שִׁלֹנִי (shi.lo.ni)
shi.lo.ni
Shilonite
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shiloni is a gentilic adjective meaning "Shilonite," referring to someone from the town of Shiloh. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Nehemiah 11:5, where it identifies Zechariah as a member of this specific lineage or community.
The word derives from the place name Shiloh, which etymologically suggests "peace" or "tranquility." In this single instance, the term functions as a precise geographical marker, distinguishing Zechariah’s ancestry from other groups returning to Jerusalem. It highlights how post-exilic society organized itself around ancestral origins and hometown identities.
Because it occurs just once, the word does not develop a broad theological range. Instead, it serves as a historical detail, preserving the memory of Shiloh—a town once central to Israel’s worship before the temple was built in Jerusalem. Its brevity underscores the importance of local identity in the restoration period.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shiloni identifies someone from Shiloh, a town known for its early role in Israel’s worship before Jerusalem became the central place of sacrifice. In Nehemiah 11:5, this term marks Zechariah’s lineage, showing how post-exilic communities valued their ancestral roots and hometown identities as they rebuilt their lives.
For you, this word reminds us that God cares about individual stories and local histories. Even small details like place names preserve the memory of faithful people who lived in specific places. It invites you to appreciate how your own background and community shape your journey with God, just as Zechariah’s Shilonite heritage connected him to a larger story of restoration and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Shilonite1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/שִּׁלֹנִֽי\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 11:5
and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite.
This verse uses 'Shilonite' to trace Zechariah's ancestry back through his family line, highlighting the importance of preserving genealogical records during the post-exilic restoration.