Nablus

Nablus, corrupted from the Greek Nepolis, the ancient Shechem, a town of Palestine, stands on the highest part of the pass, between Mounts Ebal and Gerizim, that leads from the Mediterranean to the Jordan. In the same valley or gap are Jacob's Well, the Tree of the Sanctuary, and Joseph's grave. At first a Canaanite city, it was destroyed by Abimelech, a son of Gideon the Judge. Here Rehoboam was crowned king of Israel. The place became the religious centre of the Samaritans (q.v.). The Greek city gave birth to Justin Martyr, and suffered much during the Crusades. See Memoirs of Palestine Exploration Fund, vol. iii.