Years ago Steve and I reveled in an eight-day tour of Israel where we visited many biblical sites: the ruins of ancient Jericho, Hezekiah’s tunnel, the church honoring Jesus’ birthplace, a hillside where he likely preached the Sermon on the Mount, the pool of Bethesda where he healed a cripple, and many more.
The excavation at the Pool of Bethesda
Along the way, guides, hosts, staff, and others greeted us with, “Shalom aleichem” (“Peace be unto you”)!
For thousands of years, this phrase has been a beloved greeting and farewell among the Jewish people. It first appears in the Bible, when Joseph’s steward used the phrase to reassure the brothers that all would be well (Genesis 43:23 NKJV).
In the New Testament Jesus greeted the disciples with “Shalom aleichem” when he first appeared to them after his resurrection (John 20:26).
Perhaps you’ve heard that shalom conveys more than the absence of conflict. It includes an overall sense of contentment and well-being.
The word appears over 200 times in scripture. In the New International Version, the word shalom is translated 70 different ways. Talk about a multi-faceted word!
The nuances of meaning create delight at every turn. In fact, one writer asserts that shalom is the sum of all God’s blessings [1].
Its meaning includes:
- a state of calm without anxiety or stress, yet characterized by vigor and vitality
- fullness and quality of life, prosperity of soul, and right relationship with God
- completeness, harmony, and tranquility
When shalom resides in our hearts we experience joyful wonder, oneness with our Creator, and rest for our souls. Shalom includes wholeness, God’s goodness, and total satisfaction.
This is the abundant life Jesus talked about [2]–the way life ought to be.
But where do I find this shalom? someone may ask.
It’s not found; it finds us when we come to Jesus[3], the one who said:
Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.
Do not let your heart be troubled nor let it be afraid.
[Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]
John 14:27 AMP
Read the verse again and replace peace with shalom [4], keeping in mind all its shades of meaning. Did your heart fill with even more gratitude for this precious gift?
God even makes it possible for us to multiply shalom so that it permeates every nook of our minds, hearts, and souls:
Grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being]
be multiplied to you in the [true, intimate] knowledge of God
and of Jesus our Lord.
1 Peter 1:2 AMP
And what knowledge of God and great thoughts of Christ might foster overflowing shalom?
- Jesus is our light of confidence and strength, even in the darkness of distress [5]
- Living by God’s wise ways makes it possible to participate in Christ’s fullness of joy [6]
- Jesus gives rest to those who come to him with their cares [7]
- Through the power of prayer, God provides peace of mind [8]
- Out of God’s glorious riches he supplies prosperity of soul—far more valuable than anything this world offers [9]
- He satisfies the hungry, longing soul with good things [10]
Of course, this is just the short list. But as we multiply the affirmations of such absolutes, we’ll develop a strong core of shalom at the center of our beings.
* * * * * * * * * *
Prince of Peace, how foolish I am to ignore the sum of all your blessings, SHALOM. You alone enable me to live securely in perfect and constant tranquility as I focus on you and live by your wisdom. You alone provide SHALOM at all times, in every way. Help me to enter into your rest.
(Isaiah 9:6, Psalm 4:8 GWT, Isaiah 26:3 AMP,
Proverbs 3:17, 2 Thessalonians 3:16)
[1] https://www.preceptaustin.org/shalom
[2] John 10:10
[3] https://vision.org.au/the-word-for-today/associated-blog/the-word-for-today-devotional-content/shalom/
[4] The word in the Greek New Testament is eirene, the equivalent of shalom.
[5] John 12:46; Philippians 4:13
[6] John 15:10-11
[7] Matthew 11:28
[8] Philippians 4:6-7
[9] Ephesians 3:16
[10] Psalm 107:9 ESV
Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com; http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.flickr.com (3).
From the Inside Out 
A big AMEN in JESUS Nancy!!
Love Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
Thank you, Kristi Ann. I can’t even remember now what prompted me to research “shalom” but I’m so glad I did. My understanding has been delightfully expanded! Love and shalom to you also!
I love those verses in John 14. Isn’t it amazing that God gives us His perfect peace, not as the world gives. The world’s peace is so fake and transient. Your words combined with God’s words are excellent to read as I go to bed. May you rest in God’s peace as well, Nancy.
It truly IS amazing, Patty, that Jesus can give us peace–peace that surpasses understanding– in spite of the difficult circumstances we may be facing. Such a glorious reality! So glad you found the post restful, Patty!
AMEN
Thank you, Janet, and praise God for his inspiration!
I love your explanation of “shalom”, Nancy. Yes, I want that peace that passes all understanding in my daily life. Lord, hear my prayer!
Blessings!
Praying with you, Martha!
The relative importance of the New Testament is such I need to constantly remind myself the Bible is primarily a book about the Jewish faith. After all, Jesus himself was anointed “King of the Jews”. Christianity is rather a product of the Bible. So it makes sense “Shalom” should appear so frequently, and what a powerful word it is. “Peace be with you” will always have its place, but “Shalom”, as you say, speaks to a deeper understanding of love and comfort.
The Old Testament IS primarily the story of the Jews, but I also appreciate the numerous foreshadowings and prophecies about Jesus that it contains. They add another delightful layer of learning and of making connections between Old and New as we study the Bible. / Yes, indeed, Dave, the contemplation of “shalom” does bring comfort!
I agree about the Books of the Prophets, Nancy. It was only through later-in-life study I came to understand the several corollaries between the Old and the New Testaments. As if the Bible isn’t a powerful enough story already!
Amen to THAT, Dave!
you brought back many memories from our trip to the Holy Land too, Peace to you!
I thought of you as I made that list, knowing it wasn’t all that long ago you and your husband were able to go. The snapshots in my memory are still quite sharp for many of the sites and experiences we enjoyed while in Israel. Shalom to you, my friend!
Such a wonderful post! Thank you for pulling all of this together for us…so very inspiring!
Thank you, Linda. It was a delight to research “shalom” and learn more of its nuances. So glad you found inspiration here–praise God!
I love the word shalom. I wish we used it more often in our everyday conversations! I’ve enjoyed watching The Chosen series and hearing how often the writers have Jesus and the Jewish people saying Shalom as greetings to each other.
Perhaps we could start a new trend, Lisa, by greeting others with “shalom,” when the circumstances seem right!
Thank you for the insight into the word “shalom”. We had a fabulous trip to the Holy Land in 2011!
A pilgrimage to Israel IS fabulous indeed. Before we went, I remember reading somewhere that you never read the Bible the same way again, once you’ve visited the Holy Land. I’m sure you agree, Pam, they were right!
I enjoyed reading this and didn’t realize how much “shalom” appears in scripture! Love your list of “overflowing shalom!!” Thanks for sharing, Nancy!!
You’re welcome, Alicia. So glad you found some worthwhile nuggets in this post!
❤️
Beautiful the way you expounded upon the word ‘shalom’. In the busyness of the day I take it for granted to embrace the gift of peace that the Lord wants us to really experience in a deep way. He desires that we live, not in fear, but in joyful peace. How great is our God! Note: This is something that the Holy Spirit has been speaking to me about.
Good point, Cheri: God is more desirous that we embrace his shalom than we are! As for our part, the “want to” precedes and propels us toward the “will to.” Praise God, he works within us to empower the transformation (Philippians 1:6)!
Great post, Nancy, on an amazing word! I’ve read about it in the past. So rich, but then God’s peace is more rich and full than we can really imagine. Shalom alecheim to you on this fine day, my friend!
Thank you, Sheila. I couldn’t agree more that shalom is indeed an amazing word–such a superior greeting and farewell than “Hello, how-are-you, and good-bye.” I want to say “shalom” instead, but it may take awhile to develop the habit!