Lexical Summary Salém: Salem Original Word: Σαλήμ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Salem. Of Hebrew origin (Shalem); Salem (i.e. Shalem), a place in Palestine -- Salem. see HEBREW Shalem NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin Shalem Definition Salem, the home of Melchizedek NASB Translation Salem (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4532: ΣαλήμΣαλήμ, ἡ (Heb. שָׁלֵם), Salem: Hebrews 7:1f; cf. Genesis 14:18, which some (as Gesenius, Winer, Hitzig, Knobel, Delitzsch) think is the ancient name of the city of Jerusalem, appealing to the words of Psalm 76:3 סֻכּו בְּשָׁלֵם וַיְהִי, and Josephus, Antiquities 1, 10, 2 τήν μέντοι Σολυμα ὕστερον ἐκάλεσαν Ἱεροσόλυμα; cf. b. j. 6, 10. But more correctly (yet cf. B. D. under the word Topical Lexicon Occurrences in the New Testament The form Σαλήμ (Salēm) appears twice, both in Hebrews 7. The writer recalls the narrative of Melchizedek and anchors his argument for the superiority of Christ’s priesthood in the historical figure who was “king of Salem” (Hebrews 7:1–2). No other New Testament author uses the term, giving Hebrews an exclusive theological focus on the ancient city. Historical and Geographical Background 1. Identification with Jerusalem. Jewish tradition, echoed by early Christian writers, equated Salem with Jerusalem. This rests on the phonetic similarity between “Salem” and “Shalom” and on texts like Psalm 76:2, “His tent is in Salem, His dwelling place in Zion,” which poetically parallels Salem and Zion. Biblical Theology and Typology Hebrews 7 builds on Genesis 14:18–20 to present Melchizedek as both king and priest, combining offices later separated in Israel’s monarchy and Levitical system. The city’s name, meaning “peace,” allows the author to explain: “first, by interpretation, king of righteousness; then also king of Salem, that is, king of peace” (Hebrews 7:2). Thus Salem becomes emblematic of two covenant blessings—righteousness and peace—ultimately realized in Messiah. Christological Significance 1. Prefiguration. Melchizedek’s priesthood, arising from Salem, foreshadows the eternal priesthood of the Son of God “in the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 7:17). Connections with Old Testament Salem • Genesis 14:18—First appearance of Melchizedek, king of Salem, blessing Abraham. By invoking these passages, Hebrews shows continuity across covenants, affirming the reliability of Scripture’s unified witness. Implications for Priesthood and Covenant Because Salem predates the Levitical priesthood, Melchizedek’s blessing of Abraham demonstrates a priestly order superior to Levi. Hebrews argues that when Levi paid tithes “through Abraham,” the entire Levitical system acknowledged Melchizedek’s greater status (Hebrews 7:9–10). Therefore, Christ’s priesthood—after the same order—grounds the new covenant’s efficacy and finality. Practical Ministry Reflections • Authentic peace is inseparable from righteousness; Salem’s twin themes find their fulfillment only in Christ. In summary, Σαλήμ is far more than an ancient toponym. In the hands of the Hebrews author it becomes a theological touchstone, connecting Abraham’s faith, David’s city, and the everlasting priest-king, Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations Σαλημ Σαλήμ Salem Salēm SalḗmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Hebrews 7:1 NGRK: Μελχισεδέκ βασιλεὺς Σαλήμ ἱερεὺς τοῦ NAS: king of Salem, priest KJV: king of Salem, priest INT: Melchizadek King of Salem priest Hebrews 7:2 N |
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