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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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