsthat are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: Gen 35:3 And let us arise, and go up to Beth-el; and I will make there an altar unto GOD, Who answeredme in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.” Gen 35:4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earringswhich were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. Gen 35:5 And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them,and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.
Jacob Sends Joseph to Find Brothers in Shechem
Gen 37:12 And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem. Gen 37:13 And Israel said unto Joseph, “Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and Iwill send thee unto them.” And he said to him, “Here am I.” Gen 37:14 And he said to him, “Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well withthe flocks; and bring me word again.” So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came toShechem. Gen 37:15 And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the manasked him, saying, “What seekest thou?” Gen 37:16 And he said, “I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.” Gen 37:17 And the man said, “They are departed hence; for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’”And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.
Shechem the Manassite There was also apparently a Shechem of the Manassites. References are included here, but he is not Shechem theson of Hamor, who was the Shechem who was associated with the original naming of the location. Maybe thename occurs in the family because Shechem is where Jacob met his wives and spent a number of years.
Jos 20:1 The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying, Jos 20:2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spakeunto you by the hand of Moses: Jos 20:3 That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shallbe your refuge from the avenger of blood. Jos 20:4 And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate ofthe city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the cityunto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. Jos 20:5 And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into hishand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime. Jos 20:6 And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and untilthe death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto hisown city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.’” Jos 20:7 And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, andKirjath-arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. Jos 20:8 And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wildernessupon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan inBashan out of the tribe of Manasseh. Jos 20:9 These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger thatsojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die bythe hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.
Jos 21:19 All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs. Jos 21:20 And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children ofKohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim. Jos 21:21 For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for theslayer; and Gezer with her suburbs, Jos 21:22 And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Beth-horon with her suburbs; four cities. Jos 21:23 And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, Gibbethon with her suburbs, Jos 21:24 Aijalon with her suburbs, Gath-rimmon with her suburbs; four cities.
I Chronicles Account
1Ch 6:66 And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribeof Ephraim. 1Ch 6:67 And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with hersuburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs, 1Ch 6:68 And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Beth-horon with her suburbs, 1Ch 6:69 And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gath-rimmon with her suburbs:
The Elders of Israel Present Themselves Before God at Shechem
Jos 24:1 And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, andfor their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.
Jos 24:2 And Joshua said unto all the people, “Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, ‘Your fathers dwelt onthe other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: andthey served other gods. Jos 24:3 And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout allthe land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac. Jos 24:4 And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; butJacob and his children went down into Egypt. Jos 24:5 I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them:and afterward I brought you out. Jos 24:6 And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursuedafter your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea. Jos 24:7 And when they cried unto the LORD, He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, andbrought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt:and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season. Jos 24:8 And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; andthey fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyedthem from before you. Jos 24:9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent andcalled Balaam the son of Beor to curse you: Jos 24:10 But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out ofhis hand. Jos 24:11 And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought againstyou, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites,and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand. Jos 24:12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kingsof the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow. Jos 24:13 And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and yedwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat. Jos 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD , and serve Him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the godswhich your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD . Jos 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD , choose you this day whom ye will serve;whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of theAmorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD .” Jos 24:16 And the people answered and said, “God forbid that we should forsake the LORD , to serveother gods; Jos 24:17 For the LORD our God, He it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt,from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the waywherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: Jos 24:18 And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in theland: therefore will we also serve the LORD ; for He is our God.”Jos 24:19 And Joshua said unto the people, “Ye cannot serve the LORD : for He is an holy God; He is ajealous GOD; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. Jos 24:20 If ye forsake the LORD , and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, andconsume you, after that He hath done you good. Jos 24:21 And the people said unto Joshua, “Nay; but we will serve the LORD.” Jos 24:22 And Joshua said unto the people, “Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosenyou the LORD , to serve Him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” Jos 24:23 “Now therefore put away,” said he, “the strange gods which are among you, and incline yourheart unto the LORD God of Israel.”
Jos 24:24 And the people said unto Joshua, “The LORD our God will we serve, and His voice will weobey.” Jos 24:25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and anordinance in Shechem. Jos 24:26 And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God, and took a great stone, andset it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD. Jos 24:27 And Joshua said unto all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hathheard all the words of the LORD which He spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest yedeny your God.” Jos 24:28 So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance. Jos 24:29 And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD,died, being an hundred and ten years old. Jos 24:30 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-serah, which is in mountEphraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash. Jos 24:31 And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlivedJoshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that He had done for Israel.
Children of Israel Bury Joseph’s Bones in Shechem
Jos 24:32 And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried theyin Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem foran hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph. Jos 24:33 And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas hisson, which was given him in mount Ephraim.
Gideon’s Concubine in Shechem Gives Birth to abimelech
Jdg 8:30 And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives. Jdg 8:31 And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he calledAbimelech. Jdg 8:32 And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre ofJoash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. Jdg 8:33 And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, andwent a whoring after Baalim, and made Baal-berith their god. Jdg 8:34 And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, Who had delivered them outof the hands of all their enemies on every side: Jdg 8:35 Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all thegoodness which he had shewed unto Israel.
Abimelech Stirs Up Men of Shechem
Note: This account includes Jotham’s parable atop Mt. Gerizim. The story is repeated in the Mt. Gerizim sectionbelow.
Jdg 9:1 And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren, andcommuned with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying, Jdg 9:2 “Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, ‘Whether is better for you, either that allthe sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you?remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.’”
Jdg 9:3 And his mother’s brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words:and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, “He is our brother.” Jdg 9:4 And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith,wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him. Jdg 9:5 And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal,being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son ofJerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. Jdg 9:6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and madeAbimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem. Jdg 9:7 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted uphis voice, and cried, and said unto them, “Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearkenunto you. Jdg 9:8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree,‘Reign thou over us.’ Jdg 9:9 But the olive tree said unto them, ‘Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour Godand man, and go to be promoted over the trees?’ Jdg 9:10 And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come thou, and reign over us.’ Jdg 9:11 But the fig tree said unto them, ‘Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go tobe promoted over the trees?’ Jdg 9:12 Then said the trees unto the vine, ‘Come thou, and reign over us.’ Jdg 9:13 And the vine said unto them, ‘Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and goto be promoted over the trees?’ Jdg 9:14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, ‘Come thou, and reign over us.’ Jdg 9:15 And the bramble said unto the trees, ‘If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and putyour trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. Jdg 9:16 Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and ifye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving ofhis hands; Jdg 9:17 (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand ofMidian: Jdg 9:18 And ye are risen up against my father’s house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore andten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the menof Shechem, because he is your brother;) Jdg 9:19 If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoiceye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you: Jdg 9:20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the houseof Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devourAbimelech.” Jdg 9:21 And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech hisbrother. Jdg 9:22 When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel, Jdg 9:23 Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men ofShechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech: Jdg 9:24 That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and theirblood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, whichaided him in the killing of his brethren. Jdg 9:25 And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbedall that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech. Jdg 9:26 And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men
of Shechem put their confidence in him. Jdg 9:27 And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, andmade merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech. Jdg 9:28 And Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we shouldserve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father ofShechem: for why should we serve him? Jdg 9:29 And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech.” Andhe said to Abimelech, “Increase thine army, and come out.” Jdg 9:30 And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger waskindled. Jdg 9:31 And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and hisbrethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee. Jdg 9:32 Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field: Jdg 9:33 And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set uponthe city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thoudo to them as thou shalt find occasion.” Jdg 9:34 And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid waitagainst Shechem in four companies. Jdg 9:35 And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: andAbimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait. Jdg 9:36 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Behold, there come people down fromthe top of the mountains.” And Zebul said unto him, “Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if theywere men.” Jdg 9:37 And Gaal spake again and said, “See there come people down by the middle of the land, andanother company come along by the plain of Meonenim.” Jdg 9:38 Then said Zebul unto him, “Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, ‘Who isAbimelech, that we should serve him?’ is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I praynow, and fight with them.” Jdg 9:39 And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech. Jdg 9:40 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown andwounded, even unto the entering of the gate. Jdg 9:41 And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they shouldnot dwell in Shechem. Jdg 9:42 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they toldAbimelech. Jdg 9:43 And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field,and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, andsmote them. Jdg 9:44 And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in theentering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in thefields, and slew them. Jdg 9:45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the peoplethat was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt. Jdg 9:46 And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of thehouse of the god Berith. Jdg 9:47 And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. Jdg 9:48 And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; andAbimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on hisshoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, “What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do
as I have done.” Jdg 9:49 And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and putthem to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem diedalso, about a thousand men and women. Jdg 9:50 Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it. Jdg 9:51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and allthey of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower. Jdg 9:52 And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door ofthe tower to burn it with fire. Jdg 9:53 And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech’s head, and all to brake hisskull. Jdg 9:54 Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, “Draw thysword, and slay me, that men say not of me, ‘A woman slew him.’” And his young man thrust himthrough, and he died. Jdg 9:55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto hisplace. Jdg 9:56 Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying hisseventy brethren: Jdg 9:57 And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon themcame the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
Defeated Benjamites Take Wives in Shiloh, East of the Highway fromBeth-el to Shechem
Jdg 21:15 And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had made a breach inthe tribes of Israel. Jdg 21:16 Then the elders of the congregation said, “How shall we do for wives for them that remain,seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?” Jdg 21:17 And they said, “There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that atribe be not destroyed out of Israel. Jdg 21:18 Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children of Israel have sworn,saying, ‘Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.’” Jdg 21:19 Then they said, “Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly in a place which is on thenorth side of Beth-el, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Beth-el to Shechem, and on thesouth of Lebonah.”Jdg 21:20 Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, “Go and lie in wait in thevineyards; Jdg 21:21 And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then comeye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the landof Benjamin. Jdg 21:22 And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we willsay unto them, ‘Be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife inthe war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty.’” Jdg 21:23 And the children of Benjamin did so, and took them wives, according to their number, ofthem that danced, whom they caught: and they went and returned unto their inheritance, and repairedthe cities, and dwelt in them. Jdg 21:24 And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to his tribe and to hisfamily, and they went out from thence every man to his inheritance.
Rehoboam tries to take kingship of israel in Shechem
I Kings Account
1Ki 12:1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. 1Ki 12:2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (forhe was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) 1Ki 12:3 That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, andspake unto Rehoboam, saying, 1Ki 12:4 “Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father,and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.” 1Ki 12:5 And he said unto them, “Depart yet for three days, then come again to me.” And the peopledeparted. 1Ki 12:6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father whilehe yet lived, and said, “How do ye advise that I may answer this people?” 1Ki 12:7 And they spake unto him, saying, “If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wiltserve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.” 1Ki 12:8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with theyoung men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: 1Ki 12:9 And he said unto them, “What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who havespoken to me, saying, ‘Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?’” 1Ki 12:10 And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, “Thus shalt thouspeak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, ‘Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou itlighter unto us;’ thus shalt thou say unto them, ‘My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins. 1Ki 12:11 And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: myfather hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.’” 1Ki 12:12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed,saying, “Come to me again the third day.” 1Ki 12:13 And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gavehim; 1Ki 12:14 And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yokeheavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you withscorpions.” 1Ki 12:15 Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that hemight perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 1Ki 12:16 So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king,saying, “What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, OIsrael: now see to thine own house, David.” So Israel departed unto their tents. 1Ki 12:17 But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned overthem. 1Ki 12:18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him withstones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee toJerusalem. 1Ki 12:19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
II Chronicles Account
2Ch 10:1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.
2Ch 10:2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, whither he hadfled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt. 2Ch 10:3 And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam,saying, 2Ch 10:4 “Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievousservitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.” 2Ch 10:5 And he said unto them, “Come again unto me after three days.” And the people departed. 2Ch 10:6 And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his fatherwhile he yet lived, saying, “What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?” 2Ch 10:7 And they spake unto him, saying, “If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speakgood words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.” 2Ch 10:8 But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the youngmen that were brought up with him, that stood before him. 2Ch 10:9 And he said unto them, “What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, whichhave spoken to me, saying, ‘Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?’” 2Ch 10:10 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, “Thus shalt thouanswer the people that spake unto thee, saying, ‘Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou itsomewhat lighter for us;’ thus shalt thou say unto them, ‘My little finger shall be thicker than my father’sloins. 2Ch 10:11 For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my fatherchastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.” 2Ch 10:12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade,saying, “Come again to me on the third day.” 2Ch 10:13 And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the oldmen, 2Ch 10:14 And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yokeheavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.” 2Ch 10:15 So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD mightperform His word, which He spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 2Ch 10:16 And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answeredthe king, saying, “What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse:every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house.” So all Israel went to theirtents. 2Ch 10:17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned overthem. 2Ch 10:18 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israelstoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, toflee to Jerusalem. 2Ch 10:19 And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
Jeroboam Becomes King of Israel and Builds Shechem in Mt. Ephraim 1Ki 12:20 And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent andcalled him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed thehouse of David, but the tribe of Judah only. 1Ki 12:21 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with thetribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight againstthe house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. 1Ki 12:22 But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
1Ki 12:23 “Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judahand Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying, 1Ki 12:24 Thus saith the LORD, ‘Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel:return every man to his house; for this thing is from Me.’” They hearkened therefore to the word of theLORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD. 1Ki 12:25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out fromthence, and built Penuel.
Shechem in the Psalms
Shechem appears in only two Psalms, both of which David wrote. Interestingly, both contain the phrase, “I willdivide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.” Shechem was west of the Jordan, and Succoth was east ofthe Jordan. Gilead and part of Manasseh were east of the Jordan, and Ephraim and Judah were west of theJordan. Bullinger says David identifies these areas to represent the conquering of the whole of Canaan.
Psalm 60
Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, when Joabreturned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand.
Psa 60:1 O God, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast scattered us, Thou hast been displeased; O turnThyself to us again. Psa 60:2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble; Thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for itshaketh. Psa 60:3 Thou hast shewed Thy people hard things: Thou hast made us to drink the wine ofastonishment. Psa 60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.Selah. Psa 60:5 That Thy beloved may be delivered; save with Thy right hand, and hear me. Psa 60:6 God hath spoken in His holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley ofSuccoth. Psa 60:7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is mylawgiver; Psa 60:8 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me. Psa 60:9 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom? Psa 60:10 Wilt not Thou, O God, Which hadst cast us off? and Thou, O God, Which didst not go outwith our armies? Psa 60:11 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Psa 60:12 Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies.
To the chief musician upon Neginah.
Psalm 108
A Song or Psalm of David.
Psa 108:1 O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Psa 108:2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. Psa 108:3 I will praise Thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto Thee among the
nations. Psa 108:4 For Thy mercy is great above the heavens: and Thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Psa 108:5 Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and Thy glory above all the earth; Psa 108:6 That Thy beloved may be delivered: save with Thy right hand, and answer me. Psa 108:7 God hath spoken in His holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valleyof Succoth. Psa 108:8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is mylawgiver; Psa 108:9 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph. Psa 108:10 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom? Psa 108:11 Wilt not Thou, O God, Who hast cast us off? and wilt not Thou, O God, go forth with ourhosts? Psa 108:12 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Psa 108:13 Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is That shall tread down our enemies.
To the chief Musician.
Shechem in the Prophets
Ishmael the Son of Nethaniah Slays Men of Shechem, Shiloh, andSamaria
Jer 41:1 Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son ofElishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah theson of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah. Jer 41:2 Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smoteGedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king ofBabylon had made governor over the land. Jer 41:3 Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and theChaldeans that were found there, and the men of war. Jer 41:4 And it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it, Jer 41:5 That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men,having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incensein their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD. Jer 41:6 And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along ashe went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, “Come to Gedaliah the son ofAhikam.” Jer 41:7 And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniahslew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him. Jer 41:8 But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, “Slay us not: for we have treasuresin the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey.” So he forbare, and slew them not amongtheir brethren. Jer 41:9 Now the pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slainbecause of Gedaliah, was it which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: and Ishmaelthe son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain.
Mount GERIZIM
Gerizim, Strong’s 1630, G rîzîym, gher-ee-zeem’; plur. of an unused noun from 1629 [comp. 1511], cute
up (i.e. rocky); Gerizim, a mountain of Pal.:—Gerizim.
Strong’s 1629, gâraz, gaw-raz’; a prim. root; to cut off:—cut off.
From Smith’s Bible Dictionary—GERIZ’IM (desert or shorn). S. of Shechem. The law was given on Mt.Sinai, and the blessing and the cursing on the two mountains Ebal and Gerizim (see EBAL). Jotham stoodon G. when he denounced Abimelech (Judg. ix.). When Alexander took Palestine, he gave Sanballat (thePersian governor under Darius) permission to build a temple on Mt. G.;* and Manasseh, brother ofJaddua the high priest at Jerusalem, was made high priest at Shechem, about 420 B.C. This temple wasdestroyed by the Jews, 129 B.C. The ruins are still shown. The Samaritans worship here yet, withouttemple or altar. The view from the summit is one of the finest in Palestine, commanding the deep blue ofthe Great Sea, snowy Mt. Hermon, purple Gilead and Moab, and the lovely green valley of Mokhna at itsfoot.
*Josephus references this temple in the Antiquities. See Antiquities 11.8.6 and 11.8.7.
Jotham’s Parable from Atop Mt. Gerizim
Jdg 9:6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and madeAbimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem. Jdg 9:7 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted uphis voice, and cried, and said unto them, “Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearkenunto you. Jdg 9:8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree,‘Reign thou over us.’ Jdg 9:9 But the olive tree said unto them, ‘Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour Godand man, and go to be promoted over the trees?’ Jdg 9:10 And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come thou, and reign over us.’ Jdg 9:11 But the fig tree said unto them, ‘Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go tobe promoted over the trees?’ Jdg 9:12 Then said the trees unto the vine, ‘Come thou, and reign over us.’ Jdg 9:13 And the vine said unto them, ‘Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and goto be promoted over the trees?’ Jdg 9:14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, ‘Come thou, and reign over us.’ Jdg 9:15 And the bramble said unto the trees, ‘If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and putyour trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars ofLebanon.’ Jdg 9:16 Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and ifye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving ofhis hands; Jdg 9:17 (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand ofMidian: Jdg 9:18 And ye are risen up against my father’s house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore andten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the menof Shechem, because he is your brother;)
Jdg 9:19 If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoiceye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you: Jdg 9:20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the houseof Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devourAbimelech.” Jdg 9:21 And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech hisbrother.
Mount Ebal
Ebal Strong’s 5858, ‘Êybâl, ay-bawl’; perh. from an unused root prob. mean. to be bald; bare; Ebal, amountain of Pal.:—Ebal.
From Smith’s Bible Dictionary—E’BAL. Mt. N. of Shechem (Deut. xi. 29). Moses charged the Israelites toput the blessing on Mt. Gerizim, and the curse upon Mt. Ebal. Both mts. are now terraced and cultivated,from bottom to top, by fine gardens. Ebal is 2700 feet high; Gerizim 2600 above the sea, and about1000 above Shechem. The valley is about 600 ft. wide.
Moses Commands Israelites to Set Up Stones at Mt. Ebal
Deu 27:1 And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep all thecommandments which I command you this day. Deu 27:2 And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thyGod giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister: Deu 27:3 And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, thatthou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk andhoney; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee. Deu 27:4 Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which Icommand you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister. Deu 27:5 And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not liftup any iron tool upon them. Deu 27:6 Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burntofferings thereon unto the LORD thy God: Deu 27:7 And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God. Deu 27:8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”
Joshua Builds an Altar to Yahveh in Mt. Ebal
Jos 8:30 Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, Jos 8:31 As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the bookof the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offeredthereon burnt offerings unto the LORD , and sacrificed peace offerings. Jos 8:32 And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in thepresence of the children of Israel. Jos 8:33 And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and onthat side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD , as well thestranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them
over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they shouldbless the people of Israel. Jos 8:34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to allthat is written in the book of the law. Jos 8:35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all thecongregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversantamong them.
The Blessings and the Curses
the Words “Bless,” “Blessings,” “Curse,” and “Cursed”
bless - Strong’s 1288, bârak, baw-rak’; a prim. root; to kneel; by impl. to bless God (as an act ofadoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, astreason):—x abundantly, x altogether, x at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, x greatly, x indeed,kneel (down), praise, salute, x still, thank.
blessings - Strong’s 1293, B râkâh, ber-aw-kaw’; from 1288; benediction; by impl. prosperity:—blessing,e
Strong’s 7043, qâlal, kaw-law’; a prim. root; to be (caus. make) light, lit. (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or fig.(easy, trifling, vile, etc.):—abate, make bright, bring into contempt (ac-) curse, despise, (be) ease (-y, -ier), (be a, make, make somewhat, move, seem a , set) light (-en, -er, -ly, -ly afflict, -ly, esteem, thing), xslight [-ly], be swift (-er), (be, be more, make, re-) vile, whet.
cursed - Strong’s 779, ’ârar, aw-rar’; a prim. root; to execrate:—x bitterly curse.
The Charge
The word translated “cursed” in these verses is Strong’s 779.
Deu 27:11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying, Deu 27:12 “These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan;Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin: Deu 27:13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun,Dan, and Naphtali.
The Blessings
Specific words for the blessings, if any, are not given.
The Curses
Deu 27:14 And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice, Deu 27:15 ‘Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD ,the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place.’ And all the people shall answer
and say, ‘Amen.’ Deu 27:16 ‘Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother.’ And all the people shall say,‘Amen.’ Deu 27:17 ‘Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Deu 27:18 ‘Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way.’ And all the people shall say,‘Amen.’ Deu 27:19 ‘Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow.’ And allthe people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Deu 27:20 ‘Cursed be he that lieth with his father’s wife; because he uncovereth his father’s skirt.’ And allthe people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Deu 27:21 ‘Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Deu 27:22 ‘Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of hismother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Deu 27:23 ‘Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Deu 27:24 ‘Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Deu 27:25 ‘Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person.’ And all the people shall say,‘Amen.’ Deu 27:26 ‘Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them.’ And all the peopleshall say, ‘Amen.’
tribes that blessed and cursed
All of the tribes that Yahveh chose to bless were of Jacob’s wives. Yahveh chose all of the tribes thatdescended from the concubines of Leah and Rachel to curse. He also chose two of Leah’s sons’descendants to curse.
Joseph let him add Rachel a ewe 11 Taurus 9 Manasseh -olive branch,bundle ofarrows
Ephraim - ox,bull, unicorn
Benjamin son of theright hand
Rachel a ewe 12 Gemini 10 wolf
Tribes that cursed (mt. ebal)
Tribe NameMeaning
Mother Mother’sNameMeaning
BirthOrder
Zodiac Sign ZodiacSignOrder
Tribal Emblem
Reuben see ye ason
Leah weary 1 Aquarius 6 man/water
Gad to crowdupon (i.e.attack)
Zilpah fragrantdropping
7 Aries 8 troop ofhorsemen
Asher happy Zilpah fragrantdropping
8 Sagittarius 4 goblet
Zebulun habitation Leah weary 10 Virgo 1 ship
Dan judge Bilhah timid 5 Scorpio 3 serpent/horse
Naphtali mywrestling
Bilhah timid 6 Capricornus 5 leaping hind
Terms
Aaron (175) of uncert. der.Abimelech (40) father of (the) kingAbraham (85) father of a multitudeAhijah (281) brother (i.e. worshiper) of YahAhikam (296) brother of rising (i.e. high)Aijalon (357) deer-fieldAram-naharaim (763) Aram (of) the two riversAram-zobah (760) Aram of TsobaArumah (725) heightBaal-berith (1170) Baal (of) the covenantBaalim (1168) master; husband; ownerBalak (1111) wasterBeor (1160) a lampBeth-el (1008) house of GodBeth-horon (1032) house of hollownessBezer (1221) an inaccessible spotCanaan (3667) humiliatedDinah (1783) justiceDothan (1886) of uncert. der.Ebal (5858) bareEbed (5651) a servantEdom (123) redEleazar (499) God (is) helperElishama (476) God of hearingEphraim (669) double fruitEsau (6215) rough (i.e. sensibly felt)Gaal (1603) loathingGad (1408) fortuneGalilee (1551) a circleGath-rimmon (1667) wine-press of (the)
pomegrananteGedaliah (1436) Yah has become greatGerizim (1630) cut up (i.e. rocky)Gezer (1507) something cut off; a portionGilead (1568) heap of testimonyGirgashites (1622) of ucert. der.Golan (1474) captiveHadoram (1913) prob. of for. der.Hamor (2544) a male ass (from its dun red)Hebron (2275) seat of associationHittites (2850) terrorHivite/Hivites (2340) a villagerIshmael (3458) God will hearIsrael (3478) he will rule as GodJacob (3290) heel-catcherJebusites (2983) trodden, i.e. threshing-placeJeroboam (3379) (the) people will contendJerubbaal (3378) Baal will contendJokmeam (3361) (the) people will be raisedJordan (3383) a descenderJoseph (3130) let him add (or perh. simply act.
part. adding)Joshua (3091) Yahveh-savedJudah (3063) celebratedKedesh (6943) a sanctumKibzaim (6911) a double heapKirjath-arba (7153) city of the four giantsKohath (6955) alliedLebonah (3829) frankincense (from its whiteness
or perh. that of its smoke)Levites (3881) attachedMeonenim (6049) cover; cloud over; act covertlyMizpah (4709) an observatory, espec. for military
purposesMoab (4124) from (her [the mother’s]) fatherNachor (5152) snorerNaphtali (5321) my wrestlingNebat (5028) regardNeginah (5058) instrumental music; stringed
instrument; poem set to music; epigramNethaniah (5418) given of YahNun (5126) perpetuityPadan-aram (6307) the table-land of AramPenuel (6349) ebulliation, i.e. frothPerizzites (6522) inhab. of the open countryPhinehas (6372) mouth of a serpentRamoth (7418) a height (as a seat of idolatry)Rehoboam (7346) a people has enlargedSamaria (8111) watch-stationShalem (8003) complete; friendlyShaphan (8227) a species of rock-rabbit (from its
hiding), i.e. prob. the hyraxShechem (7927) ridgeShemaiah (8098) Yah has heardShiloh/Shilonite (7887/7888) tranquilSuccoth (5523) boothsTerah (8646) of uncert. der.Thebez (8405) whitenessTimnath-Serah (8556) portion of (the) sunZalmon (6756) shadyZebul (2083) dwellingZippor (6834) a little bird (as hopping)
