The Gentle Waters of Shiloah

No doubt you have heard about the famed water source of ancient Jerusalem called Siloam. When someone hears Siloam, they immediately go to John’s gospel (Ch 9), and the story of Jesus healing a man born blind. Yes, that amazing miracle happened at this unique pool in Jerusalem. In Greek, the water source is called Siloam (Σιλωάμ), and in Hebrew, its Shiloach (שִׁלֹחַ) or Shiloah. The English rendering of its name is not as important as the meaning that the original hides. People read this gospel story today and rarely realize how much is buried beneath the surface in the original Hebrew meaning of the pool's name. So, allow me to bring in a passage from the prophets where this same famous water source is mentioned by name. It might lead to a deeper appreciation of the context that is often completely missed.

"Because people have rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah... behold, the LORD is about to bring on them the abundant waters of a mighty river..." (Is 8:6-7)

In Hebrew, the water source the prophet mentions in his warning is Shiloach (שִׁלֹחַ). And to fully appreciate the name symbolism, we have to be aware that it comes from the verb "to send" or "to commission" (shalach; שָׁלַח). Isaiah compares Israel's God to the easy-flowing "waters of Shiloah" (mei Sheloach; מֵי הַשִּׁלֹחַ). He is often gentle with his people, and the "waters walk/move slowly or leisurely" (הַהֹלְכִים לְאַט). What Israel's God is contrasted with are the fast-moving and violent waters of Ashur (אַשּׁוּר) Assyria. This judgment will not be gentle. In Hebrew, the wordplay and poetic symbolism are very obvious. But it is often lost in translations.