Understanding God's Presence in the Concept of Shalom
The concept of shalom in the Hebrew Bible encompasses a rich understanding of peace that extends beyond the mere absence of conflict. It signifies completeness, soundness, welfare, health, prosperity, quiet, tranquility, contentment, and friendship [1]. This comprehensive well-being includes harmonious relationships among people and, crucially, with God, often within a covenantal framework [1, 7]. The term shalom is also used in greetings, reflecting a wish for this holistic state [2].
God's presence is intrinsically linked to shalom. Divine peace is not merely a cessation of hostilities but brings complete well-being, health, and wholeness [9]. For instance, the peace offering (shelem), which shares the same root as shalom, expressed worship through fellowship with God and others, implying a bond of harmonious fellowship [10]. This fellowship was often celebrated through a shared meal [10].
The Lord is depicted as the source and bestower of shalom. In Numbers 6:26, God's favor, symbolized by the display of His countenance, is directly connected to divine peace [9]. The Psalms frequently associate God's blessing with peace for His people [3, 8]. Isaiah further elaborates on this connection, portraying God's favor as encompassing all blessings, both temporal and spiritual, and contrasting it with trials [4]. The prophet speaks of a "covenant of my peace," signifying a state where God has made His people at peace with Him [7]. This peace is likened to a river, symbolizing free, abundant, and ever-flowing blessings from God [5]. Righteousness is presented as a precursor to peace, with religious prosperity leading to national prosperity [5].
The prophetic vision of shalom includes a future where God's covenant of peace will lead to the cessation of evil and the ability to dwell safely, a promise that finds its ultimate realization under the Messiah [6]. The New Testament also connects God's peace with spiritual blessings and wholeness, referring to it as the shalom of God [11]. Thus, God's presence is understood as the very foundation and fulfillment of shalom, bringing about a state of comprehensive flourishing and harmonious relationship.
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] H7965K = a Meaning of (H7965G) — : greeting<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)”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 120:6: 120:6-7 peace: See 37:11; 122:6-9; 125:5; 128:6.”
- 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).”
- Numbers (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Numbers 6:26: 6:26 God’s favor—the display of his face, or countenance—refers to his approval and special attention (cp. Ps 30:7). Divine peace (Hebrew shalom) is not just the absence of conflict or violence; God’s peace brings complete well-being, health, and wholeness.”
- Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 3:1: 3:1-17 The peace offering (Hebrew shelem) expressed worship through fellowship with the Lord and with others. The Hebrew word is from the same root as shalom, which speaks of wholeness, well-being, harmony, and peace. Shalom means more than a cessation of hostilities between God and the worshiper; it implies a bond of harmonious fellowship. The peace offering was therefore a shared meal celebrating fellowship with God and others (cp. Exod 18:12; 24:9-11; 1 Sam 9:15-24). It could be presented as an expression of thanks (Lev 7:12-15), as a voluntary offering, or i”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 10:5: 10:5 God’s peace means spiritual blessings and wholeness, the shalom of God (see study note on 8:48).”