Lexical Summary
shalom: Peace, completeness, welfare, well-being, safety, prosperity
Original Word:שָׁלוֹם
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:shalowm
Pronunciation:shah-LOHM
Phonetic Spelling:(shaw-lome')
KJV: X do, familiar, X fare, favour, + friend, X great, (good) health, (X perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, (X all is, be) well, X wholly
NASB:peace, well, welfare, safely, safety, well-being, peacefully
Word Origin:[fromH7999 (שָׁלַם - To be complete)]
1. safe
2. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly
3. (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
well, favor, friend, great, good health, perfect,
Or shalom {shaw-lome'}; fromshalam; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. Health, prosperity, peace -- X do, familiar, X fare, favour, + friend, X great, (good) health, (X perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, (X all is, be) well, X wholly.
see HEBREWshalam
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
shalemDefinitioncompleteness, soundness, welfare, peace
NASB Translationclose (2), ease (1), favorable (1), friend* (1), friendly terms (1), friends* (2), greet (1), greet* (5), greeted* (1), health (1), how (1), Peace (2), peace (153), peaceably (1), peaceful (2), peacefully (3), perfect peace (1), prosperity (3), rose (1), safe (2), safely (7), safety (6), secure (1), state (1), trusted (1), welfare (14), well (17), well-being (5), who were at peace (1), wholly (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
237Isaiah 54:13 (Lag
BN 174); —
Genesis 29:6 +; (rare)
Ezekiel 13:16 +; construct
Genesis 37:14 +; suffix
Psalm 41:10 +, etc.; plural (all dubious)
Jeremiah 13:19;
Psalm 69:23; suffix
Psalm 55:21; —
completeness in number,Jeremiah 13:19 Judah iswholly carried captive (but read , compareAmos 1:6; so WeAmos SS Buhl).
safety, soundness, in body,Psalm 38:4;Isaiah 38:17; (Ges§ 141c)Job 5:24is safe, secure.
welfare, health, prosperity:ask oneabout welfareGenesis 43:27 (J),Exodus 18:7 (E),Judges 18:15 7t., compare2 Samuel 11:7 (3 t. in verse); pregnantly2 Kings 10:13descend (to ask)about welfare of, compare1 Samuel 17:18;Jeremiah 38:4;Exodus 4:18 (E) + 5 t.;Genesis 44:17 (J),1 Samuel 25:35;Genesis 37:4 (JE);be well withGenesis 29:6;Genesis 43:23,28 (J),Judges 6:23;Judges 19:20;1 Samuel 20:7,21 10t.,2 Kings 4:26 (3 t. in verse);Psalm 122:7;Psalm 122:8may it be well in; absolute as object ofwell, be well,Genesis 29:6 (J),2 Samuel 18:28;2 Kings 9:11,17,18,19,22;Jeremiah 6:14 (twice in verse) + 10 t.; (Ges§ 141c)Genesis 43:27 (J);1 Samuel 16:4 (see Dr),1 Kings 2:13;Jeremiah 6:14 3t.;Isaiah 48:22;Isaiah 57:21; butPsalm 73:3;Psalm 37:11;Psalm 72:7;Psalm 122:6; ("" )Deuteronomy 23:7;Ezra 9:12;Proverbs 3:2;Job 15:21in time of prosperity.
peace, quiet, tranquility, contentment,Isaiah 32:17 ("" );Psalm 4:9 (to sleep); depart lifein tranquillityGenesis 15:15 (RJE),1 Kings 2:6 3t.,Isaiah 57:2;Psalm 37:37;Exodus 18:23 (E)come in contentment;Jeremiah 12:5; ("" )Isaiah 32:18, compareJeremiah 25:37;Job 21:9;Psalm 69:23security, (let it)become a trap (but Aq Symm Theod Jerome , Du (compare )peace-offerings, and va).
peace, friendship:
Jeremiah 20:10man of my friendship, compareJeremiah 38:22; Obadiah 7;Psalm 41:10;Zechariah 6:13;Proverbs 12:20; (, )Psalm 28:3;Psalm 35:20;Jeremiah 9:7;Psalm 34:15;Isaiah 59:8;Isaiah 59:8;Genesis 26:29 (J);Genesis 26:31 (J),1 Samuel 29:7 4t.;2 Samuel 15:27; "" in Messianic reignPsalm 72:3.
peace with God, especially in covenant relation:Isaiah 54:10covt. of my peace, compareNumbers 25:12 (P),Ezekiel 34:25;Ezekiel 37:26, alsoMalachi 2:5; as name of altarJudges 6:24; subjectNumbers 6:26 (P);Psalm 29:11;Psalm 35:27;Jeremiah 33:9;Jeremiah 16:5 ("" );Psalm 85:9;Haggai 2:9;Jeremiah 29:11; man subjectIsaiah 27:5 (twice in verse);Malachi 2:6. In this sense ""Psalm 85:11, ""Isaiah 54:13;Isaiah 60:17, ""Isaiah 55:12, islike a riverIsaiah 48:18;Isaiah 66:12;Psalm 125:5;Psalm 128:6,Psalm 119:165;Isaiah 53:5chastisement for our peace (but SS Buhl ).
peace from war: ()make peace (with)Joshua 9:15;Job 25:2;Leviticus 26:6 (H);Judges 4:17;1 Samuel 7:14;1 Kings 5:26;Deuteronomy 20:10;Judges 21:13;Micah 3:5;Joshua 10:21 (E),Judges 8:9;Judges 11:31;2 Samuel 19:25;2 Samuel 19:31 7t.;1 Kings 5:4 3t., compare2 Samuel 17:3 (see Dr);Ezekiel 7:25;Isaiah 33:7;1 Chronicles 22:9;Songs 8:10;Isaiah 39:8 =2 Kings 20:19 3t., compareZechariah 8:19;Ecclesiastes 3:8;1 Kings 2:5in time of peace;Isaiah 9:5 (Messianic title), compareMicah 5:4.
as adjectivePsalm 55:21those at peace with him (read Bae Buhl Du, or SS; apparently ).
Topical Lexicon
Concept and ScopeShalom embraces completeness, soundness, welfare, safety, tranquillity, friendship, and covenantal harmony. Across some 237 Old Testament occurrences it describes right relationship with God, neighbor, and creation, extending from internal serenity to societal order.
Peace as Wholeness and Well-being
The earliest narrative uses connect shalom with unthreatened life. “You will go to your fathers in peace” (Genesis 15:15) depicts a full, untroubled end. InPsalm 4:8 David prays, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety,” joining inward rest to divine guardianship. Proverbs links shalom to wisdom’s pathways: “All her paths are peace” (Proverbs 3:17), teaching that right ordering of life produces holistic well-being.
Covenantal Peace
Shalom often marks divine covenant. The Aaronic Benediction promises, “The LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:26).Ezekiel 34:25 foretells a “covenant of peace” that removes hostility from the land, whileMalachi 2:5 recalls Levi’s call: “My covenant was one of life and peace.” Covenant shalom is never a mere feeling; it is the settled state of relationship secured by the LORD’s promises and sustained by obedience.
Liturgical and Priestly Usage
Sacrificial “peace offerings” (shelamim) underline restored fellowship. After Gideon’s encounter the text reads, “Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace” (Judges 6:24). Worship culminates in shared meals symbolizing complete reconciliation, foreshadowing messianic communion.
Peace in Personal Greetings and Farewells
Shalom functions as everyday greeting and blessing. When Eli dismissed Hannah he said, “Go in peace” (1 Samuel 1:17). David’s covenant with Jonathan ends, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD” (1 Samuel 20:42). Such usages root ordinary conversation in theological reality: the speaker invokes God’s wholeness over the other’s life.
National and Political Peace
Shalom can signify absence of war (Joshua 10:21) or the stability of a kingdom (1 Chronicles 12:18). Solomon’s reign illustrates: “Judah and Israel lived in safety… every man under his vine and fig tree” (1 Kings 4:25). Yet prophets warn against counterfeit calm: “They dress the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). True national shalom depends on covenant fidelity.
Moral and Ethical Dimensions
Isaiah unites righteousness and peace: “The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17). Wickedness forfeits shalom: “There is no peace… for the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22). Thus shalom is both gift and moral demand, calling God’s people to justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Prophetic Oracles and Messianic Anticipation
Isaiah 9:6 proclaims the coming Child as “Prince of Peace.” His government brings endless shalom (Isaiah 9:7).Zechariah 9:10 foresees Messiah who “will proclaim peace to the nations.” These promises expand shalom beyond Israel to global restoration. Micah pictures eschatological security: “Nation will not lift sword against nation… they will sit under their own vines and fig trees, and no one will make them afraid” (Micah 4:3-4).
Shalom and Salvation
Several passages employ shalom where English translations read “prosperity” or “welfare,” as inJeremiah 29:11: “I know the plans I have for you… plans for peace and not calamity, to give you a future and a hope.” Salvation encompasses material welfare, spiritual renewal, and relational reconciliation—dimensions captured in shalom.
Practical Ministry Applications
1. Pastoral blessing: Use the priestly benediction (Numbers 6:24-26) to assure congregations of God’s holistic care.
2. Reconciliation ministry: Model Gideon’s altar—declare “The LORD is Peace” in conflict mediation, reminding believers that peace is a Person before it is a circumstance.
3. Social justice: Pursue Isaiah’s vision where righteousness and peace kiss; advocate policies that mirror covenant ethics.
4. Prayer: Intercede for civic authorities perPsalm 122:6-7, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem… May there be peace within your walls.”
Cross-Testament Continuity
Hebrew shalom converges with Greek eirēnē. Jesus greets disciples, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). Paul amplifies: “He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14), echoing Isaiah. The fruit of the Spirit includes peace (Galatians 5:22), evidencing the indwelling realization of Old Testament promise. Revelation concludes with the unbroken shalom of the new heavens and earth where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). Thus shalom, inaugurated in creation, fractured by sin, and restored through Christ, frames the entire redemptive story.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּשָׁל֑וֹם בְּשָׁל֔וֹם בְּשָׁל֖וֹם בְּשָׁל֣וֹם בְּשָׁל֤וֹם בְּשָׁלֹ֑ם בְּשָׁלֹ֖ם בְּשָׁלֽוֹם׃ בְּשָׁלוֹם֒ בְשָׁל֔וֹם בְשָׁל֖וֹם בְשָׁל֣וֹם בְשָׁלֽוֹם׃ בִּשְׁלֹמָ֗יו בִשְׁלוֹמָ֔הּ בַּ֝שָּׁל֗וֹם בַשָּׁלֽוֹם׃ בשלום בשלום׃ בשלומה בשלם בשלמיו הֲשָׁל֔וֹם הֲשָׁל֛וֹם הֲשָׁל֣וֹם הֲשָׁל֥וֹם הֲשָׁלֽוֹם׃ הַשָּׁל֑וֹם הַשָּׁל֔וֹם הַשָּׁל֗וֹם השלום השלום׃ וְ֝שָׁל֗וֹם וְהַ֨שָּׁל֔וֹם וְהַשָּׁל֖וֹם וְלִשְׁל֖וֹם וְלִשְׁל֣וֹם וְלִשְׁלוֹמִ֥ים וְשָׁל֗וֹם וְשָׁל֣וֹם וְשָׁל֥וֹם וְשָׁלוֹם֙ וּבְשָׁל֖וֹם וּלְשָׁל֖וֹם וּלְשָׁל֣וֹם ובשלום והשלום ולשלום ולשלומים ושלום לְשָׁל֑וֹם לְשָׁל֔וֹם לְשָׁל֖וֹם לְשָׁל֛וֹם לְשָׁל֜וֹם לְשָׁל֞וֹם לְשָׁל֥וֹם לְשָׁלֹ֖ם לְשָׁלֹֽם׃ לְשָׁלֽוֹם׃ לְשָׁלוֹם֙ לִשְׁל֤וֹם לִשְׁל֥וֹם לום לשלום לשלום׃ לשלם לשלם׃ מִשָּׁל֛וֹם משלום שְׁל֖וֹם שְׁל֣וֹם שְׁל֤וֹם שְׁל֥וֹם שְׁלֹמֶ֑ךָ שְׁלֹמֶ֔ךָ שְׁלֹמָ֖ם שְׁלֹמָ֛ם שְׁלוֹמִ֔י שְׁלוֹמִ֜י שְׁלוֹמִ֨י ׀ שְׁלוֹמִֽים׃ שְׁלוֹמִי֙ שְׁלוֹמֵ֙נוּ֙ שְׁלוֹמֶ֔ךָ שָׁ֘ל֥וֹם שָׁ֝ל֗וֹם שָׁ֭לוֹם שָׁל֑וֹם שָׁל֔וֹם שָׁל֖וֹם שָׁל֗וֹם שָׁל֛וֹם שָׁל֜וֹם שָׁל֣וֹם שָׁל֣וֹם ׀ שָׁל֤וֹם שָׁל֥וֹם שָׁל֨וֹם שָׁל֨וֹם ׀ שָׁלֹ֑ם שָׁלֹ֔ם שָׁלֹ֗ם שָׁלֹ֥ם שָׁלֽוֹם׃ שָׁלוֹם֙ שלום שלום׃ שלומי שלומים׃ שלומך שלומנו שלם שלמך שלמם baš·šā·lō·wm ḇaš·šā·lō·wm bashshaLom baššālōwm ḇaššālōwm bə·šā·lō·wm ḇə·šā·lō·wm bə·šā·lōm bəšālōm bəšālōwm ḇəšālōwm beshaLom biš·lō·māw ḇiš·lō·w·māh bishloMav bišlōmāw ḇišlōwmāh hă·šā·lō·wm haš·šā·lō·wm hăšālōwm hashaLom hashshaLom haššālōwm lə·šā·lō·wm lə·šā·lōm ləšālōm ləšālōwm leshaLom liš·lō·wm lishLom lišlōwm lō·wm Lom lōwm miš·šā·lō·wm mishshaLom miššālōwm šā·lō·wm šā·lōm šālōm šālōwm šə·lō·mām šə·lō·me·ḵā šə·lō·w·me·ḵā šə·lō·w·mê·nū šə·lō·w·mî šə·lō·w·mîm šə·lō·wm šəlōmām šəlōmeḵā šəlōwm šəlōwmeḵā šəlōwmênū šəlōwmî šəlōwmîm shaLom sheLom sheloMam sheloMecha sheloMenu sheloMi sheloMim ū·ḇə·šā·lō·wm ū·lə·šā·lō·wm ūḇəšālōwm ūləšālōwm uleshaLom uveshaLom vashshaLom vehashshaLom velishLom velishloMim veshaLom vishloMah wə·haš·šā·lō·wm wə·liš·lō·w·mîm wə·liš·lō·wm wə·šā·lō·wm wəhaššālōwm wəlišlōwm wəlišlōwmîm wəšālōwm
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