Shiloh (biblical person)

Shiloh (Hebrew שִׁילֹה ) is a word of unknown meaning in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament . In Gen 49,8-12 EU the blessing of the ancestor Jacob for his son Judah is described. Verse 10 mentions Shiloh in this connection . The meaning of this word is unclear and therefore starting point for speculation, which also includes the equation with the Messiah , David or various prophets .

Translations

In early translations of Genesis 49:10, the word Shiloh remained untranslated as a proper name (as in the Peshitta ) or was replaced by an interpretation (as in the Septuagint and the Vulgate ). The Septuagint derives the name from the Hebrew word שֳׁלוׁ schelo , the possessive pronoun “his / her” and translates as τὰ ἀποκείμενα tà apokeímena “what is stored / what is present” ( Gen 49,10 LXX ). The Vulgate translates “qui mittendus est” ( Gen 49.10 VUL ).

Newer German translations read Shiloh as a proper name (see uniform translation (2016) EU , Revised Elberfelder Bible ELB , Schlachter-Bibel (2000) SLT , Gute Nachrichten Bibel GNB , Neues Leben NL ) or replace it with an interpretation based on the translation of the Septuagint ( According to Luther Bible (2017) “until he comes to whom it belongs ” LUT , hope for everyone “a great ruler comes” HFA , Naftali Herz Tur-Sinai (1935) “until his wish comes true ”).

Kabbalistic testimonies

Franjo Terhart points out the interpretation of Shiloh for the Kabbalists in his book :

“For example, in the Bible (Genesis 1,49,10) you can find the Hebrew text 'jabo schilo' - Schiloh will come. Nobody knows who is meant by 'Schiloh'. The gematrisch but trained Kabbalist can by the numerical value of, Shiloh 'and' Mashiach '( Messiah ) recognize that both are essentially the same. And so the incomprehensible word 'schiloh' and with it the sentence gets a meaning. "

Rabbi Ariel Bar Tzodeck presents a cabalistic perspective in his English-language PDF online article on "The staff shall not depart from Yehuda, nor the scepter from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and the obedience of the people be his." (Bereshit 49.10). Two excerpts follow:

"In this parasha, Ya'aqov Avinu blesses his sons before his death. With regards to Yehuda, Ya'aqov makes reference to 'Shiloh.' Yet, no explanation is given as to who Shiloh is. According to Onkelos, Midrash Rabbah and Rashi, the name Shiloh is a reference to the future Melekh HaMashiah. "

“In this Parasha [Gen. 49.10] Ya'aqov Avinu blesses his sons before his death. With regard to Yehuda, Ya'aqov refers to "Shiloh". No explanation is known yet of who Shiloh is. According to Onkelos, Midrash Rabbah and Rashi, the name Shiloh is a reference to the future Melekh HaMashiah. "

"Concerning the name 'Shiloh', the Ba'al HaTurim notes that its Gematria (numerical value of the letters) is the same as that of the name Moses. While the Ba'al HaTurim does not elaborate on this, the master Mekubal Rabbi Haim Vital does, in his Sha'ar HaPesukim (Vayehi 20B). There has always been an interesting mystical relationship between Moses and the Mashiah. One was our first redeemer and the other will be our last. "

“Regarding the name 'Shiloh', the Ba'al HaTurim notes that his Gematria (numerical value of the letters) is exactly the same as that of the name Moses. While the Ba'al HaTurim does not elaborate this further, the Master Mekubal Rabbi Haim Vital does this in his Sha'ar HaPesukim (Vayehi 20B). There was always an interesting mystical relationship between Moses and the Mashiah. One was our first Savior and the other will be our last. "

Islamic interpretation

For the Muslim interpretation of Shiloh as Messenger Mohammed or Prophet Salih , also Saalih or Saleh ( Arabic صالح; in the Koran Suras 7 and 11), see Salih.

Other mentions

According to Emil G. Hirsch and Immanuel Benzinger , Shiloh cannot be interpreted as a place:

"It is doubtful if there is a reference to Shiloh in the blessing of Jacob (Gen. xlix. 10), as the ordinary interpretation assumes: 'as long as [pilgrims] come to Shiloh,' that is, while the sanctuary is established there. See Adolf Posnanski, 'Shiloh: A Contribution to Gesch. der Messiahlehre '(Leipsic [sic!] 1904), and the commentaries of Drumann and others. "

“It is doubtful whether there is a reference to Shiloh in the Blessing of James (Gen. 49:10), while the usual interpretation assumes that 'as long as [pilgrims] come to Shiloh,' that is while the sanctuary is established there. See Adolf Posnanski, 'Shiloh: A Contribution to Gesch. der Messiahlehre '(Leipsic, 1904), and the commentaries of Drumann and others. "

Notes and individual references

↑ Gesenius , 16th ed. 1915, p. 796.
^ Franjo Terhart: Kabbalah - The Jewish mysticism . Parragon Books Ltd, ISBN 978-1-4054-7978-3 , page 62.
↑ The biblical reference is actually printed that way in the source. Since there is only one biblical mention of Shiloh, the somewhat confusing 1 after Genesis is probably Genesis 1 . Moses 49:10.
↑ Rabbi Ariel Bar Tzodeck: Identifying Shiloh - The Secret Soul of the Mashiah (PDF; 62 kB; English).
↑ Ya'aqov means Jacob, Yehuda means Judah and Melekh HaMashiah means King Messiah.
^ Emil G. Hirsch and Immanuel Benzinger about Shiloh in the Jewish Encyclopedia (English)

[1] Gesenius , 16th ed. 1915, p. 796.

[2] Franjo Terhart: Kabbalah - The Jewish mysticism . Parragon Books Ltd, ISBN 978-1-4054-7978-3 , page 62.

[3] The biblical reference is actually printed that way in the source. Since there is only one biblical mention of Shiloh, the somewhat confusing 1 after Genesis is probably Genesis 1 . Moses 49:10.

[4] Rabbi Ariel Bar Tzodeck: Identifying Shiloh - The Secret Soul of the Mashiah (PDF; 62 kB; English).

[5] Ya'aqov means Jacob, Yehuda means Judah and Melekh HaMashiah means King Messiah.

[6] Emil G. Hirsch and Immanuel Benzinger about Shiloh in the Jewish Encyclopedia (English)