Lexical Summary shalanan: Secure, at ease, tranquil Original Word: שַׁלְאֲנָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance being at ease For sha'anan; tranquil -- being at ease. see HEBREW sha'anan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as shaanan, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs שַׁלְאֲנָן Job 21:23 lapsus cal. for שַׁאֲנָן, q. v. (compare perlesAnal.82). Topical Lexicon Concept Overview The term שַׁלְאֲנָן denotes a state of undisturbed security and prosperity. In its lone biblical appearance it captures the picture of a person whose life is marked by tranquil enjoyment, free from outward distress, right up to the moment of death. Biblical Occurrence Job 21:23: “One man dies full of vigor, completely secure and at ease.” Here שַׁלְאֲנָן underlines Job’s argument that earthly circumstances cannot be used as a sure gauge of righteousness or divine approval. Exegetical Insight • Parallelism in Job 21:23–26 sets “secure and at ease” against “soul full of bitterness” to show that both kinds of men “lie down together in the dust.” Historical and Cultural Background In the Ancient Near East, peaceful prosperity until death was commonly viewed as a marker of divine favor. Job subverts that expectation, exposing the inadequacy of surface readings of providence and pressing readers to look beyond immediate circumstances to the sovereign purposes of God. Theological Themes 1. Mortality’s Leveling Effect – Both the carefree and the afflicted face the grave (Job 21:26; Hebrews 9:27). Intercanonical Connections While the exact word is unique to Job, related ideas appear: These passages collectively reveal that ease is a blessing only when rooted in reverent obedience; otherwise it becomes a snare. Christological and Redemptive Significance Jesus Christ, though entitled to divine glory, embraced suffering rather than earthly ease (Philippians 2:5-8). By His death and resurrection He provides the believer with a rest that surpasses temporal comfort (Matthew 11:28-29; Hebrews 4:9-11). The contrast between Christ’s self-emptying and the complacent ease depicted in Job exposes the futility of placing confidence in present prosperity. Practical Ministry Application • Pastoral Counseling – Remind the affluent or comfortable that security apart from God is fragile; encourage stewardship and generosity (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Eschatological Hope Earthly shal’anān is momentary; lasting peace awaits in the new creation where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). The believer’s ultimate rest is secured in the finished work of Christ, assuring that current trials or comforts alike are temporary preludes to eternal shalom. Forms and Transliterations שַׁלְאֲנַ֥ן שלאנן šal’ănan šal·’ă·nan shalaNanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 21:23 HEB: תֻּמּ֑וֹ כֻּ֝לּ֗וֹ שַׁלְאֲנַ֥ן וְשָׁלֵֽיו׃ KJV: strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. INT: his full wholly ease and satisfied 1 Occurrence |
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