Word Study: Shalom- completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
Devotion: I want you to pause for a moment and think. When you hear the word peace, what comes to mind? Peace is a very common word in the English language. A quick Google search shows that the definitions for peace can vary from “freedom from disturbance; tranquility” to “a state or period is which there is no war, or a war has ended.” Or it can even be defined as “a friendly greeting” or “an order to remain silent.”
Peace is also an important word in the Bible. When used in Scripture, the word peace does not only refer to the absence of conflict. It also implies the presence of something else. The word for peace in the Old Testament is shalom. And just like the English word peace can be tricky to define, shalom can be tough to describe, though in a much different way.
The word shalom can refer to a stone that has a perfect, whole shape with no cracks (Joshua 8:31). It can also refer to something that is complex with a lot of pieces that is in a state of completeness. An example of this is when Job says that his tents are in a state of shalom because he counted his flock and none were missing (Job 5:24). In this way, shalom can refer to a person’s well-being. Like when David visited his brothers on the battlefield and inquired about their shalom.
At the root of it, life it complex. It is filled with emotions, relationships, jobs, and events. When any of these things is out of order, missing, or acting up, your shalom breaks down. It needs to be restored. And that is the primary definition of shalom when used as a verb, “to make complete or to restore.”
The kings of Israel in the Old Testament were supposed to foster a kingdom of shalom, but they often failed to do so. That is why we see that the prophet Isaiah looked forward to a future King, a King of Shalom (Isaiah 9:6). And ultimately, Jesus’ birth is announced as the arrival of that very peace.
He alone is able to bring this type of completeness and wholeness. We are broken people, incapable of restoring our own shalom. We may find temporary worldly peace, but the type of peace that makes us complete and restores us is found in the King of Shalom, the Prince of Peace, alone.
Reflect:
- How does the definition of shalom differ from your original thoughts about the definition of peace?
