Well, my dear friend, this is a very good question, and I am pleased to say that it shows that you know your Bible! Actually, it can be both, or so I believe. The word Shiloh has various meanings, but essentially it means “peace,” or “possessor of peace.” In Genesis 49:10 we can see that the term refers to the Messiah, the Christ, who would be called “the Prince of Peace, and it is He in the end times who will bring true peace on earth through the house of Judah. In Genesis 49:10 (NKJV) we read: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.”

Shiloh is of course also a place. In the Morrish Bible Dictionary we read: “A place within the territory of Ephraim (which tribe had the first-born’s place), and where the tabernacle was located at the close of the life of Joshua (who was also of the tribe of Ephraim); Eli was priest there, and there Samuel began his ministry. The ark had been removed from Gilgal and remained at Shiloh until it was carried into the camp and captured by the Philistines. God had put His name there, but because of the wickedness of the Israelites He forsook the tabernacle at Shiloh, and the place was afterwards held up as a sign of desolation. The break-down of the flesh, represented by Ephraim the firstborn, in the day of battle, made way for the election of God, who chose the tribe of Judah and Mount Zion. Psalm. 78:9, 60-68; Jeremiah 7: 12, 14; Jeremiah 26:6-9.” (SF) (720.1)