Shechem: A Crossroads of Covenant, Calamity, and Redemption

Jonathan Moore, D.P.M., Ph.D.

Apologetics Press, Dec. 2025

Tel Balata, the site of ancient Shechem and modern-day Nablus, takes its name from the Hebrew word for “shoulder,” aptly describing its position nestled between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. This location, both strategic and symbolic, served as a pivotal crossroads for trade. Shechem’s verdant valley, sustained by abundant springs and streams, testifies to its natural richness. Situated at the meeting point of critical East-West and North-South trade routes, Shechem became more than just a geographical nexus; it was a theological crossroads where divine promises intersected with human history.