Tower of Siloam
Encyclopedia
According to the Bible, the Tower of Siloam was an ancient tower in Siloam
in south Jerusalem, which fell during the time of Jesus
, killing 18 people.
, Jesus mentioned the tragedy when he was told about some Galilean
insurgents who were killed by the Romans. Those who told Jesus this may have expected him to say that their deaths were punishment for their rebellious and belligerent behavior. Yet, in mentioning the collapse of the tower of Siloam, Jesus taught that death can come upon anyone, regardless of how sinful they are. He went on to teach that the need for all people to repent is the true lesson from such tragedies.
Because of the lack of detailed information and singular nature of the Lucan account, it is likely the event had occurred not too long before Jesus mentioned it.
erroneously identified the Pool of Siloam
with the Pool of Bethesda
and conjectured that the tower of Siloam may have been supporting one of the five porches of the Pool of Bethesda mentioned in the Gospel of John
, and that the 18 victims were killed by the falling porch. This was discredited when the real Pool of Bethesda was discovered in north Jerusalem.
Other Bible commentators have speculated that the tower of Siloam may have been part of a Roman aqueduct
connected to the Pool of Siloam. At least two aqueducts are known to have carried water to the pool from the Gihon Spring
, but these aqueducts were built into the ground, not on elevated viaducts requiring towers.
It has also been speculated that the tower was a fortress built to defend the city, similar to the Phasael tower
.
Siloam
Siloam is an ancient Greek name derived from the more ancient Hebrew Shiloah. The Arabic, Silwan, was derived form the Greek, Siloam. It is an ancient site in Jerusalem, south of the Old City.-Antiquity:...
in south Jerusalem, which fell during the time of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, killing 18 people.
Mentioned in the Bible
In the Gospel of LukeGospel of Luke
The Gospel According to Luke , commonly shortened to the Gospel of Luke or simply Luke, is the third and longest of the four canonical Gospels. This synoptic gospel is an account of the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. It details his story from the events of his birth to his Ascension.The...
, Jesus mentioned the tragedy when he was told about some Galilean
Galilean
Generically, a Galilean is an inhabitant of Galilee. Galileans were also the members of a fanatical sect , followers of Judas of Galilee, who fiercely resented the taxation of the Romans, and whose violence contributed to induce the latter to vow the extermination of the whole race...
insurgents who were killed by the Romans. Those who told Jesus this may have expected him to say that their deaths were punishment for their rebellious and belligerent behavior. Yet, in mentioning the collapse of the tower of Siloam, Jesus taught that death can come upon anyone, regardless of how sinful they are. He went on to teach that the need for all people to repent is the true lesson from such tragedies.
Because of the lack of detailed information and singular nature of the Lucan account, it is likely the event had occurred not too long before Jesus mentioned it.
Identification
Bible commentator Matthew HenryMatthew Henry
Matthew Henry was an English commentator on the Bible and Presbyterian minister.-Life:He was born at Broad Oak, a farmhouse on the borders of Flintshire and Shropshire. His father, Philip Henry, had just been ejected under the Act of Uniformity 1662...
erroneously identified the Pool of Siloam
Pool of Siloam
Pool of Siloam is a rock-cut pool on the southern slope of the City of David, the original site of Jerusalem, located outside the walls of the Old City to the southeast. The pool was fed by the waters of the Gihon Spring, carried there by two aqueducts.-History:The Pool of Siloam is mentioned...
with the Pool of Bethesda
Pool of Bethesda
The Pool of Bethesda is a pool of water in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem, on the path of the Beth Zeta Valley. The Gospel of John describes such a pool in Jerusalem, near the Sheep Gate, which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. It is associated with healing. Until the 19th century, there...
and conjectured that the tower of Siloam may have been supporting one of the five porches of the Pool of Bethesda mentioned in the Gospel of John
Gospel of John
The Gospel According to John , commonly referred to as the Gospel of John or simply John, and often referred to in New Testament scholarship as the Fourth Gospel, is an account of the public ministry of Jesus...
, and that the 18 victims were killed by the falling porch. This was discredited when the real Pool of Bethesda was discovered in north Jerusalem.
Other Bible commentators have speculated that the tower of Siloam may have been part of a Roman aqueduct
Aqueduct
An aqueduct is a water supply or navigable channel constructed to convey water. In modern engineering, the term is used for any system of pipes, ditches, canals, tunnels, and other structures used for this purpose....
connected to the Pool of Siloam. At least two aqueducts are known to have carried water to the pool from the Gihon Spring
Gihon Spring
The Gihon Spring was the main source of water for the City of David, the original site of Jerusalem. One of the world's major intermittent springs - and a reliable water source that made human settlement possible in ancient Jerusalem - the spring was not only used for drinking water, but also...
, but these aqueducts were built into the ground, not on elevated viaducts requiring towers.
It has also been speculated that the tower was a fortress built to defend the city, similar to the Phasael tower
Phasael tower
The Phasael Tower, Hippicus Tower and Miriamne Tower are three towers in Jerusalem situated close to where the Jaffa Gate is today. These towers protected the main entrance to the city. Phasael tower was named after Herod's brother Phasael, Hippicus was named after Herod's friend who fell in...
.