Jacob's Well
A deep well near Shechem tied by tradition to Yaakov
Found 333 — First recorded by the Bordeaux Pilgrim (333 CE); described by Jerome and Arculf; modern measurement by Conrad Schick and the Palestine Exploration Fund (1870s–1880s)
Where Balata, near Tell Balata (Shechem), Nablus, West Bank (West Bank (Palestinian Territories))
Dates from Tradition: patriarchal age; church over it c. 380 CE · Date of the well unknown; tradition attested from the 4th century CE · Yaakov at Shechem (Genesis 33); Yeshua and the Samaritan woman (John 4)
Now at In situ, in the crypt of the Church of St. Photini (Bir Ya'qub), Nablus
How Jacob's Well was found
The well was never lost; churches were built over it in the Byzantine and Crusader periods, and the present Greek Orthodox church of St. Photini was completed in 2007.
What it is
A rock-cut well about 41 meters deep and 2.3 meters wide, fed by groundwater, lying at the foot of Mount Gerizim beside the ancient road. Its stone curb shows deep rope grooves.
Why it matters for the Bible
Genesis says Yaakov bought land near Shechem, and John 4 places 'Jacob's well' there, where Yeshua spoke with the Samaritan woman. The location fits both texts and every ancient witness agrees on it, but the well cannot be dated by excavation, so its patriarchal origin is a tradition, not a proven fact. It is a rare spot where Torah, Gospel, and Samaritan memory meet.
The Hebrew word: MAH-yim chai-YEEM
מַיִם חַיִּים
מַיִם חַיִּים is pronounced MAH-yim chai-YEEM and means living (flowing) water, the phrase Yeshua used at this well (Strong's H4325 + H2416).
People this discovery connects to
- Jacob — יַעֲקֹב (yah-ah-KOV) — heel-grabber, supplanter
- Yeshua — יֵשׁוּעַ (yeh-SHOO-ah) — YHVH saves (Greek Iesous)
Places
- Sychar / Shechem — שְׁכֶם (she-CHEM) — shoulder
Events
Yaakov buys land at Shechem · Yeshua meets the Samaritan woman
Jacob's Well in Scripture
John 4:5-6 Names Jacob's well near the plot Yaakov gave Yosef; this is that traditional site.
Questions people ask
What is Jacob's Well?
A rock-cut well about 41 meters deep and 2.3 meters wide, fed by groundwater, lying at the foot of Mount Gerizim beside the ancient road. Its stone curb shows deep rope grooves.
When was Jacob's Well discovered?
It was found in 333 by First recorded by the Bordeaux Pilgrim (333 CE); described by Jerome and Arculf; modern measurement by Conrad Schick and the Palestine Exploration Fund (1870s–1880s), at Balata, near Tell Balata (Shechem), Nablus, West Bank.
Where is Jacob's Well today?
In situ, in the crypt of the Church of St. Photini (Bir Ya'qub), Nablus.
Which Bible verses does Jacob's Well relate to?
John 4:5-6.
Related discoveries
- עַצְמוֹתJoseph's Tomb at Shechem (Nablus)The domed shrine where tradition says Yosef's bones were buried; never excavated
- מַצֵּבָהShechem (Tell Balata) Temple-FortressThe great Canaanite temple in the city of Avraham's first altar
- גְּרִזִיםTananir Sanctuary on Mount GerizimA Middle Bronze courtyard building above Shechem, once called 'Joshua's altar'
- בֵּית־אֵלBethel (Beitin)The 'house of El' where Jacob dreamed and Israel later worshiped
- גֹּשֶׁןAvaris (Tell el-Dab'a)A Semitic city in the eastern Delta, in the land the Bible calls Goshen
- בְּכֹרָהAlalakh Tablets and the Statue of IdrimiA Syrian city's archives and a king's story that reads like Genesis
Sources
- Wikipedia: Jacob's Well
- Conder & Kitchener, 'Survey of Western Palestine' vol. 2 (1882)