שְׁלָם (she.lam)
she.lam
peace
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun shalam denotes welfare, prosperity, or peace. It functions as the direct equivalent of the Hebrew shalom, carrying the same broad sense of holistic well-being rather than merely the absence of conflict.
This word appears only twice in the Bible, both within the book of Ezra. In these instances, it reflects the official correspondence between Jewish leaders and Persian authorities, where requests for rebuilding efforts are tied to the prosperity and stability of the community. The usage highlights how political security and communal welfare were viewed as interconnected outcomes.
Its presence in Ezra underscores the practical dimension of peace in post-exilic Judah. For the returned exiles, shalam meant more than spiritual harmony; it signified tangible safety and the ability to rebuild their lives under imperial protection. The term bridges the gap between divine blessing and earthly stability.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shalam offers a glimpse into how ancient communities understood safety and stability. In Ezra, it appears in official letters between Jewish leaders and Persian kings. This usage shows that peace was not just an internal feeling but a tangible reality involving political security and the ability to rebuild lives. For those returning from exile, this term represented divine blessing manifesting as earthly protection.
When we consider our own lives, shalam reminds us that God cares about our practical needs. It is not only about spiritual harmony but also about the stability that allows us to flourish. Whether in times of uncertainty or prosperity, we can trust that God’s peace encompasses both our inner rest and our outer circumstances. This holistic view invites us to seek wholeness in every area of life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- peace/ the1×
- peace1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׁלָמָ֥/א1×
- שְׁלָ֖ם1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 4:17
Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions who live in Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River: Peace.
This verse uses shalam as a formal greeting in royal correspondence, highlighting how peace was understood as a state of official welfare and security between nations.
-
Ezra 5:7
They sent a letter to him, in which was written: To Darius the king, all peace.
Here the term appears in a letter to King Darius, linking the community's request for rebuilding permissions directly to their desire for continued peace and stability under imperial rule.