Biblical Significance

Shiloh: A Name with Multiple Meanings and Origins

Biblical Significance

Shiloh, a unisex name, originates from the Hebrew Bible, where it refers to a sacred place in the territory of the tribe of Ephraim. In the book of Joshua, Shiloh is mentioned as the location of the Tabernacle, the central sanctuary for the Israelites.

Hebrew Origins and Meaning

The name "Shiloh" itself has two possible Hebrew interpretations. One derivation is from "ש shi," an abbreviation of "אשר asher," meaning "whose" or "he who." The other interpretation comes from "לו lu," meaning "if only" or "may it be." As such, the name can be understood as "He whose" or "May it be." The latter meaning conveys a sense of prayer or aspiration.