The term "Shilonite" refers to an individual or group associated with the ancient city of Shiloh, a significant religious and historical site in the biblical narrative. Shiloh, located in the territory of Ephraim, served as an early center of Israelite worship and the location of the Tabernacle before the establishment of Jerusalem as the central place of worship.

Biblical References:

1. Ahijah the Shilonite: One of the most notable figures referred to as a Shilonite is Ahijah, a prophet during the reigns of Solomon and Jeroboam. Ahijah played a crucial role in the division of the united monarchy of Israel. In 1 Kings 11:29-31 , it is recorded: "At that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the road, wearing a new cloak. And the two of them were alone in the open field. And Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing, tore it into twelve pieces, and said to Jeroboam, 'Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and give you ten tribes.’" Ahijah's prophecy was instrumental in the establishment of the northern kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam.

2. Historical and Religious Significance of Shiloh: Shiloh was a central place of worship for the Israelites before the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. It was here that the Ark of the Covenant was housed, and where the annual feasts were celebrated. The significance of Shiloh is highlighted in the narrative of Hannah and the birth of Samuel, as recorded in 1 Samuel 1:3 : "Year after year this man would go up from his city to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD."

3. Prophetic Symbolism: The name Shiloh also carries prophetic symbolism, often associated with peace and messianic expectation. In Genesis 49:10 , Jacob's blessing to Judah includes a reference to Shiloh: "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his." This verse has been traditionally interpreted by many Christian theologians as a messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate bringer of peace and fulfillment of God's promises.

Cultural and Theological Context:

The Shilonites, as inhabitants or affiliates of Shiloh, were part of a community deeply embedded in the religious life of early Israel. The presence of the Tabernacle at Shiloh made it a focal point for worship and pilgrimage, influencing the spiritual and cultural practices of the Israelites. The role of the Shilonite prophet Ahijah underscores the importance of prophetic voices in guiding and shaping the destiny of the nation according to divine will.

In summary, the term "Shilonite" encapsulates a rich tapestry of historical, religious, and prophetic elements within the biblical narrative, highlighting the enduring significance of Shiloh in Israel's spiritual heritage.Ahijah the prophet, whose home was in Shiloh, is so designated (1 Kings 11:29; 15:29). The plural form occurs (1 Chronicles 9:5), denoting the descendants of Shelah, Judah's youngest son. SHILONITE

shi'-lo-nit (shiloni (2 Chronicles 9:29), shiloni (2 Chronicles 10:15 Nehemiah 11:5), Shilowniy; Selonei, Seloneites): This denotes an inhabitant of Shiloh, and applies (1) to Ahijah the prophet (1 Kings 11:29, etc.); and (2) to a family of the children of Judah, who, after the exile, made their home in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 9:5 Nehemiah 11:5, the King James Version "Shiloni").

7888. Shiloni -- inhab. of Shiloh
... inhab. of Shiloh. Transliteration: Shiloni or Shiloni or Shiloni Phonetic Spelling:
(shee-lo-nee') Short Definition: Shilonite. ... Shilonite. ...
/hebrew/7888.htm - 6k

The Rending of the Kingdom
... of Nebat "the same Jeroboam who during Solomon's reign had been known as "a mighty
man of valor," and to whom the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite had delivered ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 6 the rending of.htm

National Apostasy
... slain, with all his kindred in the line of succession, "according unto the saying
of the Lord, which He spake by His servant Ahijah the Shilonite: because of ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 8 national apostasy.htm

The New Garment Bent
... And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet
Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the new garment bent.htm

How to Split a Kingdom
... hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the Lord, that He might perform
His saying, which the Lord spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/how to split a kingdom.htm

God Does Whatsoever He Wills in the Hearts of Even Wicked Men.
... not unto the people; for the turning was from the Lord, that He might perform His
saying, which the Lord spake to Ahijah the Shilonite concerning Jeroboam the ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 42 xxigod does whatsoever.htm

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... and the book of Gad the seer" (1:Chron.29:29); for the reign of Solomon, "the book
of Nathan the prophet, the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite," and "the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... In his reign, the kingdom being divided, Jeroboam, of the tribe of Ephraim, the
servant of Solomon, reigned in Samaria; and Achias the Shilonite continued to ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

A Look into the Hebrew Bible.
... the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the History
of Nathan the Prophet, and in the Prophecy of Abijah the Shilonite, and in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter i a look into.htm

Matt. Ii. 16
... 9:29, where it is said that certain of the acts of Solomon were written in the book
of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite; and in ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily ix matt ii 16.htm

"This Thing is from Me"
... man. 15, 16. That he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah
the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the Son of Nebat. So when ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/this thing is from me.htm

Shilonite (7 Occurrences)
... youngest son. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHILONITE. shi'-lo ... Version "Shiloni").
Multi-Version Concordance Shilonite (7 Occurrences). 1 Kings ...
/s/shilonite.htm - 10k

Shi'lonite (6 Occurrences)
Shi'lonite. Shilonite, Shi'lonite. Shilonites . Multi-Version Concordance
Shi'lonite (6 Occurrences). 1 Kings 11:29 And it came ...
/s/shi'lonite.htm - 8k

Ahi'jah (22 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:29 And it came to pass at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem,
that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; now Ahijah had ...
/a/ahi'jah.htm - 12k

Ahijah (23 Occurrences)
... (6.) One of Solomon's secretaries (1 Kings 4:3). (7.) A prophet of Shiloh (1 Kings
11:29; 14:2), called the "Shilonite," in the days of Rehoboam. ...
/a/ahijah.htm - 21k

Nebat (25 Occurrences)
... t listen to the people; for it was a thing brought about of Yahweh, that he might
establish his word, which Yahweh spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam ...
/n/nebat.htm - 15k

Jerobo'am (92 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:29 And it came to pass at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem,
that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; now Ahijah had ...
/j/jerobo'am.htm - 32k

Revolution (6 Occurrences)
... not unto the people, for the revolution was from Jehovah, in order to establish
His word that Jehovah spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam ...
/r/revolution.htm - 10k

Events (27 Occurrences)
... t listen to the people; for it was a thing brought about of Yahweh, that he might
establish his word, which Yahweh spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam ...
/e/events.htm - 14k

Shiloni (1 Occurrence)
... 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...
/s/shiloni.htm - 6k

Affairs (27 Occurrences)
... t listen to the people; for it was a thing brought about of Yahweh, that he might
establish his word, which Yahweh spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam ...
/a/affairs.htm - 14k

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