Σιλωάμ

Siloam

Definition

Σιλωάμ (Siloam) refers to a significant water source in ancient Jerusalem, specifically a spring and its associated pool located at the southern end of the city, near the junction of the Tyropoeon and Kidron valleys. In the New Testament, it is mentioned as the location of a tragic accident where a tower fell, killing eighteen people (Luke 13:4). More prominently, it is the pool where Jesus sent a man born blind to wash, resulting in his miraculous healing (John 9:7, 11). The name itself, meaning 'Sent,' is highlighted in John 9:7, creating a thematic link to Jesus's own mission.

Biblical Usage

The word is used exclusively in the New Testament Gospels, appearing three times. In Luke 13:4, it is used geographically to identify the site of a disaster. In John's Gospel (John 9:7, 11), its usage is central to a healing narrative, where Jesus commands the blind man to wash in 'the pool of Siloam (which means Sent).' John provides an explicit interpretation of the name, connecting the place to the concept of being sent by God.

Etymology

Σιλωάμ is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name 'Shiloah' (שִׁלֹחַ) or 'Shelah' (שֶׁלַח), which derives from the Hebrew root שָׁלַח (shalach), meaning 'to send' or 'to dispatch.' This etymological meaning is directly referenced and explained in John 9:7. The spring was likely named for the water being 'sent' or flowing from the Gihon Spring through Hezekiah's Tunnel to the pool.

Semantic Range

In John 9, the Pool of Siloam is theologically significant. John's editorial note that Siloam means 'Sent' (John 9:7) creates a powerful wordplay. The man is sent to the pool called 'Sent' by Jesus, who is himself the one 'sent' by the Father. This connects the physical healing to the spiritual mission of Jesus, illustrating that he is the true source of living water and spiritual sight. Understanding the etymology enriches the passage, revealing it as a symbolic act of obedience that leads to revelation.

The Pool of Siloam was a vital freshwater reservoir for Jerusalem, fed by the Gihon Spring via Hezekiah's Tunnel (2 Chronicles 32:30). It was located in the southern part of the city and was a public gathering place for water collection and ritual purification, especially during festivals like Sukkot. Its waters were used in the temple ceremonies. The tower mentioned in Luke 13:4 was likely part of the fortifications near the pool or the city walls, and its collapse would have been a well-known local tragedy.

πηγή (pēgē, G4077) — A general term for a spring or fountain; Siloam was a specific, named πηγή. κολυμβήθρα (kolymbēthra, G2861) — A pool or reservoir for bathing; the Pool of Siloam is a κολυμβήθρα.

Word Details

Scripture References