SECT. IV. Why it is written Sychar and not Sychem.
IF Sychem and Sychar be one and the same City, why should not the name be the same?
I. This may happen from the common Dialect, wherein it is very usual to change the letters. So Reuben in the Syriack Version is Rubil, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Rubelus in Josephus; by what Etymology let him tell, and explain it if you can: Speaking of Leah bringing forth* 1.1 Reuben he thus expresseth himself, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And having brought forth a male-child, and obtaining favour from her husband by it, she call'd his name Rubel, because it happened to her according to the mercy of God, for this his name signifies. Perhaps he might at that time think of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which imports the encrease of God.
It would be endless to reckon up such variations of letters in proper names, but as to the letter R, which is our business at present, take these few instances.
Nebuchad-nezzar is elswhere Nebuchad-rezzar; Belial is Beliar; Shepham, by the Greek Interpreters 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Sephamar, Numb. XXXIV. 11. so Sychem, Sychar; and this so much the rather, because the letters R and M have obtain'd I know not what kind of re∣lation and affinity one with another. So Dammesek and Darmesek in the Holy Scriptures; and the Sarmatians are the Samatians in Dionysius Afer, &c.
Or secondly, it might happen that the Jews by way of scoff and opprobrium, might vul∣garly call Sychem, Sychar; either that they might stigmatize the Samaritans as drunkards, Isa. XXVIII. 1. Wo to the drunkards of Ephraim. Or, (as the word might be variously writ and pronounc'd) might give them some or other disgraceful mark as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies pre∣varicating; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a mercenary, or hireling; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a sepulchre. So Aruch in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Sochere, i. e. sepulchres. He quotes a place, where the words are not as they are by him* 1.2 cited, nor is he consistent with himself in the Interpretation. But Munster hath 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a sepulchre. If it be thus, perhaps 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Sychem might be call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Sychar, because there the twelve Patriarchs were bury'd; and under that notion the Samaritans might glory in that name.