### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Shilônîy**, represented by `{{H8023}}`, is the name of an Israelite. It appears **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible. The name serves to identify a specific individual within a recorded genealogy. Its base definition is the same as Shiloni.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single appearance of `{{H8023}}` is in a genealogical list in the book of Nehemiah. It is mentioned as the ancestor of a man named Maaseiah, one of the inhabitants of Jerusalem after the return from exile. The verse establishes a direct family line, listing **Shiloni** as the final patriarch in a long chain of ancestors for Maaseiah [[Nehemiah 11:5]]. Its role is strictly to provide historical and ancestral context for a prominent individual within the restored community.
### Related Words & Concepts
The context of **Shilônîy** connects it to several other names and terms crucial for understanding lineage:
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (a son): This word is the structural backbone of the verse where `{{H8023}}` is found, repeatedly used to link one generation to the next. Its wider use signifies lineage and succession, as seen when God's covenant promises are taught to sons and sons' sons [[Deuteronomy 4:9]].
* `{{H4641}}` **Maʻăsêyâh** (work of Jah): This is the name of the individual whose ancestry is being traced back to Shiloni [[Nehemiah 11:5]]. Other individuals named Maaseiah served as a priest [[Ezra 10:18]] and a governor of the city [[2 Chronicles 34:8]].
* `{{H1263}}` **Bârûwk** (blessed): An ancestor of Maaseiah and a descendant of Shiloni. Baruch is a name associated with service, most notably as the scribe who wrote down the words of Jeremiah [[Jeremiah 36:4]].
* `{{H2148}}` **Zᵉkaryâh** (Jah has remembered): Another ancestor in the line of Shiloni. The name itself signifies God's faithfulness. Individuals named Zechariah were key figures, including prophets who encouraged the rebuilding of the temple [[Ezra 6:14]] and priests upon whom the Spirit of God came [[2 Chronicles 24:20]].
### Theological Significance
The theological importance of `{{H8023}}` is found not in the name itself, but in its genealogical function.
* **Covenantal Faithfulness:** Its inclusion in the Nehemiah genealogy is a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving the lineage of His people through the period of exile and into the restoration of Jerusalem.
* **Historical Foundation:** Shiloni serves as a historical anchor for the family of Maaseiah, validating his identity and role within the re-established community [[Nehemiah 11:5]]. Such records were vital for maintaining social and religious order.
* **Ancestral Link:** The name acts as a link in the generational chain, highlighting the biblical emphasis on heritage and the continuity of God's people throughout history.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H8023}}` **Shilônîy** is a proper name whose significance is tied entirely to its singular appearance in a biblical genealogy. It serves as the foundational patriarch for a specific family line documented in the post-exilic period. While mentioned only once, it illustrates the profound importance the biblical authors placed on ancestry and historical continuity as a means of affirming the identity and structure of God's covenant community.
TRV