And he erected there an altar, and called it El-elohe-Israel.
After God brought Jacob safely back to Canaan, he bought land at Shechem and erected there the altar. He named the altar El-elohe-Israel, meaning God, the God of Israel. Like Abraham before him, he set the altar beside his tent and called his household to morning and evening sacrifice.
His encampment made Shechem sacred ground, bound ever after to his family history. That association embraced the field later used for Joseph's burial, Jacob's well, and the oak where the household idols were buried.
After God brought Jacob safely back to Canaan, he bought land at Shechem and erected there the altar. He named the altar El-elohe-Israel, meaning God, the God of Israel. Like Abraham before him, he set the altar beside his tent and called his household to morning and evening sacrifice.
His encampment made Shechem sacred ground, bound ever after to his family history. That association embraced the field later used for Joseph's burial, Jacob's well, and the oak where the household idols were buried.