Genesis 33:19

Shechem. Hamor is here referred to as Shechem’s father in anticipation of subsequent events involving both of them. It was on the “parcel of a field” purchased from the Shechemites that Jacob dug the well where the memorable conversation took place between Jesus and the Samaritan woman (John 4:6).

An hundred pieces of money. The qesitah is a monetary unit mentioned elsewhere only in Joshua 24:32 and Job 42:11. Apparently, it fell into disuse soon after the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites, for it is never mentioned in the later books of the Bible. Some commentators have suggested that it may have had the value of ten shekels, but this is only a guess. Its value is unknown.

By this purchase Jacob demonstrated his faith in the promise that Canaan was to be his home. Appropriately, this piece of land later fell to the lot of the descendants of his favorite son, Joseph, whose bones were buried here (Joshua 24:32). According to tradition, this piece of land was on the plain that extends from the southeastern opening of the valley of Shechem. Here Jacob’s well (John 4:6) is still pointed out, and Joseph’s tomb a little to the north of it. The latter structure is of Mohammedan origin, as are the traditions concerning it.