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The tower of siloam fell also 911 message
According to the Bible, the Tower of Siloam was an ancient tower in Siloam in south Jerusalem. In Luke 13:1-5, in a discourse on the need for individual repentance for sin, Jesus refers to 18 who died when the Tower of Siloam fell on them. Apparently they were innocent victims of a calamity which was due to no fault of those killed.
Contents
- The tower of siloam fell also 911 message
- Oct 25 homily the tower of siloam
- Identification
- Archaeology
- References
The Tower of Siloam itself is mentioned only in Luke 13:4 as part of a larger passage contained in verses 13:1-5.
Oct 25 homily the tower of siloam
Identification
Bible commentator Matthew Henry references contemporary theologian Dr. Joseph Lightfoot, who 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 the Gospel of John,[Jn 5] and that the 18 victims were killed by the falling porch. This was disproved 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 aqueduct connected to the Pool of Siloam. At least two aqueducts are known to have carried water to the pool from the Gihon Spring, but these aqueducts were built into the ground, not 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.
Archaeology
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 approximately 6 metres across.