Bible Dictionary
Shilonite
A Shilonite was either an inhabitant of Shiloh, as with Ahijah the prophet, or a member of a Judahite family descended from Shelah.
Definition
A Shilonite could mean an inhabitant of Shiloh or, in another usage, a member of a Judahite family descended from Shelah, Judah’s youngest son. The term therefore functions both as a geographical designation and as a family designation.
Biblical Usage
Ahijah the prophet is called a Shilonite because his home was in Shiloh. The plural form refers to descendants of Shelah who lived in Jerusalem after the exile.
Historical Background
The designation reflects two distinct biblical uses: residence in Shiloh and descent from the Judahite family of Shelah.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Ahijah the prophet, whose home was in Shiloh, is so designated (1 Kings 11:29; 15:29). The plural form occurs (1 Chr. 9:5), denoting the descendants of Shelah, Judah’s youngest son.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>shi'-lo-nit (shiloni (2Ch 9:29), shiloni (2Ch 10:15; Ne 11:5), Shilowniy; Selonei, Seloneites): This denotes an inhabitant of Shiloh, and applies (1) to Ahijah the prophet (1Ki 11:29, etc.); and (2) to a family of the children of Judah, who, after the exile, made their home in Jerusalem (1Ch 9:5; Ne 11:5, the King James Version "Shiloni").</p>