שָׁלָה (sha.lah)
sha.lah
to prosper
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb shalah describes a state of being at rest, quiet, or at ease. It conveys more than simple physical relaxation; it implies a sense of prosperity and security where one is free from disturbance or anxiety. In the Old Testament, this word appears in only five verses, primarily within Job, Psalms, and Lamentations, reflecting its use in contexts of deep personal reflection or communal lament.
Its usage often contrasts with turmoil or distress. For instance, in Psalm 4:8, the psalmist declares that he will lie down and sleep in peace, using this term to express confidence in God’s protection after a day of trouble. The word suggests a settled calmness, whether it is the quiet rest of an individual or the prosperous stability of a community. It captures the feeling of being safe and undisturbed.
Translators typically render shalah as "peace," "quiet," or "prosper" depending on the context. While it shares some ground with other Hebrew words for peace, its specific nuance lies in the absence of agitation. It paints a picture of life moving smoothly, without the friction of fear or conflict, offering a glimpse into the biblical ideal of inner and outer harmony.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shalah paints a picture of life moving smoothly, without the friction of fear or conflict. It suggests a settled calmness where one feels safe and undisturbed by the worries of the day. This is not merely physical relaxation but a deep sense of security that comes from trusting in God’s protection.
When troubles arise, as seen in Job’s lament, the absence of this peace becomes painfully clear. Yet, even in times of distress, the hope remains that God can bring stability to our hearts. We can pray for this quiet rest, knowing that true prosperity includes inner harmony and freedom from anxiety.
This promise invites us to seek a peace that surpasses understanding. It is a gift we can receive when we place our confidence in the Lord, allowing Him to calm the storms around us and within us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they are at peace1×
- they are at ease1×
- may they be at ease1×
- are they at ease?1×
- I am at ease1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁלַ֨וְתִּי\׀1×
- שָׁל֖וּ1×
- שָׁל֔וּ1×
- יִשְׁלָ֤יוּ1×
- יִ֝שְׁלָ֗יוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 122:6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper.
The psalmist links praying for Jerusalem’s peace directly with personal prosperity, showing that communal well-being is tied to individual security.
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Job 3:26
I am not at ease, neither am I quiet, neither do I have rest; but trouble comes.”
Job uses this word to describe the deep inner rest he has lost, highlighting how trouble disrupts even the soul’s quietest moments.
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Jeremiah 12:1
You are righteous, Yahweh, when I contend with you; yet I would like to plead a case with you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are they all at ease who deal very treacherously?
The prophet questions why the wicked seem to enjoy this ease and security while the righteous struggle, revealing a tension in divine justice.