Lexical Summary shalev: Prosperous, secure, at ease Original Word: שָׁלֵו Strong's Exhaustive Concordance being at ease, peaceable, in prosperity, quietness, wealthy Or shaleyv {shaw-lave'}; feminine shlevah {shel-ay-vaw'}; from shalah; tranquil; (in a bad sense) careless; abstractly, security -- (being) at ease, peaceable, (in) prosper(-ity), quiet(-ness), wealthy. see HEBREW shalah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shalah Definition quiet, at ease NASB Translation carefree (1), ease (3), peaceful (1), prosperous (1), quiet (1), satisfied (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שָׁלֵו (LagBN 43), שָׁלֵרוּ, שְׁלֵרו adjective quiet, at ease; — 1 of person at ease, שָׁלֵו Job 16:12, שָׁלֵיו Job 21:23 (Köii. 1.83); of nation, שְׁלֵיו (possibly diminutive (Köii. l.144) Jeremiah 49:31 ("" יוֺבֵ לָבֶטַח); prosperous, of city feminine singular שְׁלֵוָה Zechariah 7:7; of wicked, masculine plural construct וְשַׁלְוֵי עוֺלָם Psalm 73:12 (ReH. iii. 131 proposes יִשְׁלָיוּ עֲוִילִים). 2 of land, quiet, שְׁלֵשׁלֵוָה 1 Chronicles 4:40 ("" שֹׁקֶטֶת). 3 in לֹא יָדַע שָׁלֵו בְּבִטְנוֺ Job 20:20 ׳שׁ is apparently abstract noun quiet, ease, so Di De and others read שַׁלְוָח Siegf Bu, Du (after ᵐ5) לֹא שָׁלֵו בְּמַטְמֹנוֺ; שָׁלֵו Ezekiel 23:42 is corrupt, Hi Co Berthol (compare Da) שָׁרוּ sang, Toy שָׁרִים, Krae רִים. Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Theological Nuances שָׁלֵו (shalew) describes a state of undisturbed ease—materially prosperous, outwardly secure, and free from immediate threat. Scripture employs the term both positively (genuine rest granted by God) and negatively (self-satisfied complacency that forgets God). The word therefore functions as a diagnostic lens, exposing the moral direction of the heart when life feels “at ease.” Canonical Distribution Shalew appears only eight times, spread across historical narrative, wisdom literature, psalmody, and prophetic oracles: • 1 Chronicles 4:40 This limited yet diverse placement highlights how every genre confronts the temptation to trust earthly security rather than the covenant Lord. Portraits of People “at Ease” 1. Prosperous Shepherds (1 Chronicles 4:40) – In the chronicler’s record of the Simeonites, the land is described as “spacious, peaceful, and quiet.” Here shalew depicts the Lord’s gracious provision following faith-driven migration. Covenant Perspective True rest derives from covenant fidelity; counterfeit rest arises when blessings become idols. Throughout Israel’s story, shalew becomes the tipping point: ease should lead to thankful obedience (Deuteronomy 8), but it often fosters forgetfulness and judgment (Amos 6:1 echoes the motif though using a different term). Prophetic Warnings Against Carnal Security The prophets repeatedly target nations and individuals “at ease,” not because ease is sinful per se, but because it dulls spiritual vigilance. Jeremiah and Ezekiel show that God will disturb false peace to reawaken covenant awareness. Zechariah, ministering after exile, reminds a new generation that previous complacency led to catastrophe, urging them to “administer true justice” (Zechariah 7:9). Wisdom Literature and the Problem of Prosperity Job and Psalms wrestle with theodicy: why does God allow the wicked to be shalew? The resolution lies in God’s sovereign timing. Job 20:20 foresees eventual downfall; Psalm 73 finds sanctuary-illumination—“then I understood their end” (Psalm 73:17). Ease without God is fleeting; ease with God is eternal (Isaiah 32:17). Pastoral and Devotional Application 1. Gratitude over Presumption – Believers enjoying seasons of tranquility must cultivate humility, recognizing the Giver (James 1:17). Christological Fulfillment Jesus embodies the righteous sufferer shattered in His prime (Job 16:12 parallel) so that He might grant true rest: “Come to Me… and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). In Him, shalew becomes more than circumstantial comfort; it is the eschatological peace secured by the cross and guaranteed in the new creation. Summary Statement Shalew warns and invites. It warns against the illusion that earthly security is ultimate, and it invites believers to seek the deeper, unassailable peace found in covenant union with the Lord, climaxing in the Prince of Peace Himself. Forms and Transliterations וְשַׁלְוֵ֥י וְשָׁלֵֽיו׃ וּשְׁלֵוָ֑ה וּשְׁלֵוָ֔ה ושלוה ושלוי ושליו׃ שְׁלֵ֛יו שָׁ֘לֵ֤ו שָׁלֵ֣ו שלו שליו šā·lêw šālêw šə·lêw šəlêw shaLev sheLeiv ū·šə·lê·wāh ūšəlêwāh usheleVah veshaLeiv veshalVei wə·šā·lêw wə·šal·wê wəšālêw wəšalwêLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 4:40 HEB: יָדַ֔יִם וְשֹׁקֶ֖טֶת וּשְׁלֵוָ֑ה כִּ֣י מִן־ NAS: and quiet and peaceful; for those who lived KJV: and quiet, and peaceable; for [they] of Ham INT: able and quiet and peaceful for for of Job 16:12 Job 20:20 Job 21:23 Psalm 73:12 Jeremiah 49:31 Ezekiel 23:42 Zechariah 7:7 8 Occurrences |
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