Temple at Shechem

The temple at Shechem appears to date to the Middle Bronze Age, with at least two significant building phases (Wright, Shechem, 80–122). It was roughly 69 feet long by 75 feet wide, with an entrance hall that was 23 feet by 16 feet. The worship area consisted of an altar and two sacred standing stones with deep grooves that were placed near the entrance area. These were originally thought to have been water troughs, but were later identified as masseboth (מַצֵּבֹת, matstsevoth), or sacred stones. The temple was destroyed by Abimelech (Judg 9:45–49) and apparently was never rebuilt.