Jehovah Shalom: God's Peace in Obedience and Faith
The name Jehovah Shalom, meaning "the Lord send peace" [6], appears in Judges 6:24, where Gideon names an altar after his encounter with the Angel of the Lord. This name encapsulates the rich biblical concept of shalom, a Hebrew word that signifies far more than merely the absence of conflict. Shalom encompasses completeness, soundness, welfare, health, prosperity, quiet, tranquility, contentment, and friendship, both in human relationships and especially in covenant relationship with God [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The concept of shalom is deeply embedded in the Old Testament. It is often promised as a blessing, including length of life and prosperity [12]. For instance, Psalm 120:6-7 and Psalm 122:6-9 speak of peace in the context of communal well-being and the peace of Jerusalem [7]. The Lord is depicted as blessing His people with peace [11]. Isaiah 48:18 connects peace with righteousness, describing it as flowing like a river, symbolizing abundant blessings from God [8]. This connection between righteousness and peace is further emphasized in Isaiah 32:17, where being right with God and humanity leads to shalom, which includes personal wholeness and is not dependent on external circumstances [14].
The covenant of peace is a recurring theme, promising an end to threats and a state of safety. Ezekiel 34:25 speaks of a "covenant of peace" where evil beasts cease, allowing people to dwell safely, a promise that will be fully realized under the Messiah [9]. Similarly, Isaiah 54:10 refers to a "covenant of my peace," signifying God's established peace with His people [10].
The breadth of shalom is also evident in its association with offerings and divine favor. The peace offering (shelem) in Leviticus 3:1-17 is derived from the same root as shalom. This offering was a form of worship that expressed fellowship with God and others, implying a harmonious bond rather than just a cessation of hostilities. It was often a shared meal celebrating this fellowship [16]. Furthermore, the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:26 invokes divine peace, which is understood as complete well-being, health, and wholeness, stemming from God's favor and special attention [15].
In the New Testament, the concept of shalom continues to be significant. Luke 10:5, for example, refers to "God's peace" as spiritual blessings and wholeness [13]. The understanding of peace as more than just the absence of conflict, but as a comprehensive state of well-being, aligns with the Old Testament usage. Romans 5:1, which speaks of peace with God through faith, echoes the idea of shalom as a state of right relationship with God [14].
The theological understanding of Jehovah Shalom, therefore, points to God as the source of comprehensive well-being, not merely the absence of strife. This peace is deeply intertwined with righteousness, covenant relationship, and divine favor, extending to all aspects of life—physical, spiritual, and communal.
Sources
- STEPBible TBESG “[H7965] H7965G = (H7965G) — : peace<br>1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace<br>1a) completeness (in number)<br>1b) safety, soundness (in body)<br>1c) welfare, health, prosperity<br>1d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment<br>1e) peace, friendship<br>1e1) of human relationships<br>1e2) with God especially in covenant relationship<br>1f) peace (from war)<br>1g) peace (as adjective)”
- STEPBible TBESG “[H7965] H7965L = a Meaning of (H7965G) — : completely<br>1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace<br>1a) completeness (in number)<br>1b) safety, soundness (in body)<br>1c) welfare, health, prosperity<br>1d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment<br>1e) peace, friendship<br>1e1) of human relationships<br>1e2) with God especially in covenant relationship<br>1f) peace (from war)<br>1g) peace (as adjective)”
- STEPBible TBESG “[H7965] H7965K = a Meaning of (H7965G) — : greeting<br>1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace<br>1a) completeness (in number)<br>1b) safety, soundness (in body)<br>1c) welfare, health, prosperity<br>1d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment<br>1e) peace, friendship<br>1e1) of human relationships<br>1e2) with God especially in covenant relationship<br>1f) peace (from war)<br>1g) peace (as adjective)”
- STEPBible TBESG “[H7965] H7965J = a Meaning of (H7965G) — : friendship<br>1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace<br>1a) completeness (in number)<br>1b) safety, soundness (in body)<br>1c) welfare, health, prosperity<br>1d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment<br>1e) peace, friendship<br>1e1) of human relationships<br>1e2) with God especially in covenant relationship<br>1f) peace (from war)<br>1g) peace (as adjective)”
- STEPBible TBESG “[H7965] H7965I = a Meaning of (H7965G) — : well-being<br>1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace<br>1a) completeness (in number)<br>1b) safety, soundness (in body)<br>1c) welfare, health, prosperity<br>1d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment<br>1e) peace, friendship<br>1e1) of human relationships<br>1e2) with God especially in covenant relationship<br>1f) peace (from war)<br>1g) peace (as adjective)”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Jehovah-shalom — the Lord send peace”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 120:6: 120:6-7 peace: See 37:11; 122:6-9; 125:5; 128:6.”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 48:18: peace-- (Psa 119:165). Compare the desire expressed by the same Messiah (Mat 23:37; Luk 19:42). river-- (Isa 33:21; Isa 41:18), a river flowing from God's throne is the symbol of free, abundant, and ever flowing blessings from Him (Eze 47:1; Zac 14:8; Rev 22:1). righteousness--religious prosperity; the parent of "peace" or national prosperity; therefore "peace" corresponds to "righteousness" in the parallelism (Isa 32:17).”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 34:25: covenant of peace . . . evil beasts . . . to cease . . . dwell safely--The original promise of the law (Lev 26:6) shall be realized for the first time fully under Messiah (Isa 11:6-9; Isa 35:9; Hos 2:18).”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 54:10: (Isa 51:6; Psa 89:33-34; Rom 11:29). covenant of my peace-- (Sa2 23:5). The covenant whereby I have made thee at peace with Me.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 29:11: 29:11 The ruler of nature blesses his people with peace (see 28:8-9; 37:11; 133:3).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 3:2: length . . . life--often promised as blessings (Psa 21:4; Psa 91:16). peace--includes prosperity (Psa 125:5). add--abound to thee.”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 10:5: 10:5 God’s peace means spiritual blessings and wholeness, the shalom of God (see study note on 8:48).”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 32:17: 32:17 Being right with God and humans will bring peace (Hebrew shalom; see 26:3; 48:18; 52:7; cp. Jas 3:18). Peace is more than the absence of conflict. It includes personal wholeness and does not depend on outside circumstances (see also Rom 5:1).”
- Numbers (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Numbers 6:26: 6:26 God’s favor—the display of his face, or countenance—refers to his approval and special attention (cp. Ps 30:7). Divine peace (Hebrew shalom) is not just the absence of conflict or violence; God’s peace brings complete well-being, health, and wholeness.”
- Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 3:1: 3:1-17 The peace offering (Hebrew shelem) expressed worship through fellowship with the Lord and with others. The Hebrew word is from the same root as shalom, which speaks of wholeness, well-being, harmony, and peace. Shalom means more than a cessation of hostilities between God and the worshiper; it implies a bond of harmonious fellowship. The peace offering was therefore a shared meal celebrating fellowship with God and others (cp. Exod 18:12; 24:9-11; 1 Sam 9:15-24). It could be presented as an expression of thanks (Lev 7:12-15), as a voluntary offering, or i”