Who is Shiloh?

The word “Shiloh” is used only one time in Scripture in this specific form/spelling: שִׁילֹה and has been long recognized in both ancient Judaism and Christianity as a “Messianic title (pertaining to the Messiah)” although some alternative ideas have developed over time in regards to the exact meaning of the word.

[Genesis 49] (1) And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: (2) “Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob, and listen to Israel your father.

… (8) Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise. Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies. Your father’s children shall bow down before you. (9) Judah is a lion’s whelp. From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion, and as a lion, who shall rouse him? (10) 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. (11) Binding his donkey to the vine, and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine. He washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes. (12) His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.”

Strong's Concordance #7886: Shiloh -  שִׁילֹה

Definition: Perhaps "he whose it is,” a Messianic title.

From “Shalah,” tranquil; Shiloh, an epithet of the Messiah -- Shiloh.

Alternative translations for Genesis chapter 49 verse 10:

 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, as long as men come to Shiloh; and unto him shall the obedience of the peoples be.” (JPS 1917)

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to Shiloh; and unto him shall the obedience of the peoples be.” (JPS- literal translation)

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, so that Tribute(Shiloh) shall come to him; and the homage of peoples be his.” (JPS)

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” (KJV)

“The scepter turneth not aside from Judah, and a lawgiver from between his feet, till his Seed(Shiloh) come; and his is the obedience of peoples.” (Young’s Literal Translation)

“The scepter shall not be taken away from Judah, nor a ruler from his thigh, till he come that-is-to-be-sent(Shiloh), and he shall be the expectation of nations. (Douay-Rheims Bible)

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute(Shiloh) comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” (ESV)

“The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to-whom-it-belongs(Shiloh). To him will the obedience of the peoples be.” (World English Bible)

“The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he-to-whom-it belongs(Shiloh) shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” (NIV)

Hebrew words often portray a concept and can mean more than one thing.  Many popular/well-respected Bible translations suggest and solidify the idea that not only does Shiloh receive the scepter of Judah, which belongs to him(he to whom it belongs/he whose it is), that he is a literal “seed/descendant” of Judah, and is also a “tribute,” and one “that is(was) to be sent,” assuming the accuracy in these respectable translations from scholars. 

Shiloh translation from major Bible-translations--- "Tibute"(JPS/ESV), "his Seed"(Young’s Literal Translation), "that is to be sent"(Douay-Rheims Bible), "to whom it belongs"(World English Bible/NIV).

What is a Tribute?

Tribute (Dictionary.com): 1. a gift, testimonial, compliment, or the like, given as due or in acknowledgment of gratitude or esteem. 2. a stated sum or other valuable consideration paid by one sovereign or state to another in acknowledgment of subjugation or as the price of peace, security, protection, or the like. 3. a rent, tax, or the like, as that paid by a subject to a sovereign. 4. any exacted or enforced payment or contribution. 5. obligation or liability to make such payment. --- Synonyms: Expand 1. recognition, commendation, eulogy. 4. levy, toll, impost, duty. --- Tribute (British Dictionary): noun 1. a gift or statement made in acknowledgment, gratitude, or admiration 2. a payment by one ruler or state to another, usually as an acknowledgment of submission any tax levied for such a payment 3. (in feudal society) homage or a payment rendered by a vassal to his lord  4. the obligation to pay tribute. --- Word Origin C14: from Latin tribūtum, from tribuere to grant (originally: to distribute among the tribes), from tribus tribe. (Collins English Dictionary)

As a side note, the KJV translation of the Scriptures say that unto Shiloh “shall the gathering(yiqhah) of the people be,” the Douay-Rheims Bible translates this same word as "expectation."  Although the Hebrew word “yiqhah” most usually translates to “obedience,” it can also translate to “gathering” or "expectation," being a possible foreshadowing of the end-time ingathering of God’s people.

Yiqhah translation from major Bible-translations--- Obedience(JPS 1917), Gathering (KJV/Jubilee), Homage (JPS), Expectation (Douay-Rheims Bible)