Pronunciation Of Biblical Name Salome
The biblical name Salome is associated with two distinct individuals in the New Testament. The first Salome is the daughter of Herodias, mentioned in Matthew 14:6, who danced for Herod Antipas and was instrumental in the beheading of John the Baptist. The name Salome is derived from the Hebrew word "shalom," meaning "peace" [4].
The pronunciation of Salome varies across different traditions. The original Hebrew or Aramaic pronunciation is not directly available, but based on the Greek transcription (Σαλώμη, Salōmē), it is generally pronounced as "sah-LOH-may" or "sah-LOH-mee" in English [1, 2].
The second Salome mentioned in the New Testament is the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee. She is referred to in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40, where she is identified as one of the women present at Jesus' crucifixion. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, notes that she is not explicitly named in Matthew 27:56 but can be inferred to be Salome based on the parallel account in Mark 15:40 [7, 9].
The name Salome is related to the Hebrew name Solomon (Shlomo), which also means "peace" or "peaceable" [3, 5]. The Tyndale House commentary on 1 Kings 5:4 suggests that Solomon's name may be a variation of the word for "peace" (Hebrew shalom) [6].
In patristic tradition, the name Salome is not a central focus of discussion. However, Augustine does reference Solomon in his Exposition on Psalms, highlighting the significance of Solomon's name in relation to peace [8].
The varied references to Salome in the New Testament and the related discussions in patristic and Reformed traditions demonstrate the complexity of interpreting biblical names and their significance in understanding the text.
The historical and linguistic context of the name Salome underscores its connection to the theme of peace, a motif that is central to biblical narratives and theological reflections.
Sources
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=G2266H — Woman living at the time of New Testament - daughter of Herodias (refs: #A woman living at the time of New Testament, only mentioned at Mat.14.6; <br>only referred to as <s)”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=G4539 — Woman living at the time of the New Testament (refs: #A woman living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Mrk.15.40; <br>only referred to)”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Solomon — peaceable; perfect; one who recompenses”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Salome — (peaceful). + The wife of Zebedee, (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40) and probably sister of Mary the mother of Jesus, to whom reference is made in (John 19:25) The only events recorded of Salome are that she preferred a request on behalf of her two sons for seats of honor in the kingdom of heaven, (Matthew 20:20) that she attended at the crucifixion of Jesus, (Mark 15:40) and that she visited his sepulchre. (Mark 16:1) She is mentioned by name on only the two latter occasions. + The daughter of Herodias by her first husband, Herod Philip. (Matthew 14:6) She married”
- 2 Samuel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Samuel 12:24: 12:24 Even after Uriah’s death, Bathsheba was still called Uriah’s wife (12:9; see also Matt 1:6). Only here is she called David’s wife. • Solomon: Pronounced Shelomoh in Hebrew, it probably means “his peace,” from the Hebrew shalom. It might mean “his replacement”; cp. Shelemiah (Jer 36:14, “Yahweh has provided compensation”) and Shelumiel (Num 1:6, “God [is] my compensation”); both contain the root shelem (“replacement, compensation”).”
- 1 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Kings 5:4: 5:4-5 Unlike David, Solomon enjoyed peace [literally rest] on every side. Solomon’s name (Hebrew shlomoh) may be a variation of the word for “peace” (Hebrew shalom). • The name of the Lord signifies God’s self-revealed character and reputation. The Hebrew term translated the name was sometimes used in oral reading of Scripture so the reader could avoid uttering the personal name of God (the tetragrammaton—YHWH). The New Testament applies the term “the name” to Jesus (Acts 5:41; 3 Jn 1:7).”
- Mark (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Mark 15:36: There were also women looking on afar off,.... At some distance from the cross, observing what was said and done; among whom was Mary Magdalene; who had received great favours from Christ: and Mary the mother of James the less; or "little", so called to distinguish him from James the son of Zebedee, and because he might be little of stature: nor was it unusual with the Jews to distinguish persons after this manner: so we read (z) of R. Jesa, "the little", and of Samuel, "the little" (a), which some have thought to be the Apostle Paul, so called from the littleness ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM CXXVII.(5) (part 1): 1. Among all the Songs entitled the Song of degrees, this Psalm hath a further addition in the title, that it is "Solomon's." For thus it is entitled, "A Song of degrees of Solomon. It hath therefore aroused our attention, and caused us to enquire the reason of this addition, "of Solomon." For it is needless to repeat explanations of the other words, Song of degrees. ... Solomon was in his time David's son, a great man, through whom many holy precepts and healthful admonitions and divine mysteries have been wrought by t”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 20:19: Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children,.... Whose name was Salome, as may be concluded from Mat 27:56 compared with Mar 15:40. She is not called the wife of Zebedee, who might be now dead, but the mother of his children, his two sons, as the Arabic version renders it: James and John, and who were the disciples of Christ: it is not certain, that Zebedee was ever a follower of him; and therefore the woman is described by her relation to her children, and not her husband; and the rather, because it was in their name, and on their account, that she came to Je”