Meaning “place of rest.” This name was probably given to the site because the tabernacle of the Lord was now, at last, at rest after wandering for more than 40 years.

 It would seem that Shechem might have been chosen, a place in the neighborhood of Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim, which had already, in a sense, been consecrated to God. But evidently Shiloh was the place chosen by God, at least temporarily, to place His dwelling (Deut. 12:5, 11, 14). Three reasons have been given for the suitability of this site:

 (1) it was central,

 (2) it was protected and isolated,

 (3) it was in the tribe of Ephraim, of which Joshua was a member.

 Thus, he as the leader of the nation would have ready access to the sanctuary whenever he would need to consult the God of Israel. Excavations have verified the statement found in Judges 21:19 giving its location as “on the north side of Beth-el, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Beth-el to Schechem.” It is known as Seilûn today, and is situated on a saddle between two low hills east of the main road running from Jerusalem to Shechem at a place 9 1/2 mi. (15 km.) north of Bethel and 3 mi. (5 km.) southeast of Lebonah. It was the most central location to all the tribes, and here the ark remained for about 300 years until it was taken by the Philistines in the time of Eli (1 Sam. 4:1-11; PP 514).

 The surrounding area being subdued and the three tribes, Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh (chs. 15 to 17) having taken possession, there was nothing to hinder the tabernacle from being moved from its protected place at Gilgal to this central location. This was done, even before the division of the remainder of the land between the remaining tribes.