“Sychar” is thought by some to be another name for Schechem, but is more probably a separate village today named Askar.  Eusebius and the Talmud both record that Sychar was a separate entity from Schechem. Sychar is located on the piece of ground that Jacob bought from the Canaanites and where Joseph was later buried when his body was brought out of Egypt during the Exodus. (Gen 33:19, 48:22, Josh 24:32) The word “Sychar” is of Hebrew derivation and means “drunken.”  The village may have gotten its name from the reputation of the area for a weakness for that particular sin.  Sychar was located in what had been the tribal territory of Ephraim which fact, when coupled with the indictment found in Isaiah 28:1 would lend credence to this theory.

Genesis 33:19  For a hundred pieces of silver, he bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of ground where he pitched his tent.

Genesis 48:22  And to you, as one who is over your brothers, I give the ridge of land I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.”

Joshua 24:32  And Joseph’s bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the tract of land that Jacob bought for a hundred pieces of silver from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. This became the inheritance of Joseph’s descendants.

Isaiah 28:1  Woe to that wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards, to the fading flower, his glorious beauty, set on the head of a fertile valley—to that city, the pride of those laid low by wine!