Shalom – Part 1 by Ps Michael Podhaczky

We may have heard messages or read books on the matter of peace, but what is it from a biblical perspective? Well briefly, the word that is used in Hebrew is ‘Shalom.’ It carries so much more than merely the idea of peace. The simple notion of Shalom has to do with well-being or wholeness.

There is so much more to Shalom as the abundance of books would indicate. However, in the space we have, it may be said that,

“It comes from a root meaning ‘completeness’ and ‘perfection’. So when there is peace in Jewish terms, that means things are perfect: there is calm, security, prosperity and a general feeling of physical (health) and spiritual well-being. It doesn’t just mean there is no war.”[1]

It has also been proposed that it carries the idea of,

“Intactedness of life in its relationship to God…the correct order of life in relation to creation…and a renewal of creation to its divinely intended wholeness.”[2]

While from a more relational perspective it is also,

“A process of living in wholesome relationship with others, ideally where partners and participants trust each other, act with integrity and are dedicated to the common good rather than threatening each other.”[3]

So, as we can see there is more to Shalom than just peace, well-being or wholeness. It needs to be remembered that, we are dealing with God and an aspect of who He is, His peace. So, it could be proposed that it as to do with three areas (not necessarily in any order), the physical aspects of life, life’s relationships and justice in those relationships, and finally the morality or ethical nature of relationships or the righteousness of life.[4] These three areas have application in relationships between God and humanity, and how we relate to others.

Pause in His presence for a moment and think this over…

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[1] “The Ideal of Peace in Judaism.” https://www.ijs.org.au/the-ideal-of-peace-in-judaism/ (20^th May 2019.

[2] “Peace.” Swartley, Willard M. In The Westminster Theological Wordbook of the Bible. Donald E. Gowan. (ed.) (), 354-356.

[3] “Peace,” Klassen, William. In A Dictionary of Jewish-Christian Relations. Kessler, Edward & Wenborn, Neil. (ed.) (Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2005), 338.

[4] Yoder, Perry B. Shalom: The Bible’s Word for Salvation, Justice  & Peace. (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 1997), 10-16.