בִּשְׁלָם (bish.lam)
bish.lam
Bishlam
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Bishlam is a proper name appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in Ezra 4:7 as one of the officials who wrote to King Artaxerxes. The sources suggest his name likely means "in peace" or "son of peace," a fitting title for a Persian administrator operating in a region marked by political tension and religious uncertainty.
His brief mention highlights the complex diplomatic landscape of the post-exilic period. As a Persian officer, he represents the imperial authority that both protected and restricted the Jewish community’s efforts to rebuild Jerusalem. The name itself serves as a quiet reminder that even in times of conflict, individuals carried identities rooted in stability.
Though his role in the narrative is minimal, Bishlam illustrates how personal names often reflected cultural values or political realities. In this case, the meaning "in peace" contrasts with the underlying tensions described in Ezra, where letters and decrees shaped the fate of a returning community.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Bishlam appears only once in Scripture, recorded in Ezra 4:7 among those who wrote to King Artaxerxes. While the text does not elaborate on his personal life or faith journey, his presence reminds us that history is shaped by many individuals, some known and others nearly forgotten. Even in times of political tension and uncertainty, people carried names that reflected their cultural values or aspirations for stability.
For readers today, this brief mention invites reflection on how our own identities are formed. Whether we live in seasons of peace or conflict, our names and reputations often speak to the communities we belong to. The contrast between Bishlam’s name—meaning “in peace”—and the political strife surrounding him shows that personal identity can stand apart from external circumstances.
This small detail encourages us to consider how we present ourselves in difficult times. It is a quiet reminder that even when the world feels unstable, individuals can carry meanings of hope and peace within their very names. Such insights help us appreciate the depth of biblical history and the human stories woven into its pages.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Bishlam1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בִּשְׁלָ֜ם1×
Key Verses
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Ezra 4:7
In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in Syrian and delivered in the Syrian language.
Bishlam is listed among the officials who drafted a letter to King Artaxerxes, illustrating how personal names were embedded in the political correspondence of the post-exilic period.