Shalom — Meaning in the Bible
Hebrew for peace, wholeness and well-being. It describes things being as they should be: health, safety, right relationships and harmony.
Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition
What it means
Shalom is used in greetings ("peace to you"), in asking about someone's welfare, and in the priestly blessing "the LORD... give you peace". Genesis 43:23Genesis 37:14Numbers 6:26
Jeremiah told the exiles to seek the shalom of the city where they lived. Isaiah promises a Prince of Shalom. Jeremiah 29:7Isaiah 9:6
Key passages
- Numbers 6:24–26 — The priestly blessing.
- Psalm 122:6–8 — Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
- Isaiah 9:6 — Prince of Peace.
- Jeremiah 29:7 — Seek the peace of the city.
Original language
A Strong’s number is a reference identifier, not a complete definition: what a word means in a passage depends on its context. Lexical data: STEPBible.org, based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).
How translations differ
- Genesis 37:14 translates shalom as "whether it is well"; elsewhere it is "peace". One Hebrew word, several English words. Genesis 37:14