The word שָׁלום Shalom, as well as the word Alleluiais, probably, the best known word in Biblical Hebrew! Shalom is usually translated as the word “peace”, but this translation alone may be misleading. What happens when we look deeper into the Biblical Hebrew itself and peel back a few layers of translation? Once again, we can begin to see something we could not see before.
It is intriguing that the word Shalom (Root:ש.ל.מ SH–L–M) is connected with such verbs as לְהַשְׁלִים “leHaShlim”, which means “to fulfill that which is lacking” and לְשַׁלֵּם “leShalem” which means “to make a payment”.
Therefore, when we read in the Scriptures, “Peace be with you!” (שָׁלום עֲלֵיכֶם Shalom Aleichem) knowing that the word שָׁלום Shalom is connected not only with peace, but also with fulfillment of something lacking or a paid bill on our behalf, it helps us to grasp Biblical teachings and context that much better than we could before.
In the light of this I want to personally invite you to learn to read the Bible in its original language! You can do it from the comfort of your own home and you can begin in just in few short weeks! One of my colleagues will touch base with you soon to talk about fees, dates, schedule, particular teachers, etc. To get details about our Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek courses, please, click HERE.
© Dr. Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg. All rights reserved.
The best explanation of SHALOM I’ve ever read!
Thank you Dr. Eli.
Thanks, Paulo and welcome to our study group. Dr. Eli
From the studies of Dr. John Gill (1690-1771):
Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:
Numbers 25:12
Baal Hatfurira on the place says, that “Shalom”, peace, is by geometry, or numerically, the Messiah; who is the peace, the peace maker, and peace giver, and in whom all the blessings of grace and peace are: and if this covenant is the same with the covenant of the priesthood in the next verse, it may be so called, because the priests had a peculiar nearness to God, and enjoyed his friendship, favour, and peace with him, and because the right administration of their office was the means of peace between God and his people; in this also Phinehas was a type of Christ; the covenant of grace made with him is called the covenant of peace, Isa 54:10 for in this covenant the scheme of peace and reconciliation was formed, agreed to, and settled; Christ was appointed the peace maker, which he agreed to be; and in consequence of it was sent and obtained peace by the blood of his cross, which is published in the everlasting Gospel, called therefore the Gospel of peace.
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
Isaiah 54:10
the covenant of grace made with Christ and his people in him from everlasting, so called, because peace is a considerable article of it; even that peace which was upon the heart and thought of God from everlasting; the scheme of which was drawn by him; all things relating to it were settled in this covenant, as that Christ should be the Maker of it, and that it should be made by his blood; besides, peace includes all the blessings of grace which that covenant is stored with; and the covenant is the spring and source of all peace, spiritual and eternal: moreover, as this refers to Gospel times, the new covenant is here meant, and the publication of it, in which the Gospel of peace, or peace by Jesus Christ, is preached unto men; to which may be added, that one part, at least, of the sense of the passage, may be, that notwithstanding all the troubles and exercises the church of Christ should meet with, yet the promise and covenant of God, that it should enjoy peace and prosperity in the latter day, should never be made void, but should have its sure and certain accomplishment:
Dr Eli.
Thank you so much for this insight.
Also I want to know that when reading Numbers 6:26
וישׂם לך שׁלום
This peace can it then be interpreted as “the blessing of the LORD that fulfil that we which lack” (making us complete)
and then also if it comes from bill paid in full, can it also be a pointing to that the LORD favour (His face) did shine on us, through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Thank you.
Good site.
I personally do believe that. But it is important to know that this Christocentric interpretation is not at all necessary here.
Thank you