שִׁלֹחַ
Shiloach, a fountain of Jerusalem
Definition
Shiloach (שִׁלֹחַ) is the proper name for a specific water source in Jerusalem, often translated as 'Shiloah' or 'Siloam'. It refers to a gentle, flowing stream or conduit, likely the same pool mentioned in the New Testament (John 9:7). In the Bible, it is explicitly named as the 'waters of Shiloah' in Isaiah 8:6 and as the 'pool of Shelah' (a variant spelling) in Nehemiah 3:15. The word evokes the image of a sent or conducted water supply, distinguishing it from a natural spring or a large river.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times referring to the same Jerusalem water source but in different contexts. In Nehemiah 3:15, it is mentioned geographically as 'the pool of Shelah by the king's garden' during the description of the wall's reconstruction. In Isaiah 8:6, it is used metaphorically: 'the waters of Shiloah that go softly' represent God's gentle, reliable provision for Judah, contrasted with the overwhelming flood of Assyrian military power.
Etymology
The name שִׁלֹחַ (Shilôach) is derived from the root שָׁלַח (shalach, H7971), meaning 'to send' or 'to let go'. It is essentially a noun form meaning 'sent' or 'conducted', likely describing water that was channeled or sent through a conduit. A variant spelling, שֶׁלַח (shelach, H7974), is used in Nehemiah 3:15, which is a more common noun for a 'shoot' or 'sprout', but here it imitates the sound and context of the proper name Shiloach.
Semantic Range
Theologically, Shiloach is significant in Isaiah 8:6 as a symbol of God's quiet, sustaining grace and the security found in trusting Him. Rejecting these 'gentle waters' of divine provision leads to facing the devastating 'river' of Assyrian judgment. This imagery enriches the biblical theme of finding refuge in God's faithful care rather than in human power or alliances. The connection to the Pool of Siloam in the New Testament (John 9:7) further links it to themes of cleansing, healing, and divine mission.
In its original setting, the Waters of Shiloah were a vital water source for ancient Jerusalem, likely fed by the Gihon Spring and channeled through Hezekiah's Tunnel. This engineered water system was a key feature of the city's infrastructure and defense. Culturally, a gently flowing, reliable water source in a dry land was a powerful symbol of life, blessing, and stability provided by God, making Isaiah's metaphorical use immediately understandable to his audience.
There are no direct synonyms as this is a proper place name. Related concepts include: מַעְיָן (ma'yan, H4599) — a spring or fountain, a natural water source; and תְּהוֹם (tehom, H8415) — the deep or abyss, often chaotic waters.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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