Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 4:5
Verse 5. A city-called Sychar] This city was anciently called Shechem. It seems to have been situated at the foot of Mount Gerizim, in the province of Samaria, on which the temple of the Samaritans was built.
After the ruin of Samaria by Salmanezer, Sychar, or Shechem, became the capital of the Samaritans; and it continued so, according to Josephus, Ant.
l. xi. c. 8, in the time of Alexander the Great. It was about ten miles from Shiloh, forty from Jerusalem, and fifty-two from Jericho. It probably got the name of Sychar, which signifies drunken, from the drunkenness of its inhabitants. With this crime the Prophet Isaiah (Isa. xxviii. 1, 3, 7, 8) solemnly charges the Ephraimites, within whose limits the city stood. This place is remarkable in the Scriptures: 1. As being that where Abram first stopped on his coming from Haran to Canaan. 2. Where God first appeared to that patriarch, and promised to give the land to his seed. 3.
The place where Abram first built an altar to the Lord, and called upon his name, Gen. xii. 7. The present name of this city is Neapolis, or Naplouse. See Calmet.
That Jacob gave to his son Joseph.] Jacob had bought this field from the children of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for a hundred pieces of silver, or lambs, Gen. xxxiii. 19; and in it he built an altar, which he dedicated to El Elohey Yishrael, the strong God, the covenant God of Israel, Gen. xxxiii. 20. This, Jacob left as a private or overplus inheritance to Joseph and his children. See Gen. xlviii. 21, 22, and Josh. xxiv. 32.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 5. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar , etc.] Now called Neapolis f170 ; the same with Sichem, or Shechem, as appears from its situation, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph ; (see Genesis 33:18,19 48:22 Joshua 24:32); and is either the same, only its termination is changed from em into ar, as Achan into Achar, ( 1 Chronicles 2:7). Or it is a new name that was given it, and by which it went in the time of Christ; and might be so called, either from rkws , Socher, which signifies a grave; because here, Joseph and the rest of the patriarchs were buried, ( Joshua 24:32 Acts 7:16). Or rather, it was a name of reproach, and so called, from rk , drunken; since the Ephraimites, the posterity of Joseph, which dwelt in these parts, were infamous for the sin of drunkenness; (see Isaiah 28:1). Hence Sychar Sichem, is drunken Sichem; mention is made in the Talmud f171 , of a place called arkys , Sichra. The parcel of ground, or of a field, as in ( Genesis 33:19 Joshua 24:32), is in the Persic version, called a vineyard; and so Nonnus renders it, a field planted with vines; and which may serve to confirm the above conjecture, concerning Sychar being a nickname.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 4-26 - There was great hatred between the Samaritans and the Jews. Christ' road from Judea to Galilee lay through Samaria. We should not go int places of temptation but when we needs must; and then must not dwell in them, but hasten through them. We have here our Lord Jesus under the common fatigue of travellers. Thus we see that he was truly a man. Toi came in with sin; therefore Christ, having made himself a curse for us submitted to it. Also, he was a poor man, and went all his journeys of foot. Being wearied, he sat thus on the well; he had no couch to res upon. He sat thus, as people wearied with travelling sit. Surely, we ought readily to submit to be like the Son of God in such things a these. Christ asked a woman for water. She was surprised because he di not show the anger of his own nation against the Samaritans. Moderat men of all sides are men wondered at. Christ took the occasion to teac her Divine things: he converted this woman, by showing her ignoranc and sinfulness, and her need of a Saviour. By this living water i meant the Spirit. Under this comparison the blessing of the Messiah ha been promised in the Old Testament. The graces of the Spirit, and his comforts, satisfy the thirsting soul, that knows its own nature an necessity. What Jesus spake figuratively, she took literally. Chris shows that the water of Jacob's well yielded a very short satisfaction Of whatever waters of comfort we drink, we shall thirst again. But whoever partakes of the Spirit of grace, and the comforts of the gospel, shall never want that which will abundantly satisfy his soul Carnal hearts look no higher than carnal ends. Give it me, saith she not that I may have everlasting life, which Christ proposed, but that come not hither to draw. The carnal mind is very ingenious in shiftin off convictions, and keeping them from fastening. But how closely ou Lord Jesus brings home the conviction to her conscience! He severel reproved her present state of life. The woman acknowledged Christ to be a prophet. The power of his word in searching the heart, and convincin the conscience of secret things, is a proof of Divine authority. I should cool our contests, to think that the things we are strivin about are passing away. The object of worship will continue still the same, God, as a Father; but an end shall be put to all difference about the place of worship. Reason teaches us to consult decency an convenience in the places of our worship; but religion gives n preference to one place above another, in respect of holiness an approval with God. The Jews were certainly in the right. Those who by the Scriptures have obtained some knowledge of God, know whom the worship. The word of salvation was of the Jews. It came to othe nations through them. Christ justly preferred the Jewish worship befor the Samaritan, yet here he speaks of the former as soon to be don away. God was about to be revealed as the Father of all believers in every nation. The spirit or the soul of man, as influenced by the Holy Spirit, must worship God, and have communion with him. Spiritual affections, as shown in fervent prayers, supplications, an thanksgivings, form the worship of an upright heart, in which God delights and is glorified. The woman was disposed to leave the matte undecided, till the coming of the Messiah. But Christ told her, I tha speak to thee, am He. She was an alien and a hostile Samaritan, merel speaking to her was thought to disgrace our Lord Jesus. Yet to thi woman did our Lord reveal himself more fully than as yet he had done to any of his disciples. No past sins can bar our acceptance with him, i we humble ourselves before him, believing in him as the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Greek Textus Receptus
ερχεται 2064 5736 V-PNI-3S ουν 3767 CONJ εις 1519 PREP πολιν 4172 N-ASF της 3588 T-GSF σαμαρειας 4540 N-GSF λεγομενην 3004 5746 V-PPP-ASF συχαρ 4965 N-PRI πλησιον 4139 ADV του 3588 T-GSN χωριου 5564 N-GSN ο 3739 R-ASN εδωκεν 1325 5656 V-AAI-3S ιακωβ 2384 N-PRI ιωσηφ 2501 N-PRI τω 3588 T-DSM υιω 5207 N-DSM αυτου 846 P-GSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
5. Then (oun). Not a particle of time, but of logical connection. Therefore, going by this route, He must needs, etc.City. Not implying a place of great size or importance. Compare xi. 54; Matt. ii. 23.
Sychar. Commonly identified with Schechem, the modern Nablous, and regarded as a corruption of Sichem. Some modern authorities, however, argue that a place so famous as Schechem would not be referred to under another name, and identify the site with Askar, about two miles east of Nablous. The name Sychar means drunken-town or lying-town.
Parcel of ground (cwriou). A diminutive from cwra a region.
