Siloam; Siloah; Shelah; Shiloah
LocationsGeographical Setting
Siloam is an ancient site in Jerusalem comprising a residential area, a water pool, and the terminus of the Hezekiah Tunnel.
What is the meaning of Siloam; Siloah; Shelah; Shiloah in the Bible?
Siloam denotes a village, a pool, and an aqueduct system in Jerusalem, corresponding to the modern neighborhood of Silwan. Archaeological excavations have revealed continuous habitation from the Iron Age through the Byzantine period, evidenced by rock-cut tombs, residential structures, and religious chapels.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the geography of Siloam clarifies the logistical context of King Hezekiah's water projects described in 2 Kings and Isaiah, illustrating how ancient Jerusalem managed its water supply during sieges, while the pool serves as the setting for the healing narrative in John 9, grounding the theological event in a specific, recognizable physical location.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.