שַׁלְוָה (shal.vah)
shal.vah
ease
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shalvah describes a state of quietness, ease, or prosperity. It conveys more than just the absence of noise; it suggests a settled security and freedom from anxiety. In the Old Testament, this word often appears in contexts where peace is contrasted with turmoil or distress, highlighting a stable condition of well-being.
Its usage spans wisdom literature and prophetic texts. For instance, Proverbs 19:23 links shalvah directly to the fear of the Lord, suggesting that reverence for God leads to this deep-seated safety. Similarly, in Daniel, the Aramaic equivalent shelevah is used to describe a time of rest or peace, showing how the concept extends across languages within the biblical canon.
Translators typically render shalvah as "quietness" or "ease," capturing its essence without adding theological baggage. The word reflects a holistic sense of flourishing, where external circumstances align with internal calm. This integration of physical safety and spiritual peace remains a central theme in biblical wisdom.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we think of peace, we often imagine the absence of conflict or noise. The Hebrew word shalvah offers a richer picture: it is a settled security, a deep ease that comes from knowing you are safe. It is not merely a quiet room, but a heart at rest because trust has replaced anxiety.
This kind of ease is linked to wisdom and reverence for God. Proverbs reminds us that true well-being is found in simple contentment rather than chaotic abundance. When we seek God’s guidance, we move toward a stability that protects our souls from the turmoil of the world around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ quietness2×
- in/ prosperity/ your1×
- ease1×
- and/ quietness1×
- and/ in/ prosperity1×
- and/ [the] ease of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַׁ֝לְוָ֗ה1×
- וּ/בְ/שַׁלְוָ֖ה1×
- וְ/שַׁלְוָה\־1×
- וְ/שַׁלְוַ֖ת1×
- בְּ/שַׁלְוֹתַ֔יִ/ךְ1×
- בְּ/שַׁלְוָ֞ה1×
- בְ/שַׁלְוָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 17:1
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
This verse contrasts the value of simple peace with the stress of a chaotic household, showing shalvah as a preferred state of being.
-
Psalms 122:7
Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.
The prayer for walls and palaces to hold this ease highlights it as a communal blessing of security and stability.
-
Daniel 11:21
“In his place a contemptible person will stand up, to whom they had not given the honor of the kingdom; but he will come in time of security, and will obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
Here the word describes a deceptive time of false security, warning that ease can sometimes mask impending danger.