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Peace (Shalom) I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14: 27 (NIV)
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INTRODUCTION
Shalom. A common greeting in Israel that means far more than the English translation of peace. Shalom encompasses a broader meaning of wholeness, well-being, and harmony. And not necessarily an outward one, but an inward one.
PEACE BE TO YOU - SHALOM
As the Jews themselves can confirm, Shalom is a common greeting and goodbye expression used on the streets of Israel and Jerusalem.
It is far from being a new thing. It may have been a common theme even back in ancient times. The greeting means ‘May you be full of well-being’ or, ‘May health and prosperity be upon you.’ (2)
THE MEANING OF THE WORD SHALOM
Shalom in its most basic translation means peace. But the expression holds a far deeper meaning. It means ‘well-being’, ‘in good health’, and in the true biblical connotation an inward sense of completeness or wholeness.
In the Old Testament, it most commonly meant a person being uninjured and safe, whole and sound. In the New Testament Shalom is revealed as the reconciliation of all things to God through the work of Christ. That is its primary meaning nowadays. (3)
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Shalom also means peace with others, and peace between parties in other words no wars. And even more socially just relationships between individuals and classes. (3)
In many cases, it describes an inner completeness and tranquility more so than an outward one of no wars though. Peace within oneself. (2, 3)
THE ORIGIN OF THE WORD SHALOM
It is rooted in the word Shalam. The word Shalam means “make it good”, “shall surely pay”, “make full restitution” or to “restore”. Simply put it depicts an overall restoration of fulness and completeness in mind, body, and estate. (2)
It was introduced as part of the law, more specifically as a restitution penalty after someone caused material loss or committed theft of another's property. (2)
YESHUA, MY PEACE
Timothy Keller wrote in the NIV Biblical Theology Bible that Shalom was first prophesied, and then accomplished through the arrival of Yeshua - the Prince of Shalom. (3)
He also mentions that Jesus by taking upon Himself the curse of sin turns away the wrath of God and brings his family through faith into a covenant and blessing of peace. (3)
Yeshua our LORD Himself is our SHALOM. Only in Him can we find complete restoration fullness, and completeness. (3)
For too long I thought man would be able to complete me but failed to realize they would not. Only Yeshua completes us. Only He can heal and restore us. Only in Him will we find true peace, true SHALOM.
Apart from Him, we will always search to fill the void only He can fill. We will feel empty and without purpose and meaning.
CONCLUSION
The Hebrew word Shalom is commonly used as a greeting and goodbye in Israel and Jerusalem. It primarily is translated as peace, but can also mean ‘well-being’ and ‘in good health’.
As simple as its basic translation into English may seem, it holds a much deeper meaning. Shalom primarily means reconciliation with God through the finished work of Yeshua. It also means peace between individuals and parties. But even more than that it means peace within.
It is rooted in the Hebrew word Shalam and can not be accomplished without Yeshua, the Prince of Shalom.
Application
Lean on God this coming week. Lean on Him and His strength and peace even if faced with anything less than pleasant.
SOURCES
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Doug Hershey. The True Meaning of Shalom. Available on https://firmisrael.org/learn/the-meaning-of-shalom/
Timothy Keller. Shalom drawn from the NIV Biblical Theology Bible. Available on https://www.thenivbible.com/blog/meaning-shalom-bible/
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