Lexical Summary Shiloach: Siloam Original Word: שִׁלֻּחָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shiloah, Siloah Or (in imitation of Shelach) Shelach (Neh. 3:15) {sheh'-lakh}; from shalach; rill; Shiloach, a fountain of Jerusalem -- Shiloah, Siloah. see HEBREW Shelach see HEBREW shalach Brown-Driver-Briggs III. שֶׁ֫לַח proper name in ׳בְּרֵכַת הַשּׁ Nehemiah 3:15 = שִׁלֹחַ. below שִׁלֹחַ proper name, of a well at southeast of Jerusalem (connection with above √ not certain (BaNB 66), Psalm 104:10 has Pi`el); — ׳מֵי הַשּׁ Isaiah 8:6; Σ(ε)ιλωαμ; = III. שֶׁלַךְ; modern Birket Silwân; see WilsonHast. DB SILOM Cond GASm RSEncy. Bib. JERUSALEM. §§ 3. 11. 18 BuhlG 138; on inscription found in adjacent tunnel see Dr8m xv ff. GACooke15ff. Topical Lexicon Scriptural OccurrencesNehemiah 3:15 and Isaiah 8:6 preserve the term, designating Jerusalem’s southern pool and its gently flowing channel. Both contexts underscore protection and provision for the city—first in the literal rebuilding of its walls, then in Isaiah’s prophetic contrast between quiet covenantal supply and the torrent of foreign invasion. Geographical Setting The Pool of Shelah (later Siloam) lay at the southeastern spur of the City of David. Fed by the Gihon Spring through an open channel in earlier days and, after Hezekiah, by the famous tunnel, it collected life-sustaining water where the Kidron and Tyropoeon valleys converge. Archaeology confirms a stepped pool from the Second Temple era and an earlier, smaller reservoir likely present in Isaiah’s time. Historical Development 1. Pre-Hezekiah: An exposed conduit carried Gihon water down the slope—adequate in peace, perilous in siege. Prophetic Significance Isaiah 8:6: “Because this people have rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoiced in Rezin and the son of Remaliah…” The “gently flowing waters” symbolize God’s quiet, faithful governance. Judah’s leaders preferred political alliances—trust in human torrents—inviting Assyria’s flood. The contrast frames the entire Immanuel section (Isaiah 7–12), pressing trust in the promised Child rather than in geopolitical schemes. Messianic Echoes John 9:7 records Jesus’ command, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). The blind man’s healing beside the same waters fulfils Isaiah’s motif: the One whom the Father “sent” brings true sight and salvation. Thus the gentle stream that Judah once despised becomes the stage upon which the Messiah discloses Himself. Theological Themes • Divine Provision: As the sole perennial spring of Jerusalem, Gihon’s outflow testifies that the Lord alone sustains His people (Psalm 46:4). Ministry Applications 1. Encourage believers to value “gentle waters” of daily grace rather than dramatic but empty substitutes. Related Passages for Study 2 Kings 20:20; Isaiah 22:9–11; Psalm 46:4; John 7:37–39; John 9:1–11. Forms and Transliterations הַשִּׁלֹ֔חַ הַשֶּׁ֙לַח֙ השלח haš·še·laḥ haš·ši·lō·aḥ hashShelach hashshiLoach haššelaḥ haššilōaḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 3:15 HEB: חוֹמַ֞ת בְּרֵכַ֤ת הַשֶּׁ֙לַח֙ לְגַן־ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ NAS: of the Pool of Shelah at the king's KJV: of the pool of Siloah by the king's INT: and the wall of the Pool of Shelah garden the king's Isaiah 8:6 2 Occurrences |
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