What do you think of when you hear the word Shalom?
If you are like most Western Hemisphere people, you might think of the word “Peace.” It is true that is one of the meanings of the word, but it falls short of explaining it fully.
The word Shalom is used in both Hebrew and Arabic contexts.
It is a word used as a greeting and as a farewell. It is part of a prayer for Muslim and Jewish people. The word according to Rabbi Elie Abadie means wholesome, complete, full.
I was driving in the car and that is where God and I often talk. He said to me that He was pulling me into a state of “Shalom” during my rest and recovery. I was not quite sure what He was meaning as I was sure Shalom simply meant Peace. Could it be more?
Shalom is a God word. God is Shalom. In Him there is Shalom Peace, Shalom Rest, Shalom Presence, Shalom Patience and all the fruits of the Spirit are found in Shalom.
When you are in Shalom – nothing can rock you, you are fused with God, who is the true meaning of Shalom.
So, it would seem Shalom is a state of being, an intertwining with God that we humans can receive and it begins and ends with Him. When you are in Shalom, you are “complete, full, satisfied.”
I started looking up studies on the word. According to Christian author Cornelius Plantinga Shalom is:
“the webbing together of god, human and all creation in justice, fulfillment and delight in what the Hebrew prophets call shalom…. In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight, a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Saviour opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom He delights.
Shalom in other words is the way things ought to be.”
Book: Not the Way Its Supposed to Be, a Breviary of Sin
The root of the word Shalom is “shalam” in Hebrew. In the Torah it is found in Exodus 21 and 22 and is used 14 times. Moses was giving instructions to the people. The literal translation in these chapters of the word is: “make it good”, “make full restitution” or to “restore” and “to make something whole” according to FIRM (Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries).
In Arabic the root word of Shalom is “Salam” and refers to a hope of world peace and the end of war.
Jesus used the word in Luke 24:36 “While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’’ (shalom)
This greeting is heard all over Israel today, I heard it many times while I was there.
When we use this greeting to others, we are more than wishing them peace or a good day, it is a hope that the other person will find total completeness in God and live in such a way that their world is complete. What an exquisite blessing to say over others.
So my readers, “Shalom to you today and this week.”
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