SAMARIA IN THE LIGHT OF THE SCRIPTURES

Alon Moreh -- The traditional site from which God first promised the Land of Israel to Abraham. (Gen 12:6 Other references: Deut 11:30, Judges 7:1)

Emmanuel/Contemporary Jewish settlement -- visit a modern Orthodox Jewish settlement in this politically sensitive area.

Mt. Gerizim or Mt. of the Blessings -- At 9,514 meters above sea level, this mountain stands slightly lower than its counterpart to the north, Mt. Ebal. Both mountains tower over the city of Shechem (modern Arabic: Nablus). After Israel's victory at Ai, Joshua led the people of Israel here (and Mt. Ebal) to recite the blessings and curses of the Torah as God had commanded. (Deut 11:29; 27:12-13 Josh 8:30-35) Here also the Samaritans erected a temple to rival the Jewish one. John Hyrcanus destroyed it in 129 BCE, fueling the animosity between Jews and Samaritans. The "woman at the well" whom Jesus met in Samaria pointed to Mt. Gerizim when she said, "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain." (John 4:19-24)

Mt. Ebal or Mt. of the Curses -- 10,170 meters above sea level, at the Northern side of the Biblical city of Shechem (modern Arabic: Nablus). Tradition has it that when Israel recounted God's commandments here, the blessings were read from Mt. Gerizim facing, while the curses were read from Mt. Ebal. (Deut 11:29; 27:1-8, 12-13) The "woman at the well" whom Jesus met in Samaria was from the village of Sychar located on the slopes of Mt. Ebal. (John 4:4-6)

Shechem -- Nestled between Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal, this city saw a parade of Biblical heroes, from Abraham to Jacob to Joshua to Jesus, pass through. After the destruction of the temple in 70 CE, a new city was established, "Neapolis", from which comes the present day Palestinian city of Nablus. This was both Abraham and Jacob's first stop in the Holy Land when they came from the East. For the many Biblical references, see: Gen 12:6; 33:18-19; 34:1-31 Deut 27:4-13 Josh 8:30-35; 17:7; 24:1-28; 24:32 Judges 9:1-57 Psalms 60:6; 108:7 1 Kings 12:1-14; 12:25 1 Chr 7:28; 6:67 2 Chr 10:1-19 Jer 41:5 John 4:1-42

Shiloh -- The first religious center for the tribes of Israel after they entered the Land; thus, the dwelling place of the tabernacle before the temple was built in Jerusalem. This is also where Samuel the prophet started his ministry, as well as the site of many other events in Bible history. (1 Samuel 1-2; Joshua 18:1, 8-10; 22:10-12; Judges 21:15-22)

View over Tirza -- View over the old capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria