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Shiloh
What is the meaning of the term ‘Shiloh’? Is it a Messianic
prophecy?
The word Shiloh appears 33 times in the Old Testament and all but one usage refer to an area of Israel.
The verse in which Shiloh is used as a Messianic
prophecy is Genesis 49:10: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
nor a Lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come. And the obedience of
the peoples to him” (NKJV).
This
verse is part of Jacob’s blessing of his 12 sons in which he portrays the
future history of each son and each of the 12 tribes of Israel.
The
blessing on Judah and his tribe contains several elements.
For one
thing, his descendants would be strong and receive the praise of the other
tribes of Israel (verse 8-9).
This was
fulfilled in David, a strong and mighty warrior and king, and ultimately by the
Messiah who came from the line of Judah.
Verses 11
and 12 are somewhat obscure in that they contain poetic, hyperbolic language.
Generally,
this language describes prosperity so great that people will be able to tie a
donkey to a choice vine and let it eat its fill because there is such
abundance.
This is
likely a prophecy concerning the millennium.
It will
be a time of
In verse
10, we find the reference to Shiloh and His future coming.
This
obscure word is variously interpreted to mean
Prior to
Shiloh’s coming, the tribe of Judah would continue to maintain power and
strength, signified by the scepter - the symbol of authority and rule of law.
This
first began in David, who was of the tribe of Judah, and continued to the
Babylonian captivity, when another sort of government took place, described in
the next part of the verse.
A
‘lawgiver’ can be any ruler who has jurisdiction over others, and from the
Babylonian captivity through the time of Christ, Israel was under the rule of
other lawgivers.
When
Shiloh - the Messiah - came, the scepter of rule over Israel departed from
Judah and rested in the hand of the King of Kings, where it remains today,
although many still reject Him.
He is the
Lawgiver at whose feet we now sit for teaching in truth and righteousness
through His Word, the Bible.
The “obedience of the peoples” was and still
is offered to Him, replacing obedience to the law of Moses.
From the
beginning, there were great gatherings of people who heard Him preach and saw
His miracles.
Multitudes
witnessed His death and His post-resurrection appearances.
Multitudes
more were converted to Christ, embraced His doctrines, professed His religion,
and have lived in Him ever since.
Here is the meaning of the “obedience of the peoples to
him” (verse 10), which
will continue until Shiloh comes again to rule and reign over all during the
millennium.
At that
time, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).
Genesis 49:10-12 English Standard Version (ESV)
10 The scepter
shall not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,
until tribute comes to him;[a]
and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
11 Binding his foal to the vine
and his donkey's colt to the choice vine,
he has washed his garments in wine
and his vesture in the blood of grapes.
12 His eyes are darker than wine,
and his teeth whiter than milk.
nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,
until tribute comes to him;[a]
and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
11 Binding his foal to the vine
and his donkey's colt to the choice vine,
he has washed his garments in wine
and his vesture in the blood of grapes.
12 His eyes are darker than wine,
and his teeth whiter than milk.
Footnotes:
a.
Genesis 49:10 By
a slight revocalization; a slight emendation yields (compare Septuagint,
Syriac, Targum) until he comes to whom it belongs; Hebrew until
Shiloh comes, or until he comes to Shiloh
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