Meaning and Significance of Jehovah Shalom on Altar
The name "Jehovah Shalom" appears in Judges 6:24, where it is given to an altar built by Gideon. The Hebrew term "Jehovah Shalom" is translated as "the Lord is peace" or "Jehovah send peace" [3, 4]. The word "Shalom" encompasses a broad range of meanings including completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, and friendship, particularly in the context of human relationships and covenant relationships with God [1, 2].
Gideon built the altar after an encounter with the angel of the Lord, who greeted him with "Peace be unto thee" (Judges 6:23). The name of the altar commemorates this greeting and signifies God's presence and peace [5]. The concept of peace in the biblical context is multifaceted, including the absence of conflict, wholeness, and prosperity [1].
In the Old Testament, peace is often associated with God's favor and blessings. It is a characteristic of the Messiah's reign, where it is promised that there will be no more war (Isaiah 9:6-7, 11:6-9). The Psalmist also links peace with God's blessing, stating that the Lord blesses his people with peace (Psalm 29:11) [10].
The idea of peace is closely tied to the concept of covenant. In Ezekiel 34:25, God promises a "covenant of peace" with his people, ensuring their safety and security. This covenant is seen as a fulfillment of the original promise in Leviticus 26:6, where God promises peace in the land [8].
The significance of Jehovah Shalom extends beyond Gideon's time, pointing to a broader theological theme of God's peace. In Isaiah 54:10, the "covenant of my peace" is mentioned, highlighting God's commitment to maintaining peace with his people. This peace is not just the absence of conflict but includes prosperity and righteousness (Isaiah 48:18, 32:17) [7, 9].
The altar named Jehovah Shalom serves as a memorial of God's intervention in human affairs and his gift of peace. It symbolizes the peace that comes from knowing God and being in a right relationship with Him. The concept is echoed in various biblical interpretations, where peace is seen as a result of God's favor and blessing [6, 11].
The significance of Jehovah Shalom is understood differently across traditions, but its core meaning remains centered on God's peace. In Christian interpretation, this peace is often seen as a foreshadowing of the peace brought by Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). The peace that God offers is not limited to the absence of war but encompasses spiritual peace and reconciliation with God [7].
The altar's name continues to be a reminder of God's presence and his gift of peace to those who trust in Him. As such, Jehovah Shalom remains a significant theological concept, highlighting the importance of peace in biblical theology and its relevance to Christian understanding of God's character and salvation.
The peace that Jehovah Shalom represents is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been explored in various biblical and theological contexts. Its significance extends beyond a historical event to a deeper understanding of God's nature and his relationship with humanity. The concept continues to be relevant in contemporary theological discussions, emphasizing the importance of peace as a divine gift.
In the biblical narrative, the establishment of altars like Jehovah Shalom and Jehovahnissi (Exodus 17:15) signifies pivotal moments in the relationship between God and his people, marking divine encounters and the commemoration of God's actions [12]. These altars serve as tangible reminders of God's interventions and his character, reinforcing the themes of peace, salvation, and covenant that are central to biblical theology.
Sources
- STEPBible TBESG “[H7965] H7965G = (H7965G) — : peace<br>1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace<br>1a) completeness (in number)<br>1b) safety, soundness (in body)<br>1c) welfare, health, prosperity<br>1d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment<br>1e) peace, friendship<br>1e1) of human relationships<br>1e2) with God especially in covenant relationship<br>1f) peace (from war)<br>1g) peace (as adjective)”
- STEPBible TBESG “[H7965] H7965J = a Meaning of (H7965G) — : friendship<br>1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace<br>1a) completeness (in number)<br>1b) safety, soundness (in body)<br>1c) welfare, health, prosperity<br>1d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment<br>1e) peace, friendship<br>1e1) of human relationships<br>1e2) with God especially in covenant relationship<br>1f) peace (from war)<br>1g) peace (as adjective)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Jehovah-shalom — Jehovah send peace, the name which Gideon gave to the altar he erected on the spot at Ophrah where the angel appeared to him (Judg. 6:24).”
- STEPBible TBESG “[H3073] H3073 = combination of (H3068G (H3068G+H7965H)) — Jehovah-shalom = "Jehovah is peace"<br> the name of a sacred altar built by Gideon in Ophrah”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Jehovahshalom — (Jehovah (is) peace), or, with an ellipsis, "Jehovah the God of peace." The altar erected by Gideon in Orphrah was so called in memory of the salutation addressed to him by the angel of Jehovah, "Peace be unto thee." (Judges 6:24)”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 26:12: peace--God's favor, including all blessings, temporal and spiritual, opposed to their previous trials (Psa 138:8).”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 48:18: peace-- (Psa 119:165). Compare the desire expressed by the same Messiah (Mat 23:37; Luk 19:42). river-- (Isa 33:21; Isa 41:18), a river flowing from God's throne is the symbol of free, abundant, and ever flowing blessings from Him (Eze 47:1; Zac 14:8; Rev 22:1). righteousness--religious prosperity; the parent of "peace" or national prosperity; therefore "peace" corresponds to "righteousness" in the parallelism (Isa 32:17).”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 34:25: covenant of peace . . . evil beasts . . . to cease . . . dwell safely--The original promise of the law (Lev 26:6) shall be realized for the first time fully under Messiah (Isa 11:6-9; Isa 35:9; Hos 2:18).”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 54:10: (Isa 51:6; Psa 89:33-34; Rom 11:29). covenant of my peace-- (Sa2 23:5). The covenant whereby I have made thee at peace with Me.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 29:11: 29:11 The ruler of nature blesses his people with peace (see 28:8-9; 37:11; 133:3).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 3:2: length . . . life--often promised as blessings (Psa 21:4; Psa 91:16). peace--includes prosperity (Psa 125:5). add--abound to thee.”
- Exodus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Exodus 17:15: And Moses built an altar,.... On Horeb, as Aben Ezra; on the top of the hill, as Ben Gersom, where sacrifices of thanksgiving were offered up for the victory obtained, or however a monument erected in memory of it: and he called the name of it Jehovahnissi; which signifies either "the Lord is my miracle" who wrought a miracle for them in giving them the victory over Amalek, as well as, through smiting the rock with the rod, brought out water from thence for the refreshment of the people, their children and cattle; or "the Lord is my banner": alluding to the hands o”