Psalms 78:60
So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men;
Original Language Analysis
וַ֭יִּטֹּשׁ
So that he forsook
H5203
וַ֭יִּטֹּשׁ
So that he forsook
Strong's:
H5203
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive
מִשְׁכַּ֣ן
the tabernacle
H4908
מִשְׁכַּ֣ן
the tabernacle
Strong's:
H4908
Word #:
2 of 6
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
Cross References
Joshua 18:1And 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.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.
Historical Context
Around 1050 BC, the Philistines destroyed Shiloh (Jeremiah 26:6-9) after capturing the ark (1 Samuel 4). Archaeological excavations at Khirbet Seilun confirm massive destruction. Eli's corrupt sons and Israel's presumption that the ark guaranteed victory provoked this judgment. The ark never returned to Shiloh—David later brought it to Jerusalem.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's willingness to abandon His own dwelling place teach about the seriousness of sin?
- How might churches today presume on God's presence while tolerating sin, like Israel at Shiloh?
- In what ways does Christ's promise 'I will never leave you' (Hebrews 13:5) differ from God's Old Testament dwelling in specific locations?
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Analysis & Commentary
So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men. The consequence clause So that he forsook (vayyitosh, וַיִּטֹּשׁ) describes God's shocking abandonment of His dwelling place. The tabernacle of Shiloh (mishkan Shiloh, מִשְׁכַּן שִׁלוֹ) refers to the sanctuary at Shiloh where the ark rested for over 300 years (Joshua 18:1, Judges 18:31).
Shiloh, whose name means 'place of rest' or 'tranquil,' became ironically a place of judgment. The tent which he placed among men (ohel shikken ba'adam, אֹהֶל שִׁכֵּן בָּאָדָם) emphasizes God's gracious condescension—He tabernacled with humanity. Yet Israel's sin drove God away from His own chosen dwelling. This foreshadows Ezekiel's vision of God's glory departing the temple (Ezekiel 10-11).
Jeremiah later used Shiloh as warning to complacent Judah: 'Go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh...and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel' (Jeremiah 7:12). God doesn't guarantee perpetual presence where sin reigns unchecked.