4. An ancient city linked with Nablus or, more precisely, with nearby Tell Balata. (Ps 60:6; 108:7; PICTURE, Vol. 1, p. 530) Situated at the E end of the narrow valley running between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, Tell Balata lies about 48 km (30 mi) N of Jerusalem. A good supply of water is available, and just E of the site there is a fertile plain. Anciently Shechem commanded the E-W and N-S roads traversing central Palestine. (Compare Jg 21:19.) Lacking the military advantage of being built on a mountain, the city depended on its fortifications for security.​—Jg 9:35.

Among the tribal allotments in the Promised Land, Shechem seems to have been within Manasseh’s territory, being about 3 km (2 mi) NW of the border town of Michmethath. (Jos 17:7) Since Shechem is described as being “in the mountainous region of Ephraim,” it may have been an Ephraimite enclave city in Manassite territory. (Jos 16:9; 1Ch 6:67)