Significance of Shiloh as the Location of the Tabernacle
Shiloh served as a central religious site for the Israelites for an extended period, primarily because it was the location where the Tabernacle was set up after the conquest of Canaan [3, 11]. The Tabernacle, also known as the "Tabernacle of the Congregation" or "Tabernacle of the Lord," was the portable sanctuary where God's presence dwelt among the Israelites [6]. Its establishment at Shiloh marked a significant moment in Israel's history, transitioning from a nomadic camp to a more settled religious center [12].
The book of Joshua records that "the whole Congregation of the children of Israel, came together at Shiloh: for they set vp the Tabernacle of the Congregation there, after the land was subiect vnto them" [3]. This event occurred after the land was largely conquered, signifying a shift from military campaigns to the regular observance of Mosaic law and worship [8, 13]. Shiloh was strategically located in the tribe of Ephraim, described as being "on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem and on the south of Lebonah" [1, 10]. This central location made it accessible to the various tribes [9]. Some scholars suggest that by placing the Tabernacle there, Joshua established Shiloh as both the religious and political hub of Israel [11].
The Tabernacle remained at Shiloh for a considerable time, with estimates suggesting it stayed there for approximately 130 years [9]. During this period, Shiloh functioned as the primary place of worship and sacrifice for the Israelites [10]. The prophet Samuel, for instance, ministered before the Lord at Shiloh [1 Samuel 1:9, 3:3; 7]. Even after the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant, which had been housed at Shiloh, the site retained its historical significance [1 Samuel 4:10-11; 15, 18]. The prophet Jeremiah later referenced Shiloh as a warning to the people of Judah, reminding them of God's judgment on the former sanctuary [Jeremiah 7:12; 18]. Psalm 78 also refers to "the habitation of Shilo, euen the Tabernacle where hee dwelt among men," lamenting its eventual abandonment by God [4].
While Shiloh's selection was practical due to its central location, some traditions also connect its name to deeper theological meanings. The name "Shiloh" itself can mean "place of rest" or "peace; abundance" [1, 7]. This aligns with the idea of the Tabernacle providing a settled place for divine worship after the Israelites found rest from their enemies [1]. The Septuagint and Revised Version margin for Genesis 49:10 even translate "Shiloh" in a messianic context, referring to "that which is his shall come to Shiloh" or "till he come to Shiloh," though the Authorized Version interprets it as a proper name [2].
The presence of the Tabernacle at Shiloh meant that the city was considered "the house of God" for a significant period [Judges 18:31; 6]. The Babylonian Talmud notes a tradition that a strip of land from Joseph's portion extended into Benjamin's, connecting Shiloh to Benjamin's territory, and it was on this strip that the Tabernacle stood [14]. This detail highlights the intricate geographical and tribal considerations surrounding the sanctuary's placement. The eventual removal of the Tabernacle from Shiloh, particularly after the loss of the Ark, marked a decline in Shiloh's religious prominence, with the sanctuary eventually moving to other locations like Gilgal for sacrifices [1 Samuel 10:8; 8]. Later, God's dwelling would be established in Zion, as noted in Psalm 76:2, signifying a shift to Jerusalem [5].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Shiloh — (place of rest), a city of Ephraim. In (Judges 21:19) it is said that Shiloh is "on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem and on the south of Lebonah." In agreement with this the traveller of our own city, going north from Jerusalem, lodges the first night at Beitin, the ancient Bethel; the next day, at the distance of a few hours, turns aside to the right, in order to visit Seilun, the Arabic for Shiloh; and then passing through the narrow wady which brings him to the main road, leaves el-Lebban, the L”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Shiloh — Generally understood as denoting the Messiah, "the peaceful one," as the word signifies (Gen. 49:10). The Vulgate Version translates the word, "he who is to be sent," in allusion to the Messiah; the Revised Version, margin, "till he come to Shiloh;" and the LXX., "until that which is his shall come to Shiloh." It is most simple and natural to render the expression, as in the Authorized Version, "till Shiloh come," interpreting it as a proper name (comp. Isa. 9:6). Shiloh, a place of rest, a city of Ephraim, "on the north side of Bethel," from which it is dis”
- Joshua “Joshua 18:1 (Geneva1599) — And the whole Congregation of the children of Israel, came together at Shiloh: for they set vp the Tabernacle of the Congregation there, after the land was subiect vnto them.”
- Psalms “Psalms 78:60 (Geneva1599) — So that hee forsooke the habitation of Shilo, euen the Tabernacle where hee dwelt among men,”
- Psalms “Psalms 76:2 (Geneva1599) — For in Shalem is his Tabernacle, and his dwelling in Zion.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Tabernacle — Moses was commanded to make after a divine pattern -- Ex 25:9; 26:30; Heb 8:5. Made of the free-will offerings of the people -- Ex 25:1-8; 35:4,5,21-29. Divine wisdom given to Bezaleel to make -- Ex 31:2-7; 35:30-35; 36:1. Called the Tabernacle of the Lord. -- Jos 22:19; 1Ki 2:28; 1Ch 16:39. Tabernacle of testimony or witness. -- Ex 38:21; Nu 1:50; 17:7,8; 2Ch 24:6; Ac 7:44. Tabernacle of the congregation. -- Ex 27:21; 33:7; 40:26. Tabernacle of Shiloh. -- Ps 78:60. Tabernacle of Joseph. -- Ps 78:67. Temple of the Lord. -- 1Sa 1:9; 3:3. House of the Lord”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Shiloh (name of a city) — peace; abundance”
- Joshua (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Joshua 18 (introduction): The Tabernacle Set Up at Shiloh. - As soon as the tribe of Ephraim had received its inheritance, Joshua commanded the whole congregation to assemble in Shiloh, and there set up the tabernacle, in order that, as the land was conquered, the worship of Jehovah might henceforth be regularly observed in accordance with the law. The selection of Shiloh as the site for the sanctuary was hardly occasioned by the fitness of the place for this purpose, on account of its being situated upon a mountain in the centre of the land, for there were many other place”
- Joshua (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Joshua 18:1: Israel assembled together at Shiloh - This appears to have been a considerable town about fifteen miles from Jerusalem, in the tribe of Ephraim, and nearly in the center of the whole land. To this place both the camp of Israel, and the ark of the Lord, were removed from Gilgal, after a residence there of seven years. Here the tabernacle remained one hundred and thirty years, as is generally supposed, being the most conveniently situated for access to the different tribes, and for safety, the Israelites having possession of the land on all sides; for it is here added”
- Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 7:12: But go ye now unto my place, which was in Shiloh,.... A city in the tribe of Ephraim, on the north of Bethel, and the south of Lebonah, and not far from Shechem, Jdg 21:19 here were the tabernacle, the ark and altar of the Lord, and the sacrifices; and therefore the tabernacle is called the tabernacle of Shiloh, Psa 78:60, and here the Lord calls it his place; the place of the house of his Shechinah, as the Targum paraphrases it; and where he would have those people go; which is not to be understood locally, but of their taking this place into the consideration of t”
- Joshua (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Joshua 18:1: 18:1 Israel had been encamped at Gilgal in the Jordan Valley (14:6). Shiloh was about twenty miles north of Jerusalem, in the hill country of Ephraim. By setting up the Tabernacle there, Joshua made Shiloh Israel’s religious and political center. The Tabernacle remained at Shiloh until the Philistines captured the Ark (1 Sam 4:10-11).”
- Joshua (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Joshua 18:1: In the midst of the story of the dividing of the land comes in this account of the setting up of the tabernacle, which had hitherto continued in its old place in the centre of their camp; but now that three of the four squadrons that used to surround it in the wilderness were broken and diminished, those of Judah, Ephraim, and Reuben, by the removal of those tribes to their respective possessions, and that of Dan only remained entire, it was time to think of removing the tabernacle itself into a city. Many a time the priests and Levites had taken it down, carried ”
- Joshua (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Joshua 18:1: And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh,.... The whole body of the people, men, women, and children, as well as the camp, Jos 18:9; at least all that had not received their inheritances in the land. Hither they came from Gilgal, where the camp and tabernacle had been ever since their passage over Jordan; but now the land being in the main subdued, that was too far off both for the camp and tabernacle, and therefore they moved further into the land, and nearer Jerusalem, where in time the tabernacle was to be placed. The place ”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Zevachim 118b.10: Here too, with regard to the Tabernacle in Shiloh, a strip of land protruded from the portion of Joseph and entered into the portion of Benjamin, which connected Shiloh to the portion of Benjamin, and it was upon that strip, which had the status of Benjamin’s portion, that the Tabernacle stood. And that is what it means concerning that which is written with regard to the boundary of Joseph: “And the border turned about eastward to Taanath Shiloh” (Joshua 16:6), which in this context, is interpreted as meaning that the tribe of Benjamin would bemoan the fact”