שַׁלְמֹן (shal.mon)
shal.mon
reward
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shalmon refers to a payment made in exchange for something, functioning as either a legitimate reward or an illicit bribe depending on the context. Its core meaning centers on compensation or price, without inherent moral judgment attached to the word itself.
This term appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 1:23, where it describes leaders who pursue "bribes" (plural form). The prophet uses this single instance to condemn corrupt judges who accept payment to pervert justice. The context makes clear that here the word carries a negative sense of corruption rather than fair compensation.
Translators typically render shalmon as either "reward" or "bribe," choosing based on whether the surrounding passage depicts righteous behavior or moral failure. This flexibility reflects how ancient Hebrew distinguished intent through context rather than through separate vocabulary for good and bad payments.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word shalmon describes a payment made in exchange for something, functioning as either a legitimate reward or an illicit bribe depending on the context. Its core meaning centers on compensation or price, without inherent moral judgment attached to the word itself. This term appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 1:23, where it describes leaders who pursue "bribes" (plural form). The prophet uses this single instance to condemn corrupt judges who accept payment to pervert justice.
The context makes clear that here the word carries a negative sense of corruption rather than fair compensation. Translators typically render shalmon as either "reward" or "bribe," choosing based on whether the surrounding passage depicts righteous behavior or moral failure. This flexibility reflects how ancient Hebrew distinguished intent through context rather than through separate vocabulary for good and bad payments.
When we encounter this concept today, it invites us to examine our own motivations. Are we seeking fair compensation for honest work, or are we tempted by shortcuts that compromise our integrity? The Bible calls us to uphold justice and protect the vulnerable, reminding us that true righteousness cannot be bought. May we find our reward in faithfulness to God rather than in worldly gain.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- rewards1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַׁלְמֹנִ֑ים1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 1:23
Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes and follows after rewards. They don’t defend the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.
This verse uses the plural form of shalmon to condemn corrupt judges who accept payment to pervert justice, highlighting the word's negative connotation in this specific context.