Heretofore Gilgal had been the headquarters of the nation and the seat of the tabernacle. But now the tabernacle was to be removed to the place chosen for its permanent location. This was Shiloh, a little town in the lot of Ephraim. It was near the center of the land, and was easy of access to all the tribes. Here a portion of country had been thoroughly subdued, so that the worshipers would not be molested. "And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there." The tribes that were still encamped when the tabernacle was removed from Gilgal followed it, and pitched near Shiloh. Here these tribes remained until they dispersed to their possessions.

Folket havde hidtil haft deres hovedkvarter i Gilgal, der også havde været hjemsted for tabernaklet. Nu skulle dette flyttes til den lille by Silo, der lå i Efraims område. Denne by lå næsten midt i landet og var centralt beliggende for alle stammerne. I denne del af landet var fjenderne fuldstændig besejret, så der var ikke fare for, at de tilbedende ville lide overlast fra deres side. "Hele israelitternes menighed kom sammen i Silo, og de rejste åbenbaringsteltet der." De stammer, der stadig boede i lejren i Gilgal, da tabernaklet blev flyttet, fulgte med og slog sig ned i nærheden af Silo. Her blev de boende, til de flyttede ud til deres arvelod.