Shechem was the place where the Lord had originally promised Abram that he would give the land of Canaan to his descendants (Genesis 12:5–7). Abram built an altar in response to the Lord’s promises. By building an altar to the Lord on Mount Ebal, in the same area as was done by Abram, the conquest of the land of Canaan is directly connected with the promises God made to Abraham. The location is thus a testimony to the faithfulness of God.1
Shechem was also the place where Jacob bought land and erected an altar (Genesis 33:18–20), the city eventually becoming his family home (Genesis 35:4; Genesis 37:12–14).
30 At that time Joshua built an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal,