שַׁלָבִּים (sha.lav)
sha.lav
frame
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shalavim refers to the joinings or connecting pieces that hold the bases together. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the detailed description of Solomon’s Temple in 1 Kings 7:33 and 35. In these passages, the term describes the structural components that secure the bronze stands supporting the laver.
Its meaning is strictly architectural and functional. The word denotes the physical mechanism of joining, specifically how separate parts are linked to form a stable unit. It does not carry metaphorical or spiritual connotations in Scripture but serves as a precise technical term for craftsmanship. Translators typically render it as "joinings" or "connections," emphasizing its role in the temple’s construction rather than any theological symbolism.
Because the word is so rare, it highlights the meticulous attention to detail in the biblical account of the Temple’s creation. The sources confirm that shalavim was essential for the stability of the sacred furniture, ensuring that the large bronze vessels remained securely assembled. This specificity underscores the importance placed on order and durability in the worship space.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we look at the detailed descriptions of Solomon’s Temple, words like shalavim remind us that God cares about the small things. These joinings were not decorative; they were essential for holding the heavy bronze stands together. This shows that stability in worship comes from secure foundations and careful construction.
In our own lives, we often focus on the visible parts of faith—the services, the songs, or the public acts. Yet there is a quiet strength in the connections that hold us together. Just as these joinings kept the sacred vessels steady, the relationships and disciplines that bind us to Christ and each other provide the stability needed for a lasting life of faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ cross bars3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/שְׁלַבִּֽים\׃1×
- הַ/שְׁלַבִּ֗ים1×
- הַ/שְׁלַבִּ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 7:28
The work of the bases was like this: they had panels; and there were panels between the ledges;
This verse introduces the bases that required these joinings, highlighting the structural complexity of the temple furniture.
-
I Kings 7:29
and on the panels that were between the ledges were lions, oxen, and cherubim; and on the ledges there was a pedestal above; and beneath the lions and oxen were wreaths of hanging work.
The mention of lions and oxen on these panels shows how the joinings supported both functional weight and artistic detail.