15. FACTS AND FINDINGS

1.    INTERPRETATION OF GENESIS GENESIS 49:10,1

Based on the biblical passage in Genesis 49:1 and 49:10, Shiloh is a name or title for a significant prophetic figure. The identity of Shiloh has been a subject of profound theological interpretation, with different understandings across the major Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

First, let's establish the context from the verses:

• Genesis 49:1 (Context): "And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days.”" This sets the stage for a series of prophecies about the future.

• Genesis 49:10 (The Prophecy): "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples."

Here are the main interpretations of who Shiloh is:

1. The Jewish and Christian Interpretation: The Messiah

This is the most traditional and widely held view within both Judaism and Christianity.

• In Judaism: The passage is historically understood as a Messianic prophecy. Shiloh is a title for the anticipated Messiah who will descend from the tribe of Judah. The Talmud and other rabbinic writings confirm this view, seeing Shiloh as the rightful king who will restore Israel and bring peace.
• In Christianity: Christians see this prophecy as fulfilled in Jesus Christ. They point to his lineage from the tribe of Judah through King David as fulfilling the "scepter" element. His coming is seen as the arrival of the rightful spiritual king to whom "the obedience of the peoples" (or nations) is due, which is understood as the global spread of the Gospel. The name Shiloh, often linked to the Hebrew word for "peace" (shalom), aligns with Jesus' title as the "Prince of Peace."

2. The Islamic Interpretation: The Prophet Muhammad

As you correctly pointed out from Martin Lings' book, a number of Islamic scholars interpret Shiloh as a prophecy foretelling the coming of the Prophet Muhammad.

• Basis of the Interpretation: This view, noted in a footnote in Martin Lings' "Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources" and argued by scholars like Rahmatullah Kairanawi, is based on a specific understanding of the prophecy's fulfilment.

•  Departure of the Scepter: The line "The scepter shall not depart from Judah" is interpreted to mean that prophethood and divine authority would remain with the Israelites (descendants of Judah and Jacob/Israel) for a time. The coming of "Shiloh" would signify a shift in this divine authority.

• Transfer of Prophethood: From this perspective, the arrival of Prophet Muhammad, a descendant of Abraham through Ishmael (not Isaac and Jacob), marks the fulfilment of this prophecy. It represents the transfer of the prophetic mantle from the Children of Israel to the Ishmaelite line.

• Linguistic Connection: Some interpretations also draw a linguistic connection. The Latin Vulgate, a historic Christian translation, rendered the Hebrew "Shiloh" as "qui mittendus est" ("he who is to be sent"). The concept of being "sent" is fundamental to a prophet in Islam, who is a Rasul (Messenger or "one who is sent").

• Obedience of the Peoples: The phrase "and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples" is seen as being fulfilled by the spread of Islam to diverse nations and cultures across the world, all submitting to the message brought by the Prophet Muhammad.

3. The Minority Interpretation: A Place

A less common interpretation suggests that Shiloh refers to the ancient Israelite city of the same name. In this view, the prophecy implies that Judah's prominence would last until a significant event took place at the town of Shiloh. However, most scholars find this interpretation difficult to fit into the broader context of the passage, which focuses on a person who commands obedience from all people. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the figure of "Shiloh" in Genesis 49:10 is a pivotal prophetic name, the meaning of which is deeply rooted in the concept of peace. The word 'Shiloh' is widely believed to be etymologically linked to the Hebrew word for peace, shalom. This shared theme of bringing peace is central to how the prophecy is understood across different faiths.

This connection is particularly resonant within the Islamic interpretation. The very word 'Islam' is derived from the Arabic root "s-l-m," which signifies peace and submission, and is the same root for the word for peace, salam. In this light, the prophecy of a coming "bringer of peace" (Shiloh) is seen as pointing directly to the Prophet Muhammad, who brought the religion of "Peace through Submission" (Islam) to the world.

Therefore, while the traditional Jewish and Christian understanding identifies this "bringer of peace" as the Messiah (fulfilled for Christians in Jesus, the "Prince of Peace"), the Islamic interpretation offers a powerful parallel: it identifies Shiloh as the Prophet Muhammad, the one who delivered the ultimate message of Islam (Peace). Each perspective, in its own way, sees the fulfilment of this ancient prophecy through a figure who establishes a definitive peace and rightful order for humanity.

 

 ONLY ALLAH KNOWS BEST