שַׁלּוּם (shal.lum)
shal.lum
Shallum
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 24 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Shallum means "retribution" or "payment in full." It appears twenty-four times in Scripture, mostly as a proper noun for various Israelite men during the periods of the divided monarchy and the post-exilic restoration. The sources identify several distinct individuals bearing this name, ranging from kings to temple gatekeepers.
Two figures stand out historically. One Shallum was a conspirator who assassinated King Zechariah of Israel, ending the dynasty of Jehu after reigning only one month (2 Kings 15:10). Another Shallum served as king of Judah; he was the son of Josiah and husband of the prophetess Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), though he reigned for just three months before being taken captive to Egypt.
The name also appears in genealogical lists, identifying Levites, priests, and family heads involved in rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls or managing temple service under Ezra and Nehemiah. This variety shows how a single name connected different layers of Israel’s religious and political life during its final centuries as an independent nation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shallum carries the weight of completion and payment in full. In a life often marked by unfinished business or lingering debts, this name points to a profound truth: God’s work is never left half-done. Whether it refers to a king who reigned briefly or a gatekeeper guarding the temple, the name reminds us that every role in God’s story has purpose and closure.
When we face seasons of uncertainty, like the kings who ruled for only months, we can find peace in knowing that our lives are held by One who brings things to their intended end. The biblical record shows Shallum in many contexts—political intrigue, temple service, family lineage—yet each instance reflects a life accounted for. This word invites us to trust that God sees the whole picture, even when our own view is limited.
Ultimately, Shallum points to the faithfulness of God to complete what He begins. It is a reminder that no effort in His kingdom is wasted, and no promise goes unfulfilled. We can rest in the assurance that our lives, like the name itself, are part of a larger narrative moving toward completion.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 24 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shallum21×
- and/ Shallum3×
- of/ Shallum1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַׁלֻּ֣ם3×
- שַׁלּ֥וּם3×
- שַׁלּ֤וּם3×
- שַׁלּֽוּם\׃2×
- שַׁלֻּ֥ם2×
- שַׁלּוּם֙1×
- שַׁלֻּם֙1×
- שַׁלֻּ֨ם1×
- שַׁלֻּ֖ם1×
- שַׁלֻּ֔ם1×
- שַׁלּ֣וּם1×
- שַׁלּ֖וּם1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 22:14
So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter); and they talked with her.
This verse identifies Shallum as the husband of the prophetess Huldah, linking his name to a pivotal moment when Judah sought God’s word through prophecy.
-
Jeremiah 22:11
For Yahweh says touching Shallum the son of Josiah, king of Judah, who reigned instead of Josiah his father, and who went out of this place: “He won’t return there any more.
Here Jeremiah pronounces judgment on Shallum son of Josiah, showing how the name appears in a context of divine warning and historical consequence.
-
I Chronicles 9:17
The gatekeepers: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their brothers (Shallum was the chief),
Shallum is listed as chief among the gatekeepers, illustrating his role in maintaining sacred order and access to God’s house.
-
Nehemiah 3:12
Next to him, Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters made repairs.
This occurrence highlights Shallum leading repairs on Jerusalem’s wall, demonstrating active participation in restoring the community’s physical and spiritual boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Shallum mean?
How is Shallum different from Shalom?
Why does Shallum appear so many times in Scripture?
Every Occurrence (24 verses across 6 books)
II Kings 5 verses
Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and struck him before the people and killed him, and reigned in his…
II Kings 15:13Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah, and he reigned for a month…
II Kings 15:14Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, came to Samaria, struck Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, killed him,…
II Kings 15:15Now the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the…
II Kings 22:14So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son…