Original Word: שָׁלֵם
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: shalem
Pronunciation: shah-LEM
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-lame')
KJV: full, just, made ready, peaceable, perfect(-ed), quiet, Shalem (by mistake for a name), whole
NASB: whole, full, wholly devoted, entire, perfect, uncut, blameless
Word Origin: [from H7999 (שָׁלַם - To be complete)]

1. complete (literally or figuratively)
2. especially friendly

full, just, made ready, peaceable, perfected, quiet

From shalam; complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly -- full, just, made ready, peaceable, perfect(-ed), quiet, Shalem (by mistake for a name), whole.

see HEBREW shalam

Word Origin
from shalem
Definition
complete, safe, at peace
NASB Translation
blameless (1), complete (1), completed (1), completely (1), entire (2), friendly (1), full (4), just (1), perfect (2), prepared (1), safely (1), uncut (2), whole (5), wholeheartedly* (1), wholly devoted (4).

I. שָׁלֵם adjective complete, safe, at peace; — ׳שׁ Genesis 15:16; +; plural שְׁלֵמִים Genesis 34:21; Nahum 1:12; feminine שְׁלֵמָה Deuteronomy 25:15 +; plural שְׁלֵמוֺת Deuteronomy 27:6; Joshua 8:31; —

1 complete:

a. full, perfect: אָבָן שְׁלֵמָה full weight Deuteronomy 25:15, ׳אֵיפָה שׁ Deuteronomy 25:15; Proverbs 11:1; of עֶוֺן Genesis 15:16 (JE); number of captives Amos 1:6,9; of army Nahum 1:12 (text corrupt; ᵐ5 משֵׁל מַיִם, but ?; see Commentaries); of reward Ruth 2:12; of stones, whole (in natural condition, unhewn) Deuteronomy 27:6; Joshua 8:31 (compare law Exodus 20:25).

b. finished: stones for temple 1 Kings 6:7; temple 2Chronicles 8:16.

2 safe, unharmed, of person Genesis 33:18 (P; Samaritan שׁלוֺם, compare בשׁלום Genesis 28:21; not proper name, of a location as Vrss).

3 in covt. of peace, friendship, with אֵת Genesis 34:21 (P); ׳לֵבָב שָׁלֵם עִם י a mind at peace with ׳י, keeping covt. relation, hence complete, perfect, 1 Kings 8:61; 1 Kings 11:4; 1 Kings 15:3,14; with אֶל2Chronicles 16:9, אֶל omitted 2 Kings 20:3 = Isaiah 38:3 (לֵב), 1 Chronicles 12:38; 2Chronicles 15:17; 19:9; 25:2; לֵב 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:9.

Semantic Range and Nuances

שָׁלֵם (shalem) conveys the idea of something that is whole, intact, finished, sound, at peace, or fully complete. It describes physical integrity (an uncut stone), ethical integrity (honest weights), and spiritual integrity (a heart wholly devoted to the LORD). Because the adjective derives from the same root as שָׁלוֹם (shalom), every occurrence carries undertones of peace that flows from wholeness.

Canonical Distribution

The word occurs about twenty-eight times, scattered through Torah (Genesis; Deuteronomy), the Historical Books (Joshua; Kings; Chronicles), Wisdom Literature (Proverbs; Song of Solomon), and the Prophets (Isaiah). This breadth shows that the notion of “wholeness” permeates Israel’s theology, worship, and daily life.

Wholeness in Personal Pilgrimage

Genesis 33:18 introduces shalem in narrative: “Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem”. What God had promised at Bethel (Genesis 28:15) becomes tangible—Jacob arrives “whole,” neither maimed by his exile nor destroyed by Esau. Shalem thus marks fulfilled promise and covenant preservation.

Covenant Loyalty and the “Whole Heart”

In Kings and Chronicles shalem most often modifies “heart.” David exemplifies it: “Let your hearts therefore be fully devoted to the LORD our God” (1 Kings 8:61). Solomon begins with such integrity (1 Kings 9:4) but forfeits it (1 Kings 11:4). Later annals repeat the diagnostic phrase:

• Abijam’s heart “was not fully devoted” (1 Kings 15:3).
• Asa’s heart “was fully committed all his days” (2 Chronicles 15:17).
• Hezekiah pleads, “I have walked before You faithfully and with a whole heart” (2 Kings 20:3; Isaiah 38:3).
• Amaziah “did what was right … but not wholeheartedly” (2 Chronicles 25:2).

A shalem heart is undivided, oriented entirely toward covenant faithfulness, and it becomes the prerequisite for God’s empowering favor: “The eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Integrity in Civic and Economic Life

Deuteronomy 25:15 commands, “You must have a full and honest weight and a full and honest measure.” Proverbs echoes it: “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight” (Proverbs 11:1); “Honest scales and balances are from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:11). Economic systems built on shalem reflect God’s own righteousness and safeguard communal shalom.

Cultic and Ritual Use

Israel’s altar had to be built of “uncut stones” (Deuteronomy 27:6; Joshua 8:31)—stones that were shalem. The untouched integrity of the stones underscores that salvation and worship originate with God, unaltered by human manipulation. The principle of wholeness that governs the altar later governs the worshiper’s heart.

National Solidarity and Leadership

When Israel crowned David, “All these men of war … came to Hebron with a perfect heart to make David king” (1 Chronicles 12:38). National unity flourishes where leadership and people are shalem toward God and one another.

Wisdom Literature and the Pursuit of Wholeness

Song of Solomon 5:2 applies shalem to the bride—“my flawless one”—extending the term to relational beauty. Wisdom Literature thus broadens the term beyond law and cult to encompass the aesthetics of covenant love.

Prophetic Echoes and Messianic Trajectory

Isaiah promises “the steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace” (Isaiah 26:3), pairing shalom with the assurance of wholeness. The prophets envision a day when covenant integrity will characterize the nation and its Davidic ruler. In Jesus Christ that trajectory culminates: “In Him you have been made complete” (Colossians 2:10). The Greek verb plēroō (“made complete”) matches the semantic field of shalem, indicating the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament wholeness.

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

1. Discipleship: God still seeks hearts that are shalem. Spiritual disciplines are not add-ons but means to an undivided life.
2. Leadership: Influence rises or falls on integrity. The Chronicler’s portraits warn that partial loyalty eventually unravels.
3. Justice: Economic honesty remains a gospel issue. Churches act prophetically when they model fair dealings and oppose exploitation.
4. Worship: God delights in what is unaltered by human self-promotion. Authentic worship flows from an intact heart, not ornate performance.

Summary

Shalem weaves together notions of peace, integrity, completion, and wholehearted devotion. Whether describing Jacob’s safe arrival, an altar’s uncut stones, honest business practices, or a king’s heart, the word presses every generation toward undivided loyalty to the LORD, whose redeeming work in Christ alone makes His people truly whole.

בְּלֵבָ֤ב בלבב שְֽׁלֵמִ֧ים שְׁלֵמ֔וֹת שְׁלֵמִים֙ שְׁלֵמָ֖ה שְׁלֵמָ֗ה שְׁלֵמָ֛ה שְׁלֵמָ֣ה שְׁלֵמָ֤ה שְׁלֵמָ֥ה שְׁלֵמָה֙ שְׁלֵמוֹת֙ שָׁלֵ֔ם שָׁלֵ֖ם שָׁלֵ֛ם שָׁלֵ֜ם שָׁלֵֽם׃ שָׁלֵם֙ שלם שלם׃ שלמה שלמות שלמים bə·lê·ḇāḇ bəlêḇāḇ beleVav šā·lêm šālêm šə·lê·māh šə·lê·mîm šə·lê·mō·wṯ šəlêmāh šəlêmîm šəlêmōwṯ shaLem sheleMah sheleMim shelemOtInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts