שָׁלֵו (sha.lev)
sha.lev
at ease
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective shalév describes a state of being at ease, quiet, or prosperous. It paints a picture of peace that is both internal and external, applying to people who are free from anxiety and to lands that are tranquil. The word suggests a solid, untroubled well-being rather than a fleeting moment of happiness.
Its usage in Scripture highlights this stability. In Job 21:13, the wicked man dies "in ease" (shalév), illustrating how the term can describe a life that appears secure and undisturbed, regardless of moral standing. Similarly, Zechariah 8:5 depicts Jerusalem’s streets as full of children playing in shalév, capturing a sense of communal safety and quiet joy.
This word often stands in contrast to turmoil or distress. It is not merely the absence of noise, but the presence of security. Translators typically render it as "at ease" or "quiet," preserving the image of a life that flows without interruption or fear.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word shalév describes a deep sense of being at ease. It is more than just a quiet moment; it suggests a solid, untroubled well-being where anxiety does not disturb the heart. In Scripture, this state often reflects external safety and internal peace, painting a picture of life that flows without fear or interruption.
We see this concept in Zechariah 7:7, where Jerusalem is described as inhabited and prosperous. It reminds us that true ease comes from security and stability. While the wicked may appear at ease in Psalms 73:12, lasting peace is rooted in God’s presence rather than mere circumstances.
When life feels chaotic, we can look to this word for hope. Shalév invites us to trust in a peace that remains steady even when storms rage outside. It is a blessing of quiet strength and unshaken trust in God’s care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ at ease3×
- at ease2×
- quiet1×
- and/ [people] at ease of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁלֵ֣ו1×
- שָׁ֘לֵ֤ו1×
- שְׁלֵ֛יו1×
- וּ/שְׁלֵוָ֔ה1×
- וּ/שְׁלֵוָ֑ה1×
- וְ/שָׁלֵֽיו\׃1×
- וְ/שַׁלְוֵ֥י1×
Key Verses
-
Job 21:23
One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
This verse illustrates how the word describes a life that appears completely secure and undisturbed, even if it lacks spiritual depth.
-
Psalms 73:12
Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
Here the term highlights the deceptive nature of wicked prosperity, showing that external ease does not guarantee divine favor.
-
Zechariah 7:7
Aren’t these the words which Yahweh proclaimed by the former prophets when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and its cities around her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?’”
The word captures a time of communal safety and quiet joy when Jerusalem was inhabited and prosperous under God’s blessing.