Joshua 18:1
And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲדַ֤ת
And the whole congregation
H5712
עֲדַ֤ת
And the whole congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
3 of 14
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֥ינוּ
and set up
H7931
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֥ינוּ
and set up
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
7 of 14
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
שָׁ֖ם
H8033
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֹ֣הֶל
the tabernacle
H168
אֹ֣הֶל
the tabernacle
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
10 of 14
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
מוֹעֵ֑ד
of the congregation
H4150
מוֹעֵ֑ד
of the congregation
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
וְהָאָ֥רֶץ
there And the land
H776
וְהָאָ֥רֶץ
there And the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
12 of 14
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Cross References
Joshua 19:51These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country.Joshua 21:2And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.1 Samuel 1:3And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.Jeremiah 26:6Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.Joshua 22:9And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.Psalms 78:66And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.1 Kings 2:27So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD; that he might fulfil the word of the LORD, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.1 Kings 14:2And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people.1 Samuel 1:24And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.Judges 18:31And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
Historical Context
Shiloh (modern Khirbet Seilun) sits in Ephraim's hill country about 20 miles north of Jerusalem. Archaeological excavations reveal significant Iron Age I occupation consistent with tabernacle period. The site's central location made it accessible to all tribes. Establishing the tabernacle at Shiloh created religious unity for the tribal confederation. The tabernacle remained at Shiloh through the judges period until destroyed (apparently by Philistines around 1050 BCE, Jeremiah 7:12-14, 26:6-9). Psalm 78:60 laments God abandoning Shiloh due to Israel's sin. The tabernacle later moved to Nob (1 Samuel 21:1), then Gibeon (1 Chronicles 16:39), until Solomon built the Jerusalem temple.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'Shiloh' worship center in your life establishes God's presence as foundation for everything else?
- How does the sequence (subdue enemies, then establish worship) inform your spiritual priorities?
- What does gathering the 'whole congregation' teach about corporate worship's importance versus individualistic spirituality?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse marks a significant transition—establishing Shiloh as Israel's religious center. The phrase 'whole congregation' (kol-adat bnei-Yisrael, כָּל־עֲדַת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל) emphasizes corporate gathering for sacred purpose. The verb 'assembled' (vayiqahalu, וַיִּקָּהֲלוּ) indicates formal, organized gathering. Shiloh, in Ephraim's territory, served as Israel's capital and worship center for over 300 years until the ark's capture (1 Samuel 4). The phrase 'set up the tabernacle' (vayashkinu sham et-ohel moed, וַיַּשְׁכִּינוּ שָׁם אֶת־אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד) uses shakan (שָׁכַן), meaning to dwell or settle—this was permanent establishment, not temporary camping. The tabernacle's presence made Shiloh holy ground where God dwelt among His people. The final phrase 'the land was subdued before them' (vehaarets nichbesah lifneihem, וְהָאָרֶץ נִכְבְּשָׁה לִפְנֵיהֶם) indicates military control sufficient for establishing worship center. From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates that worship centrality follows, not precedes, victory—God must subdue enemies before His people can worship freely.