Sukhar is mentioned in the Bible, mentioned by Bishop Eusebius (164:1-4), and also mentioned by many early Church Fathers and travelers, now known as “Askar” near Nablus (Coord. 177.180) Saint Jerome (Ironimus), quoting Eusebius, says that “Sokhar” is a corruption of the name “Shechem”, and that the name “Sokhar” appeared as “Shechem” in ancient Syriac manuscripts.
Sukhar means liar or drunkard (see Isaiah 28:1, 7), and in the time of the Franks (Crusaders) it was known as Shechem (Nablus), and as a result of archaeological explorations it was identified as “Askar”, a small Samaritan town located south of Mount Ebal, near Jacob’s Well.