Tower of Siloam

Tower of Siloam

The tower of Siloam was an ancient tower in Siloam in south Jerusalem. The tower fell during the time of Jesus, killing 18 people.

Mentioned in the Bible

who were killed by the Romans. Those who told Jesus this may have expected him to say that their deaths were punishment for their rebelious and belligerent behavior. Yet, in mentioning the collapse of the tower of Siloam, Jesus taught that tragic 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 occured recently after Jesus mentioned it.

Identification

Bible commentator Matthew Henry 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 , 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 aquaduct connected to the Pool of Siloam. [Life Application Study Bible note in Luke 13] Two aquaducts are known to have carried water to the pool from the Gihon Spring, but these aquaducts were built into the ground instead of 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.

Archeology

Archaeological excavation has revealed what some Biblical scholars believe to be the ruins of the tower. If so, it is likely the ruins belong to a second tower that was rebuilt after the first tower collapsed. The ruins are a circular foundation aproximately 6 metres across. [cite web|url=http://askelm.com/temple/t031205.htm|title=The Tower of Siloam|year=2003|publisher=Associates for Scriptural Knowledge|accessdate=2008-02-10]

Notes

External Links

* [http://www.wcg.org/lit/spiritual/trials/evil.htm Why does God allow evil?] by Michael Morrison, 1999.


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