Shalem
“Safe, at peace, or complete”
Summary
A place near Shechem where Jacob camped after returning from Paddan-aram, though scholars debate whether 'shalem' refers to a place name or means 'in peace/safety.'
☩Biblical Reference
Shalem appears in Genesis 33:18, where Jacob arrived 'shalem' at Shechem after his return from Paddan-aram. The Hebrew text is ambiguous—'shalem' can be read either as a place name or as an adverb meaning 'safely' or 'in peace.' The King James Version and some other translations treat it as a proper noun, identifying Shalem as a city.
☩Scholarly Interpretation
Most modern scholars and translations interpret 'shalem' adverbially, translating the phrase as 'Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem.' This reading emphasizes the fulfillment of Jacob's prayer at Bethel (Genesis 28:21) that God would bring him back to his father's house 'in peace.' The Septuagint supports this interpretation by rendering the word as 'safe.'
Related Verses1 mention
Genesis· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shalem," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Shalem," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).