Συχέμ
Sychém
G4966 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun designating a city in central Samaria, known in biblical literature as Shechem. Occasionally used as a personal name. Primarily refers to a geographic location, occasionally to its inhabitant or eponymous ancestor. In Koine and LXX usage, denotes a significant settlement located between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal.
Semantic Range
a geographic location in central Samaria; the ancient city of Shechem; (rarely) a Canaanite person or clan leader
Root / Etymology
Borrowed from the Hebrew שְׁכֶם (Shekhem), meaning 'shoulder' or 'ridge,' referring either to the topographical feature or possibly to a person. The Greek Συχέμ is a direct transliteration from the Hebrew.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, Shechem is an ancient city associated with patriarchal narratives and covenant traditions. In Greek sources (LXX, Josephus, New Testament), Συχέμ consistently refers to this city, which was a central location for Samaritans and an early cultic and social center for Israelites. Its mention in Acts 7:16 refers to the city in a summary of Israelite ancestral history. English translations traditionally render it 'Shechem' or 'Sychem.' The name may also appear as a personal designation in earlier Hebrew texts, but in Greek literature, it nearly exclusively denotes the place. The name bears the historical connotations of ancient Canaanite, then Israelite, then Samaritan residence and significance, but does not carry additional metaphorical or religious senses in Greek usage. Contrast to nearby topographical designations (e.g., Ἐφραῒμ/Ephraim, Γαριζίν/Garizin).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Hebrew origin (שְׁכֶם); Sychem (i.e. Shekem), the name of a Canaanite and of a place in Palestine:--Sychem.
Root Family
Συχέμ (Sychém) — city, place name, (rarely) personal name
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4966-01 |
Συχὲμ | suchem | N ACC F SG |
Sychem | Shechem | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences