Numbers 6:26
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Hebrew word · Strong H7965
What does Shalom mean?
Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace — not only the absence of war, but wholeness, well-being, health and relationships set right with God and with others. The King James usually translates it “peace”, and sometimes “well”, “welfare” or “peaceably”.
שָׁלוֹם
shâlôwm · transliteration · shaw-lome' · pronunciation
- In Strong’s lexicon
- safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace
- In the King James
- peace157
- well9
- peaceably8
- welfare5
- Appears in
- 208 verses
The meaning of Shalom in the Bible
Its root (shalam, H7999) speaks of something complete, paid in full, restored. That is why the word covers the whole of life: a person's health (Genesis 29:6), a city's safety, friendship between neighbors and, above all, the peace only God gives. The priestly blessing ends with it: “The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (Numbers 6:26).
The prophets promise a Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and the New Testament sees that promise fulfilled in Jesus, who leaves his peace with his disciples (John 14:27). Shalom is still the everyday greeting in Israel: to say it is to wish someone not just calm, but a whole life under God's care.
Where Shalom appears
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Psalms 4:8
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you say peace in Hebrew?
- Shalom, pronounced sha-LOHM. It is the same word still used as a greeting in Israel today.
- Is shalom just a greeting?
- No. In the Bible, shalom is the state of a life made whole and set right — with God, with oneself and with one's neighbor. The greeting wishes exactly that to the person who receives it.
More Bible words
- Yahweh (YHWH)
- Hallelujah
- Selah
- Elohim
- Agape
- Adonai
- Hosanna
- Amen
- Abba
- Immanuel
- Tetelestai
- Kairos
- El Shaddai
- Maranatha
- Ebenezer
- Jehovah Jireh
- Jehovah Rapha
- El Roi
- Metanoia
- Jehovah Nissi
- Hesed
- Rhema
- Koinonia
- Logos
- Sheol
- Nephilim
- Number 7
- Number 3
- Number 12
- Number 40
- 666
- 444
- 333
- 222
- 111
- Iniquity
- Gentleness
- Longsuffering
- Grace
- Lasciviousness
- Concupiscence
- Strife
- Covetousness
- Reproach
- Redemption
- Godliness
- Burnt offering
- Sodomite
- Heretic
- Exhort
- Equity
- Would to God
- Stiff-necked