Shechem

Welcome to the magnificent and historically layered site of ancient Shechem, known locally today as Tel Balata, situated squarely within the modern Palestinian city of Nablus. As you stand here, take a deep breath of the air…

We begin our exploration at the imposing Northwest Gate of ancient Shechem, the very threshold of the city. As you approach these ruins, pay close attention to the sheer size of the stones that make up the foundation. …

Having passed through the monumental gate, we now step into the sacred precinct of the city, an open courtyard that served as the religious focal point for ancient Shechem. Beneath your feet is a history of profound spiritual…

Directly behind the sacrificial altar, dominating the archaeological site, lie the massive foundational outlines of a monumental building. This is the infamous Temple of Baal Berith, also designated by archaeologists as Temple 2B. …

Just outside the entrance to the Fortress Temple stands one of the most remarkable and controversial artifacts in all of biblical archaeology: a large, broken, upright stone resting in a carved stone socket. This is a massebah, a…

Leaving the immediate ruins of Tel Balata, we take a short walk to a deeply venerated, yet highly contested, religious site: the traditional Tomb of Joseph. Access to this small compound is often restricted due to its location at…

As we continue our journey away from the ancient tell, we approach the magnificent Greek Orthodox Church of St. Photini, which houses our next profoundly significant site. …

We now descend the stone steps beneath the main altar of the Greek Orthodox Church, entering a small, dimly lit crypt that houses the undisputed crown jewel of Shechem: Jacob's Well. Positioned at the center of the room is the…

Emerging from the cool crypt of Jacob's Well and stepping back out into the bright Mediterranean sunlight, take a moment to look up and survey the towering topography that defines this valley. To your immediate south is Mount…

As we conclude our audio journey through the ruins and holy sites of Shechem, let us gather our thoughts and reflect on the overarching theme that binds these scattered stones together. If one single word could encapsulate the…