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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 4:5 So He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/4-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/43_Jhn_04_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 4:5 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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<a href="/nasb/john/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; <a href="/nasb77/john/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> So He came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; <a href="/lsb/john/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; <a href="/amp/john/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So He arrived at a Samaritan town called Sychar, near the tract of land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; <a href="/csb/john/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> so he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar near the property that Jacob had given his son Joseph. <a href="/hcsb/john/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> so He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar near the property that Jacob had given his son Joseph. <a href="/asv/john/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph: <a href="/cev/john/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and on his way he came to the town of Sychar. It was near the field that Jacob had long ago given to his son Joseph. <a href="/erv/john/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph: <a href="/gwt/john/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He arrived at a city in Samaria called Sychar. Sychar was near the piece of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. <a href="/gnt/john/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> In Samaria he came to a town named Sychar, which was not far from the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. <a href="/isv/john/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the piece of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. <a href="/msb/john/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. <a href="/net/john/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Now he came to a Samaritan town called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. <a href="/nheb/john/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> So he came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son, Joseph. <a href="/wbt/john/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then he cometh to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground, that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. <a href="/wey/john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and so He came to Sychar, a town in Samaria near the piece of land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. <a href="/web/john/4.htm">World English Bible</a> So he came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> He comes, therefore, to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the place that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; <a href="/blb/john/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore He comes to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. <a href="/ylt/john/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> He cometh, therefore, to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the place that Jacob gave to Joseph his son; <a href="/slt/john/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Then comes he to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the place which Jacob gave to Joseph his son.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> He cometh therefore to a city of Samaria, which is called Sichar, near the land which Jacob gave to his son Joseph. <a href="/cpdv/john/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Therefore, he went into a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the estate which Jacob gave to his son Joseph. <a href="/nabre/john/4.htm">New American Bible</a> So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. <a href="/nrsvce/john/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then he came to a Samaritan city, called Sychar, near the field which Jacob had given to his son Joseph. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he came to a Samaritan city called Shikar, beside the village that Jaqob had given to his son Joseph.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> He came, therefore, to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. <a href="/godbey/john/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Then He comes into a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the place which Jacob gave to his son Joseph. <a href="/haweis/john/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sichar, near the spot of ground which Jacob gave to his son Joseph. <a href="/mace/john/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> he came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the piece of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. <a href="/wey/john/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and so He came to Sychar, a town in Samaria near the piece of land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. <a href="/worrell/john/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> He cometh, therefore, to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the piece of land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; <a href="/worsley/john/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> near the piece of ground which Jacob gave to his son Joseph. <a href="/parallel/john/4-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=930" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/4.htm">Jesus and the Samaritan Woman</a> …4Now He had to pass through Samaria. 5<a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">So</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: erchetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- To come, go. ">He came</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="/greek/4172.htm" title="4172: polin (N-AFS) -- A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.">a town</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4540.htm" title="4540: Samareias (N-GFS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Samaria, a city and region of Palestine.">of Samaria</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legomenēn (V-PPM/P-AFS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">called</a> <a href="/greek/4965.htm" title="4965: Sychar (N-AFS) -- Sychar, a city of Samaria. Of Hebrew origin; Sychar, a place in Palestine.">Sychar,</a> <a href="/greek/4139.htm" title="4139: plēsion (Prep) -- Near, nearby, a neighbor. Neuter of a derivative of pelas; close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. Fellow.">near</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5564.htm" title="5564: chōriou (N-GNS) -- A place, piece of land, field, property, estate. Diminutive of chora; a spot or plot of ground.">plot of ground</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: ho (RelPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">that</a> <a href="/greek/2384.htm" title="2384: Iakōb (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jacob, the progenitor of the Israelites.">Jacob</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: edōken (V-AIA-3S) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">had given</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">to</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: huiō (N-DMS) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">son</a> <a href="/greek/2501.htm" title="2501: Iōsēph (N-DMS) -- Joseph, a proper name. Of Hebrew origin; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">Joseph.</a> 6Since Jacob’s well was there, Jesus, weary from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/33-18.htm">Genesis 33:18-19</a> After Jacob had come from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan, and he camped just outside the city. / And the plot of ground where he pitched his tent, he purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver. <a href="/genesis/48-22.htm">Genesis 48:22</a> And to you, as one who is above your brothers, I give the ridge of land that I took from the Amorites with my sword and bow.” <a href="/joshua/24-32.htm">Joshua 24:32</a> And the bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought up out of Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the plot of land that Jacob had purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver. So it became an inheritance for Joseph’s descendants. <a href="/genesis/12-6.htm">Genesis 12:6</a> Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the Oak of Moreh at Shechem. And at that time the Canaanites were in the land. <a href="/genesis/33-18.htm">Genesis 33:18</a> After Jacob had come from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan, and he camped just outside the city. <a href="/genesis/37-12.htm">Genesis 37:12-14</a> Some time later, Joseph’s brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks near Shechem. / Israel said to him, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flocks at Shechem? Get ready; I am sending you to them.” “I am ready,” Joseph replied. / Then Israel told him, “Go now and see how your brothers and the flocks are faring, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. And when Joseph arrived in Shechem, <a href="/genesis/48-7.htm">Genesis 48:7</a> Now as for me, when I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died along the way in the land of Canaan, some distance from Ephrath. So I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath” (that is, Bethlehem). <a href="/acts/7-16.htm">Acts 7:16</a> Their bones were carried back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a price he paid in silver. <a href="/genesis/28-19.htm">Genesis 28:19</a> and he called that place Bethel, though previously the city had been named Luz. <a href="/genesis/35-4.htm">Genesis 35:4</a> So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem. <a href="/genesis/35-27.htm">Genesis 35:27</a> Jacob returned to his father Isaac at Mamre, near Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed. <a href="/genesis/49-29.htm">Genesis 49:29-30</a> Then Jacob instructed them, “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. / The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. <a href="/genesis/50-25.htm">Genesis 50:25</a> And Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath and said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” <a href="/1_kings/13-32.htm">1 Kings 13:32</a> for the message that he cried out by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel and against all the shrines on the high places in the cities of Samaria will surely come to pass.” <a href="/2_kings/17-24.htm">2 Kings 17:24</a> Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then comes he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.the parcel.<a href="/genesis/33-19.htm">Genesis 33:19</a> And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of money.<a href="/genesis/48-22.htm">Genesis 48:22</a> Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.<a href="/joshua/24-32.htm">Joshua 24:32</a> And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/24-42.htm">Bit</a> <a href="/john/1-44.htm">City</a> <a href="/luke/23-26.htm">Field</a> <a href="/john/2-15.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/luke/20-37.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/john/1-45.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/psalms/108-7.htm">Parcel</a> <a href="/luke/24-42.htm">Piece</a> <a href="/mark/3-6.htm">Plot</a> <a href="/john/4-4.htm">Samaria</a> <a href="/john/4-4.htm">Samar'ia</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/13-26.htm">Bit</a> <a href="/john/4-8.htm">City</a> <a href="/john/10-16.htm">Field</a> <a href="/john/6-10.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/john/4-6.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/john/6-42.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/33-19.htm">Parcel</a> <a href="/john/13-26.htm">Piece</a> <a href="/acts/4-25.htm">Plot</a> <a href="/john/4-7.htm">Samaria</a> <a href="/john/4-7.htm">Samar'ia</a><div class="vheading2">John 4</div>1. <a href="/john/4-1.htm">Jesus talks with a woman of Samaria, and reveals his identity to her.</a> 27. <a href="/john/4-27.htm">His disciples marvel.</a> 31. <a href="/john/4-31.htm">He declares to them his zeal for God's glory.</a> 39. <a href="/john/4-39.htm">Many Samaritans believe on him.</a> 43. <a href="/john/4-43.htm">He departs into Galilee, and heals the ruler's son that lay sick at Capernaum.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar Sychar is believed to be the modern-day village of Askar, located near the ancient city of Shechem. This area is significant in biblical history, as it was a central location in the land of Samaria, which was often at odds with Judea. The Samaritans were a mixed race, resulting from the Assyrian conquest and resettlement, and they had their own version of the Pentateuch and worship practices, which caused tension with the Jews. Jesus' decision to travel through Samaria and engage with its people was countercultural and demonstrated His mission to reach all people, breaking down ethnic and religious barriers.near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph This plot of ground is historically significant, as it is associated with Jacob, one of the patriarchs of Israel. According to <a href="/genesis/33-19.htm">Genesis 33:19</a> and <a href="/joshua/24-32.htm">Joshua 24:32</a>, Jacob purchased this land and later bequeathed it to Joseph, whose bones were eventually buried there. This connection to Jacob and Joseph highlights the deep historical and spiritual roots of the location, emphasizing the continuity of God's promises to the patriarchs. The reference to Jacob and Joseph also foreshadows Jesus as the fulfillment of God's covenant, as He brings a new covenant that transcends the old.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who is traveling through Samaria. 2. <a href="/topical/s/sychar.htm">Sychar</a> A town in Samaria, significant for its historical and religious context, as it is near Jacob's well. 3. <a href="/topical/s/samaria.htm">Samaria</a> A region between Judea and Galilee, often avoided by Jews due to historical enmity and religious differences. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a> A patriarch in the Hebrew Bible, who had given this plot of land to his son Joseph, establishing a deep historical connection. 5. <a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a> Jacob's son, whose inheritance of the land ties the account to the promises and history of the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/historical_significance.htm">Historical Significance</a> Understanding the historical and cultural context of Sychar and Samaria enriches our comprehension of Jesus' ministry and the barriers He broke. <a href="/topical/b/breaking_barriers.htm">Breaking Barriers</a> Jesus' journey through Samaria and His interaction with the Samaritan woman demonstrate His mission to reach all people, regardless of societal divisions. <a href="/topical/l/living_water.htm">Living Water</a> The setting of Jacob's well introduces the theme of living water, symbolizing the spiritual life and satisfaction found in Christ alone. <a href="/topical/h/heritage_and_promise.htm">Heritage and Promise</a> The reference to Jacob and Joseph connects Jesus' ministry to the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs, emphasizing continuity in God's redemptive plan. <a href="/topical/w/witness_and_evangelism.htm">Witness and Evangelism</a> Jesus' presence in Samaria foreshadows the spread of the Gospel beyond Jewish boundaries, encouraging believers to share the message of Christ with all nations.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 4</a> <a href="/q/why_is_jacob's_well_important.htm">What is the significance of Jacob's Well?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_all_the_names_in_the_bible.htm">What are all the names in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_would_a_rabbi_talk_to_a_samaritan_woman.htm">What evidence supports that a Jewish rabbi would openly converse with a Samaritan woman, considering the strong cultural barriers in John 4:9? </a> <a href="/q/evidence_of_jacob's_land_purchase_at_shechem.htm">Where is the archaeological or historical corroboration for Jacob purchasing land and setting up an altar at Shechem in Genesis 33:18–20? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) The "Samaria" of this chapter is the province into which the older kingdom had degenerated, and which took its name from the capital city. This was the Shom?ron built by Omri, on a hill purchased from Shemer (<a href="/context/1_kings/16-23.htm" title="In the thirty and first year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign over Israel, twelve years: six years reigned he in Tirzah.">1Kings 16:23-24</a>). The city was given by Augustus to Herod the Great, who rebuilt it, and called it after the Emperor, Sebaste, a name which survives in the modern village Sebustieh.Sychar involves questions of greater uncertainty. The reading may be regarded as beyond doubt, the attempts to substitute "Sychem," or "Sichem" being obviously made to avoid the topographical difficulty. The older geographers, followed by many modern commentators, suppose the word to be an intentional variation of the word Sychem, by which the Jews expressed their contempt for the city of the Samaritans, the sound being very nearly that of the Hebrew words for "lie" and "drunken." Others suppose the change of termination is a natural dialectic variation. (Comp. Ben, the Hebrew for son, as in Benjamin, <a href="/genesis/35-18.htm" title="And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.">Genesis 35:18</a>, which in the later language became Bar, as in Simon Bar-Jona, <a href="/matthew/16-17.htm" title="And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but my Father which is in heaven.">Matthew 16:17</a>.) These explanations assume that Sychar is the same place as Shechem; but it is very improbable that St. John would have spoken of a city so well known as Shechem with the prefix "which is called," or would have thought it necessary to define it as "near to the parcel of ground. . . ." The only other places with the same prefix are Ephraim (<a href="/john/11-54.htm" title="Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went there to a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.">John 11:54</a>), the Pavement (<a href="/john/19-13.htm" title="When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.">John 19:13</a>), and Golgotha (<a href="/john/19-17.htm" title="And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:">John 19:17</a>), but in the latter instances, as in the mention of Thomas called Didymus (<a href="/john/11-16.htm" title="Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.">John 11:16</a>; <a href="/john/20-24.htm" title="But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.">John 20:24</a>), the words do not imply a soubriquet (comp. Farrar, Life of Christ, i. 206, note, and Grove in Smith's Dictionary of Bible, "Sychar"), but are a citation of the names in Hebrew and Greek, for the benefit of Greek readers. To assert that Sychar is meant to convey a double meaning is to imply that this would be understood by readers for whom it is necessary to translate Gabbatha and Golgotha, Thomas and Cephas (<a href="/john/1-42.htm" title="And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, You are Simon the son of Jona: you shall be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.">John 1:42</a>), for whom Messias has been rendered in Greek in <a href="/john/1-41.htm" title="He first finds his own brother Simon, and said to him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.">John 1:41</a>, and is to be again in this very discourse (<a href="/john/4-25.htm" title="The woman said to him, I know that Messias comes, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.">John 4:25</a>). Shechem, moreover, was then known by the Greek name Neapolis, which has become the present Napl-s (see Ewald in loc., and comp. Jos. Wars, iv.), and this name would have been as natural in this Gospel as, e.g., Tiberias, which is found in it only (<a href="/john/6-1.htm" title="After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.">John 6:1</a>; <a href="/john/6-23.htm" title="(However, there came other boats from Tiberias near to the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)">John 6:23</a>; <a href="/john/21-1.htm" title="After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise showed he himself.">John 21:1</a>). Nor can it be said that Shechem was near to Jacob's well, for admitting that the old city extended considerably "farther eastward than at present," it must still have been more than a mile distant. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 5. - He cometh therefore to a city of Samaria, called Sychar (Συχάρ, with all the principal uncials; not Σιχάρ, as read by the Elzevir edition of Stephens, with one cursive, 69); not "the city" Shechem - the Συχέμ of <a href="/acts/7-16.htm">Acts 7:16</a>, or Σίκιμα of Josephus (<a href="/genesis/33-18.htm">Genesis 33:18</a>; <a href="/joshua/20-7.htm">Joshua 20:7</a>; <a href="/judges/9-7.htm">Judges 9:7</a>) - not Sebaste (Samaria), but "a city," one of the cities requiring special designation beyond its mere name, which would hardly have been necessary, if so renowned a spot as the metropolis of the ancient kingdom, or the ancient patriarchal city of Shechem or Sychem, had been thought cf. The similarity of the names Sychar and Sichem led many to suppose that John confounded either the names or the places. Those who were anxious to undervalue the accuracy of the author have attributed it to mistake. Schenkel still sees the error of a Gentile Christian. Others have supposed that the word meaning "town of drunkards" (<a href="/isaiah/28-1.htm">Isaiah 28:1</a>, שֵׁכָר), or "town of liars" <a href="/habakkuk/2-18.htm">Habakkuk 2:18</a>, שֶׁקֶר), was intentionally applied by John to Shechem, or that some provincial pronunciation of the name of the old city had thus been commemorated. Hengstenberg suggested that Sychar was a suburb of Siehem or Shechem, and Robinson placed the latter much nearer to Jacob's welt than the present Nablous. Tholuck gave a philosophical solution - that m and r in the two words, being liquids, were interchanged; and Meyer at one time held that John simply applied the vulgar name. Jerome ('Quaest. Web. in <a href="/genesis/48.htm">Genesis 48</a>.') said it was a corruption of the name Sichem. But Eusebius discriminated Shechem from Sychar in his 'Onomasticon,' sub voce; and a place called Sochar or Sichra is mentioned, and also its "well," in the Talmud. Delitzsch ('Zeitsehrift flit Luth. Theol.,' 1856) has quoted seven passages which refer to the place as the birthplace of rabbis, and as having been alternately occupied by Jews and Samaritans. Moreover, in late years, Palestine explorers have found, within half a mile of Jacob's well, a village, El 'Askar, preserving to the present day the old name. Nor has the name been in late years drawn from this narrative and given to this insignificant village, for a Samaritan chronicle, dating from the twelfth century, preserves the name as Iskar. A priori it is far more probable that a woman of Sychar, than one of Shechem, should have come to draw water, in consequence of the nearer proximity of the former "city" than of the latter to Jacob's well. It is further characterized as near to the parcel of ground which Jacob gave to his son Joseph. In <a href="/genesis/33-19.htm">Genesis 33:19</a>; <a href="/genesis/34-25.htm">Genesis 34:25</a>; <a href="/genesis/48-22.htm">Genesis 48:22</a> (LXX.); <a href="/joshua/24-32.htm">Joshua 24:32</a>, we see that Jacob's treaty with the sons of Humor, and the summary violence of his sons in punishment of Dinah's dishonour, were treated by him as giving him special possession in Shechem (the LXX., in <a href="/genesis/48-22.htm">Genesis 48:22</a>, have translated the word for "portion," שְׁכֶם as Σίκιμα, erroneously supposing that the word was a proper name, instead of an allusive play on the word "Shechem"), and he solemnly bequeathed it to Joseph. In <a href="/joshua/24-32.htm">Joshua 24:32</a> we find the bones of Joseph were deposited there. (Knobel translates <a href="/genesis/48-22.htm">Genesis 48:22</a> as the portion which he, Jacob, (by his sons) would win (not had won) with sword and bow.) Geiger, 'Urschrift.,' p. 80 (referred to by Edersheim, i.e., 1:404), shows that St. John's interpretation of Genesis is perfectly in harmony with rabbinic tradition. <a href="/commentaries/john/4-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>So οὖν (oun) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. He came ἔρχεται (erchetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. to εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. a town πόλιν (polin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4172.htm">Strong's 4172: </a> A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town. of Samaria Σαμαρείας (Samareias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4540.htm">Strong's 4540: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Samaria, a city and region of Palestine. called λεγομένην (legomenēn) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. Sychar, Συχὰρ (Sychar) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4965.htm">Strong's 4965: </a> Sychar, a city of Samaria. Of Hebrew origin; Sychar, a place in Palestine. near πλησίον (plēsion) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4139.htm">Strong's 4139: </a> Near, nearby, a neighbor. Neuter of a derivative of pelas; close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. Fellow. the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. plot of ground χωρίου (chōriou) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5564.htm">Strong's 5564: </a> A place, piece of land, field, property, estate. Diminutive of chora; a spot or plot of ground. Jacob Ἰακὼβ (Iakōb) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2384.htm">Strong's 2384: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jacob, the progenitor of the Israelites. had given ἔδωκεν (edōken) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. to τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. son υἱῷ (huiō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship. Joseph. Ἰωσὴφ (Iōsēph) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2501.htm">Strong's 2501: </a> Joseph, a proper name. Of Hebrew origin; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/4-5.htm">John 4:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/4-5.htm">John 4:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/4-5.htm">John 4:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/4-5.htm">John 4:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/4-5.htm">John 4:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/4-5.htm">John 4:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/4-5.htm">John 4:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/4-5.htm">John 4:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/4-5.htm">John 4:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/4-5.htm">John 4:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/4-5.htm">NT Gospels: John 4:5 So he came to a city (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/4-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 4:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 4:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/4-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 4:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 4:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>