Σιλωάμ
Silōám
G4611 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The proper noun Σιλωάμ refers specifically to a pool or reservoir located in Jerusalem, known historically as 'Shiloach' or 'Siloam'. In the New Testament, it designates the pool mentioned as the site where Jesus directs a man born blind to wash, resulting in his healing. Its core meaning is as a place name, but it may contextually allude to the site’s cultural or ritual significance as a water source, especially in connection with purification practices.
Semantic Range
pool or reservoir in Jerusalem, site of ritual washing, proper noun designating a location
Root / Etymology
The Greek Σιλωάμ is a transliteration of the Hebrew שִׁלֹחַ (Shiloach), which itself derives from the verb שָׁלַח (shalach), meaning 'to send' or 'to let flow'. The etymology reflects both the sending (channeling) of water and, in some traditions, the concept of being sent.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Σιλωάμ appears in the New Testament (notably John 9:7,11) as the Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem, associated with healing and ritual washing. In the period of the Second Temple, the pool was an important water source for Jerusalem and involved in pilgrimage and festival rituals (especially during Sukkot). The site is depicted in both Jewish and broader Hellenistic sources as a landmark of the city. The Greek transliteration reflects the Hebrew name as preserved in the Septuagint (LXX Isaiah 8:6: Σιλωάμ for שִׁלֹחַ). English translations uniformly use 'Siloam', but this does not convey the underlying meaning of 'sending' or 'sent'. The word functions solely as a place name in Greek texts and should not be conflated with the abstract sense of 'being sent'.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Hebrew origin (שִׁלֹחַ); Siloam (i.e. Shiloach), a pool of Jerusalem:--Siloam.
Root Family
Σιλωαμ (Silōám) — place name, pool, to send (via Hebrew root)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4611-01 |
Σιλωὰμ | siloam | N DAT M SG |
Siloam | to Siloam | Siloam | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences