Lexical Summary shelem: peace offerings, peace offering Original Word: שֶׁלֶם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance peace offering From shalam; properly, requital, i.e. A (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks -- peace offering. see HEBREW shalam NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shalem Definition a sacrifice for alliance or friendship, peace offering NASB Translation peace offering (2), peace offerings (85). Brown-Driver-Briggs שֶׁ֫לֶם87 noun [masculine] sacrifice for alliance or friendship, 'peace-offering' (explanation disputed: originally sacrifice for alliance Di; al. peace-offering (mark of peace with God), ᵐ5Sm. Kings Proverbs εἰρηνική, De StaG i. 496 WeHeid. 71 (fellowship between God and worshippers); welfare-offering, ᵐ5 elsewhere σωτήριον, Ke; thank-offering (as due rendered for benefit, or in paying vow, compare v Pi`el 4, and Proverbs 7:14) Ges Ew Kn; sacred meal its special feature: see RSSemitic i. 219; 2nd ed. 237; NowArchaeology ii. 211 f. GFMEncy. Bib. SACRIFICE, § 11; Assyrian šulmu = שֶׁלֶם is cited by J JeremEncy. Bib. RITUAL, § 11); — construct ׳שׁ Amos 5:22; elsewhere plural שְׁלָמִים Exodus 24:5 69t.; construct שַׁלְמֵי Leviticus 10:14; suffix שְׁלָמֶ֫יךָ Exodus 20:24, etc.; plural is abstract intensive Leviticus 7:13; Numbers 6:17 (P) +; plural of number Exodus 24:5 (JE), 1 Samuel 11:15 +; usually hard to decide; ׳שׁ (in app.) defines זְכָּחִים Exodus 24:5 (JE), and so זבח of covt. of Horeb is ׳שׁ, as also sacrifice for Saul 1 Samuel 11:15; following phrase shew ׳שׁ essentially = זבחים in like phrase (see זבח); ׳שׁ coming to mean ׳ז in all ritual; over against עוֺלוֺת Exodus 20:24; Exodus 32:6 (JE), Leviticus 6:5 (P), Deuteronomy 27:7; Joshua 8:31 (D), Judges 20:26; Judges 21:4; 1 Samuel 13:9; 2 Samuel 6:17,18; 2 Samuel 24:25; 1 Kings 3:15; 1 Kings 9:25; 1 Chronicles 16:1,2; 1 Chronicles 21:26; 2Chronicles 31:2; Ezekiel 43:27; Ezekiel 45:17; Ezekiel 46:2,12; so in longer lists Leviticus 9:4,22; Numbers 6:14; Numbers 29:39 (P), 1 Kings 8:64 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 16:13; 2Chronicles 7:7; 29:35; Ezekiel 45:15,17; Ezekiel 46:12; and when ׳שׁ alone Leviticus 7:14,33; in P ׳שׁ defines ׳ז in construct singular or plural: Exodus 29:28; Leviticus 3:1 34t. P, Leviticus 17:5; Leviticus 19:5; Leviticus 22:21; Leviticus 23:19 (H), so 1 Samuel 10:8; 1 Kings 8:63; 2Chronicles 30:22; 33:16; Proverbs 7:14; ׳שׁ ׳ז of H and P including תודה, נדר, נדבה Leviticus 7:12,16, and so ׳זבח תודה שׁ Leviticus 7:13; Leviticus 7:15; ׳שׁ distinguished from (larger) ׳ז in lists ׳שׁ, ׳ז, עולות Joshua 22:27 (P); נדר, ׳ז, עלה Numbers 15:8 (P); ׳שׁ distinguished from נְדָבָה Ezekiel 46:12 (where may = either of other two); from נדרים, נדבות Numbers 29:39 (P) (and must then reference to תודות); from נדר Numbers 15:8 (P); apparently then not distinguished from תּוֺדוֺת, תּוֺדָה2Chronicles 33:16 being probably specification. Topical Lexicon Scope and Range of Usage שֶׁלֶם (shelem) designates the “peace offering” or “fellowship offering” presented at Israel’s altar. Although the singular appears, the plural שְׁלָמִים (shelamim) is far more common, highlighting the offering’s corporate and participatory character. Approximately eighty-seven occurrences span the Pentateuch, historical narratives, poetry, and prophetic books, underscoring its foundational place in Israel’s worship. Covenantal Purpose The peace offering occupies a unique place in the sacrificial system described in Leviticus 3; 7. It is the only blood sacrifice in which the worshiper, the priesthood, and the Lord all receive a portion, vividly portraying restored harmony within the covenant community. “The priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma. All the fat belongs to the LORD” (Leviticus 3:16). By inviting the offerer to feast on the remaining meat (Leviticus 7:15), the rite celebrates reconciliation already accomplished rather than pleading for it. Categories within the Offering Leviticus 7:11–17 delineates three primary motives: 1. Thank offerings (Leviticus 7:12–15; Psalm 107:22). Each subtype retains the core symbolism of restored fellowship yet allows personal circumstances—a deliverance, a completed promise, or spontaneous devotion—to shape the occasion. Ritual Procedure and Symbolism • Selection of an unblemished animal from herd or flock (Leviticus 3:1, 6). Historical Examples Joshua renewed covenant unity with peace offerings at Mount Ebal (Joshua 8:31). Samuel inaugurated the monarchy by offering them at Mizpah (1 Samuel 11:15). David’s joyous procession when the ark returned climaxed in peace offerings and nationwide feasting (2 Samuel 6:17–19). Solomon dedicated the first Temple with an extraordinary twenty-two thousand cattle and one hundred twenty thousand sheep as peace offerings (1 Kings 8:63), illustrating royal largesse and collective rejoicing. Conversely, apostate rites could pervert the form without heart loyalty (Amos 5:22). Poetic and Prophetic Allusions The Psalms frequently recount paying or intending peace offerings (Psalm 50:14; 116:17), integrating temple liturgy with personal testimony. The prophets sometimes cite them to expose hypocrisy (Isaiah 1:11; Jeremiah 6:20) or to foreshadow a future, purer worship (Ezekiel 45:15). Christological Fulfillment Whereas the burnt offering points to atonement and the grain offering to consecrated service, the peace offering anticipates the communion believers enjoy through Christ’s finished work. “He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14), and by His blood “we have boldness to enter the Most Holy Place” (Hebrews 10:19). The Lord’s Table echoes the shared meal of shelem: God provides the sacrifice, invites the participants, and secures everlasting fellowship (1 Corinthians 10:16–17). Practical Ministry Applications • Gratitude: The peace offering’s thank subtype challenges modern worshippers to render tangible thanksgiving, not merely verbal assent. Eschatological Outlook Ezekiel envisions peace offerings in a future temple (Ezekiel 45:15). Whether taken literally or typologically, the emphasis remains on unbroken communion between God and His people, climaxing in the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). Summary שֶׁלֶם encapsulates the joyous, communal dimension of biblical sacrifice. It celebrates reconciliation already bestowed, nourishes covenant fellowship, and prefigures the complete peace secured in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations הַשְּׁלָמִ֑ים הַשְּׁלָמִ֔ים הַשְּׁלָמִ֖ים הַשְּׁלָמִ֗ים הַשְּׁלָמִ֛ים הַשְּׁלָמִ֥ים הַשְּׁלָמִֽים׃ הַשְּׁלָמִים֒ הַשְּׁלָמִים֙ הַשְּׁלָמִים֮ השלמים השלמים׃ וְהַשְּׁלָמִ֑ים וְהַשְּׁלָמִֽים׃ וְלִשְׁלָמִ֑ים וְשֶׁ֥לֶם וּבִשְׁלָמֵ֑ינוּ וּלְשַׁלְמֵיכֶֽם׃ וּשְׁלָמִ֑ים וּשְׁלָמִ֖ים וּשְׁלָמִ֗ים וּשְׁלָמִֽים׃ ובשלמינו והשלמים והשלמים׃ ולשלמיכם׃ ולשלמים ושלם ושלמים ושלמים׃ לִשְׁלָמִ֗ים לִשְׁלָמִֽים׃ לשלמים לשלמים׃ שְׁלָמִ֑ים שְׁלָמִ֔ים שְׁלָמִ֖ים שְׁלָמִ֛ים שְׁלָמִ֣ים שְׁלָמִֽים׃ שְׁלָמִים֙ שְׁלָמִים֮ שְׁלָמֶ֔יךָ שְׁלָמָ֔יו שְׁלָמָ֜יו שְׁלָמָֽיו׃ שְׁלָמָיו֙ שַׁלְמֵ֖י שַׁלְמֵיהֶ֑ם שַׁלְמֵיהֶ֔ם שַׁלְמֵיכֶ֑ם שַׁלְמֵיכֶ֔ם שַׁלְמֵיכֶֽם׃ שלמי שלמיהם שלמיו שלמיו׃ שלמיך שלמיכם שלמיכם׃ שלמים שלמים׃ haš·šə·lā·mîm hashshelaMim haššəlāmîm liš·lā·mîm lishlaMim lišlāmîm šal·mê šal·mê·hem šal·mê·ḵem šalmê šalmêhem šalmêḵem šə·lā·māw šə·lā·me·ḵā šə·lā·mîm šəlāmāw šəlāmeḵā šəlāmîm shalMei shalmeiChem shalmeiHem shelaMav shelaMeicha shelaMim ū·ḇiš·lā·mê·nū ū·lə·šal·mê·ḵem ū·šə·lā·mîm ūḇišlāmênū ūləšalmêḵem uleshalmeiChem ūšəlāmîm ushelaMim uvishlaMeinu vehashshelaMim velishlaMim veShelem wə·haš·šə·lā·mîm wə·liš·lā·mîm wə·še·lem wəhaššəlāmîm wəlišlāmîm wəšelemLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 20:24 HEB: עֹלֹתֶ֙יךָ֙ וְאֶת־ שְׁלָמֶ֔יךָ אֶת־ צֹֽאנְךָ֖ NAS: on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep KJV: thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, INT: and your burnt and your peace your sheep and your oxen Exodus 24:5 Exodus 29:28 Exodus 32:6 Leviticus 3:1 Leviticus 3:3 Leviticus 3:6 Leviticus 3:9 Leviticus 4:10 Leviticus 4:26 Leviticus 4:31 Leviticus 4:35 Leviticus 6:12 Leviticus 7:11 Leviticus 7:13 Leviticus 7:14 Leviticus 7:15 Leviticus 7:18 Leviticus 7:20 Leviticus 7:21 Leviticus 7:29 Leviticus 7:29 Leviticus 7:32 Leviticus 7:33 Leviticus 7:34 87 Occurrences |
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