SILOAM, Shiloah, Siloe, or Siloa, a Fountain under the Walls of Jerusalem, towards the East, between the City and the Brook Kidron. Epiphanius writes,1 that God gave this Fountain, at the Intercession of the Prophet Isaiah. But it was in Being a long Time before this Prophet; and there is great Likelihood, that it is Josh. xv. 7. & xviii. 16. 2 Sam. xvii. 17. 1 Kings i. 9.the same as the Fountain En-rogel, or the Fullers Fountain, which is known in Joshua, and in the Books of Samuel and the Kings. The Situation of the Fountain of Rogel to the East, and below the Walls of Jerusalem, just the same as the Fountain of Siloam, convinces us, that it must be the same Fountain; for there was but one on Joseph. de Bello, l. 5. c. 26.this Side. Josephus often speaks of the Waters of Siloe, or Siloam: He says, that when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, this Fountain increased its Waters; and that the same thing happen’d when Titus laid Siege to the City. So that, whereas before Water could hardly be bought for Money, during the Siege it abundantly supply’d the Roman Army, and furnish’d enough beside for watering the Gardens.
Isaiah insinuates, that its Waters flow’d gently, and without Noise: Forsomuch as this People refuseth the Waters of Shiloah Hieron. in Jer. xiv.that go softly, &c. St. Jerom says, that Jerusalem has none but the Fountain of Siloam, from whence to draw its Water: And besides, this Spring did not run always; Uno fonte Siloe, & hoc non perpetuo, utitur civitas. But anciently it was not so, at least the Scripture does not give us this Notion of it. St. Jerom himself affirms,2 that the Waters of Siloam made the Valley through which they ran to be very delicious and agreeable, because it water’d the Gardens and Plantations there. Monconis says,3 that the Water of this Fountain is a little brackish, and has not a good Taste. The Rabbins relate,4 that the Priests drank of the Water of Siloam, when they had eat too much Flesh, to assist their Digestion. The Saltness that Monconis mentions might contribute to this.
St. John speaks of the Pool of Siloam, call’d, in Latin, Natatoria Siloe; in Greek, Kolymbethra Siloe, otherwise, the Pool of Bethesda. ‘Twas a Pool just below the Walls of Jerusalem, towards the East: Its Waters were supply’d by the Fountain of Siloam. Our Saviour sent the Man that was born blind, to wash his Eyes in the Brook of Siloam, John ix. 7.
Luke xiii. 4.The Tower of Siloam. It is said in the Gospel, that the Tower of Siloam fell upon eighteen Men, and buried them in its Ruins. ‘Tis thought this Tower was near the Fountain of Siloam, of which we have now spoke.
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