9. Shalom (Top Ten Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know)

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STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What is the most common English translation of the Hebrew word *shalom*?

“Peace.”

2. What does *shalom* mean in a verse like this? (You are encouraged to look up this verse in context.) “You also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, avenging in time of *shalom* for blood that had been shed in war, and putting the blood of war on the belt around his waist and on the sandals on his feet.” (1 Kings 2:5)

*Shalom* here has to mean “absence of hostility”; in this context it is clearly the opposite of a state of war.

3. What does *shalom* mean in a verse like this? (You are encouraged to look up this verse in context.) “And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the *shalom* I provide for it.” (Jeremiah 33:9)

This has to mean prosperity, not merely the absence of war.

4. Can wicked people have *shalom*? Why or why not?

Yes and no. Writers in the Bible specifically mention noticing the *shalom* enjoyed by the wicked, as Asaph did in Psalm 73. But that *shalom* will not last.

5. What counts as real peace?

Answers will vary. Responses might mention absence of conflict with God (Eph 2:14–17) or with others.