[33:2] He explains his own views, however, more clearly in another
place:--
"That this (Sychar) cannot be the large, ancient Sikhem, which, at
the time when the Gospel was written, was probably already generally
called _Neapolis_ in Greek writings, has been already stated; it is
the place still called with an altered Arabic name _Al 'Askar_, east
of Naplus. It is indeed difficult to prove that Sychar could stand
for Sikhem, either through change of pronunciation, or for any other
reason, and the addition [Greek: legomene] does not indicate, here any
more than in xi. 54, so large and generally known a town as Sikhem.
or Flavia Neapolis." [33:3]
Mr. Sanday, [33:4] of whose able work Dr. Lightfoot directly speaks,
says:--
"The name Sychar is not the common one, Sichem, but is a mock title
(='liar' or 'drunkard') that was given to the town by the Jews.
[33:5] This is a clear reminiscence of the vernacular that the
Apostle spoke in his youth, and is a strong touch of nature. It is
not quite certain that the name Sychar has this force, but the
hypothesis is in itself more likely than, &c.... It is not,
however, by any means improbable that Sychar may represent, not
Sichem, but the modern village Askar, which is somewhat nearer to
Jacob's Well.
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