Sychar

Sychar is a biblical place name mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Gospel of John. It is identified with the town of Askar, located near the ancient Samaritan city of Shechem, at the foot of Mount Gerizim in the West Bank. The most famous event associated with Sychar is the encounter between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at a well, which is recounted in John chapter 4. According to the Gospel, Jesus, while traveling from Judea to Galilee, stopped at Jacob's Well, which was located near Sychar. There, he met a Samaritan woman drawing water and engaged in a theological discussion about worship and living water. The narrative highlights the cultural and religious divisions between Jews and Samaritans at the time. The etymology of Sychar is debated, with some scholars suggesting it relates to the Hebrew word for "lie" or "falsehood," possibly reflecting a negative view held by some Jews towards Samaritans. Others propose connections to roots meaning "to turn" or "to be fruitful." Modern archaeological and geographical studies have largely corroborated the location of Sychar in the vicinity of ancient Shechem. The site of Jacob's Well remains a significant pilgrimage destination for Christians and is venerated by some other religious traditions as well.