Pool of Siloam
The Second Temple-period stepped pool where Yeshua sent the blind man to wash
Found 2004 — Eli Shukron (Israel Antiquities Authority) and Ronny Reich (University of Haifa), after sewer-repair workers hit steps
Where City of David, at the mouth of the Tyropoeon Valley, Jerusalem (Israel)
Dates from 1st century BCE–70 CE (pool); site in use from Iron Age · Late Hellenistic–Early Roman · Ministry of Yeshua
Now at In place; City of David National Park, Jerusalem
How Pool of Siloam was found
A municipal crew repairing a sewer line in autumn 2004 exposed two stone steps; Reich and Shukron then excavated three flights of steps and a corner of a trapezoidal pool. Coins of Alexander Jannaeus in the plaster and of the First Revolt on the pavement bracket its use. Full excavation of the pool began in 2023.
What it is
A large stepped pool at least 70 meters long, with three sets of five steps separated by landings on the side excavated so far, built of ashlar and later paved. It sits about 50 meters south of the Byzantine pool long thought to be Siloam, at the outlet of Hezekiah's tunnel.
Why it matters for the Bible
John 9 places the healing of the man born blind at 'the pool of Siloam'. Until 2004 only a small Byzantine pool was known; this is the actual 1st-century pool, large enough to serve as a public mikveh for pilgrims before they climbed the stepped street to the Temple.
The Hebrew word: Shee-LO-ach
שִׁלֹחַ
שִׁלֹחַ is pronounced Shee-LO-ach and means sent; Shiloach (Siloam), from shalach, to send (Strong's H7975).
People this discovery connects to
- Yeshua (Jesus) — יֵשׁוּעַ (Ye-SHOO-ah) — YHVH saves
Places
- Siloam — שִׁלֹחַ (Shee-LO-ach) — sent (John 9:7 explains the name)
Events
Healing of the man born blind (John 9) · Collapse of the tower of Siloam (Luke 13:4)
Pool of Siloam in Scripture
Isaiah 8:6 'The waters of Shiloah that flow gently' — the spring that fed this pool. (First mention of Siloam.)
Luke 13:4 The tower in Siloam that fell and killed eighteen — same neighborhood.
John 9:7 'Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which means Sent)' — the pool itself.
Questions people ask
What is Pool of Siloam?
A large stepped pool at least 70 meters long, with three sets of five steps separated by landings on the side excavated so far, built of ashlar and later paved. It sits about 50 meters south of the Byzantine pool long thought to be Siloam, at the outlet of Hezekiah's tunnel.
When was Pool of Siloam discovered?
It was found in 2004 by Eli Shukron (Israel Antiquities Authority) and Ronny Reich (University of Haifa), after sewer-repair workers hit steps, at City of David, at the mouth of the Tyropoeon Valley, Jerusalem.
Where is Pool of Siloam today?
In place; City of David National Park, Jerusalem.
Which Bible verses does Pool of Siloam relate to?
Isaiah 8:6, Luke 13:4, John 9:7.
Related discoveries
- עָלָהPilgrimage Road (Stepped Street)The 600-meter stepped street from the Pool of Siloam up to the Temple Mount, built under Pilate
- מִלּוֹאStepped Stone StructureA giant stone rampart on the slope of the City of David, perhaps the biblical Millo
- חוֹתָםGedaliah son of Pashhur BullaSeal of a second official from Jeremiah 38, found beside the Jehucal bulla
- בָּמָהCity of David Rock-Cut Sanctuary RoomsEight bedrock chambers near the Gihon with an altar, olive press and winepress, sealed in the 8th century BCE
- מִלּוֹאThe Millo: Where Was It?The Stepped Stone Structure and the Gihon Spring fortifications as rival candidates for the biblical Millo
- סֹפֵרHouse of Bullae and the Gemariah son of Shaphan BullaFifty-one seal impressions baked hard in the fire of 586 BCE, one naming a scribe from Jeremiah 36
Sources
- Reich & Shukron, 'The Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem of the Late Second Temple Period', in Excavating the City of David (2011)
- Wikipedia: Pool of Siloam