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THE MEANING OF THE WORD “SHALOM”
By Dr. Michael McCabe, SMA
The Hebrew word “shalom”, like its Arabic cognate “salaam,” traces its roots to
several Semitic languages. The Akkadian “salamu,” meaning “to be healthy, whole,
complete” comes closest to the core meaning of the root. The notions of health, wholeness
and completion are, therefore, included in all the variants of the word. “Shalom” is translated
by the English word “peace,” which designates primarily the absence of conflict. The
Hebrew word, however, denotes the presence of the desirable qualities of well-being, a sense
of wholeness, harmony. The common Hebrew salutation “Shalom „alekem,” (“Peace upon
you”), like its Arabic equivalent, is far more significant than the English salutation “Good
morning” or “Good Evening.”
The prophet Isaiah uses the word “shalom” to convey the blessings for God‟s people
associated with the coming of the Messiah, namely justice, peace, fruitfulness and harmony
in creation – all gifts of God. For Isaiah there is no peace worthy of the name without justice
(cf. Is 5:9). Peace is the fruit of justice (cf. Is 48:18) but justice can also be the fruit of peace
(cf. Is 32:16-19). In any case, peace and justice are inseparable. The peace which the Messiah
will bring to God‟s people will be accompanied by the flourishing of the desert. “The desert
and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with
abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song” (Is 35:1-2).
The Greek translation of the Bible (known as the “Septuagint”) translates “shalom”
by the word “irene.” Irene is both a gift from God and a moral disposition which can be
commanded. Christ wanted his disciples to be “peacemakers” (cf. Mt 5:9). Of all the
beatitudes of Jesus, the one about peacemakers is the most assertive. All the others designate
an attitude to be cultivated, while this one describes a concrete action. Luke uses the term
“irene” more frequently than the other evangelists. For him it acts as a kind of capsule for all
the blessings contained in the Good News of Jesus Christ. This is also true for St. Paul who
calls the Gospel of Christ Jesus “the Gospel of peace” (Eph 6: 15). In the Talmud, Peace is
one of God‟s names.
THE MEANING OF THE WORD “SHALOM”
By Dr. Michael McCabe, SMA
[Theological Advisor, SCCRR]
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The Latin Bible (known as the “Vulgate”), usually translates “irene” by “pax,” while
retaining the rich associations of its Hebrew roots. For the Romans the word “pax”
commonly referred to an enforced programme of pacification. St Paul would have been very
much aware of the inherent ambiguities and limitations of this pax romana. For him peace
cannot be imposed; it must be received first as a gift. It comes from God and it comes in and
through Jesus Christ. “Christ is our peace” (Eph 2.14). Moreover, the peace Christ brings us
is a peace made possible “by the blood of his cross” (Col 1:20).
For Paul, then, peace is not something sinful human creatures can accomplish by
themselves. From first to last it is God‟s work. At the same time, we can and do have a
significant role to play in effecting peace. As Paul puts it “[God] has enlisted us in the
ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:19). Among the first Christian communities, the pursuit
of peace was one of the highest priorities for Christian conduct. This is clearly affirmed by
St Peter (cf. 1 Peter 3:11) and the author of the Letter to the Hebrews (cf. Heb 12:14) as well
as by St Paul (cf. Rom 12:18).
Unfortunately, as the Christian tradition developed over the centuries, peace became
overly spiritualized and identified predominantly as an inner feeling (serenity) with little
relevance to the social and political realms of human life. But interior serenity is just one
dimension of the peace God wants us to receive and transmit to others. The “shalom” of God
is meant to embrace all the dimensions of human life, spiritual and material, personal, interpersonal and social. Having received the peace of Christ in our hearts, that gift which
surpasses human understanding, we are then called and challenged to become “peacemakers” in our world of tragic conflicts, fragile hopes and broken promises.
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THE MEANING OF THE WORD “SHALOM”
By Dr. Michael McCabe, SMA
[Theological Advisor, SCCRR]