Shalom

I always enjoy studying words and their meaning and where they are derived. As many of you realize, English is a very confusing language even for many of us that English is their native language.

So, when studying scripture I always enjoy studying the words in the original language, Hebrew and Greek for the most part.

Every language employs its own unique greeting. And although they may vary from culture to culture, these expressions remain an integral part of interpersonal communication. This may be why common greetings are the first phrases people attempt to learn when studying a foreign language or visiting a country for the first time. Indeed, greetings and salutations arrange settings for conversations and relationships; a simple acknowledgment boasts the potential to disrupt or enliven the tone and mood.  

 However, have you ever considered that a greeting can bestow blessing and even healing? This is the case when the Hebrew word shalom שָׁלוֹם is used as a greeting. 

 In the Hebrew Bible, the word shalom seems to be enigmatic—it expresses a wide range of meanings but, uniquely, all of its meanings are positive, such as “peace, prosperity, success, intactness, welfare, health, and salvation.” It conveys both good in the present and great expectations in the glorious future.  

 The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Covenant, commonly uses the Greek word εἰρήνη (eirēnē lit. “peace, harmony, rest”) for shalom. Likewise, early Rabbinic Writings emphasized the term as a noble greeting and highly elevated its spiritual insight. The phrase shalom aleikhem (“peace unto you”) became a settled phrase that Rabbis used to greet someone they hadn’t seen in a while.

Moreover, in Jewish thought, the word could even encompass the name of G-d (based upon an interpretation of Judges 6:24 24 So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. NIV). Therefore, to greet somebody with shalom was considered imparting G-d’s name over the one greeted. 

 This Old Covenant custom is also found in the New Covenant, as Jesus assigned even more significance to the shalom greeting. In His words, to greet somebody with shalom meant to deliver a blessing to the household. The worthy one would receive it and reply in the same manner (5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Luke 10:5–6 NIV). It is not insignificant that Jesus greeted His disciples with shalom aleikhem after His resurrection (36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. Luke 24:36–37 and 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” John 20:26 NIV). Paul greeted his readers with shalom in each of his letters in the salutation and the conclusion, similar to John and Jude. Evidently, this was one of the most prominent greetings for the early followers of Jesus. 

 For some present cultures, greetings may merely communicate words of courtesy and politeness. However, meaningful words like shalom express a voiced wish of goodwill and benediction over the person greeted. Believers are called to be a blessing to people. Let’s consider how we can impart blessings even with our greetings. So, I am finishing by saying,

“Shalom" to y'all!