What Is Shalom in the Bible?

Shalom is one of the richest words in the Hebrew language, far deeper than the English word 'peace.' While peace often means merely the absence of conflict, shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, prosperity, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, harmony, and right relationship with God and others. The root meaning of shalom is 'to be complete' or 'to be sound.' In the Old Testament, shalom is used as a greeting and a blessing. When Boaz greeted his reapers, he said, 'The LORD be with you,' and they answered, 'The LORD bless thee.' When Jesus met His disciples after the resurrection, He said, 'Peace be unto you' — shalom. Shalom is a gift from God. Leviticus 26:6 promises, 'And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid.' Isaiah 26:3 declares, 'Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.' The peace that God gives is not dependent on circumstances but on relationship with Him. Shalom is also the result of righteousness. Isaiah 32:17 states, 'And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.' Where sin disrupts shalom, righteousness restores it. The prophets looked forward to a day when the Messiah would bring ultimate shalom. Isaiah 9:6 calls Him the 'Prince of Peace.' Micah 4:3-4 prophesies that He will judge between nations and 'they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks... and none shall make them afraid.' Jesus fulfills this promise. He is 'our peace' (Ephesians 2:14), having broken down the wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile, and between God and humanity. The gospel is the announcement of shalom — that through Christ's death and resurrection, God has reconciled the world to Himself. Believers receive 'the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,' guarding their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). The church is called to be an agent of shalom, pursuing peace with all people, making peace where there is conflict, and proclaiming the Prince of Peace to a broken world.