Mount Gerizim

Mount Gerizim, now called Jebel et-Tor, stands near Shechem. God commanded the Israelites to announce blessings from Mount Gerizim and curses from Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy 11:29). The two mountains face each other. Six tribes stood on Mount Gerizim, and six stood on Mount Ebal. The Levites stood in the valley between them and announced the blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 27:11–28:68; Joshua 8:33–35).

Mount Gerizim is about 16 kilometers (10 miles) southeast of the ancient city of Samaria. The Samaritan woman referred to it when she told Jesus, “our fathers worshiped on this mountain” (John 4:20–23). Abraham had built an altar near Shechem (Genesis 12:6–7; 33:18–20). The area became an important place of worship for the Samaritan people.

Jesus told the woman that true worship would not depend on worshiping at Mount Gerizim or in Jerusalem. True worshipers must worship the Father in spirit and truth (John 4:20–23).

Joseph’s bones were buried near Shechem (Joshua 24:32). In the same area, Joshua called the Israelites to renew their loyalty to the God of their ancestors (verses 25–27).

Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, wrote about a temple on Mount Gerizim. According to him, Sanballat promised Manasseh that he could continue serving as a priest. Sanballat also promised to build him a temple like the temple in Jerusalem (Antiquities 11.8.2–4). John Hyrcanus and his forces later destroyed the temple (Antiquities 13.9.1).

A small Samaritan community still lives near Nablus, at the foot of Mount Gerizim. The Samaritans continue to hold religious ceremonies on the mountain.