Introduction:
Shalem is a term found in the Bible that has been the subject of various interpretations and discussions among scholars and theologians. It is often associated with the city of Salem, which is traditionally linked to Jerusalem. The term "Shalem" itself is derived from a root meaning "peace" or "complete," and it appears in the context of biblical narratives that emphasize themes of peace, righteousness, and divine encounter.

Biblical References:
The primary reference to Shalem is found in Genesis 33:18, where it is mentioned in the context of Jacob's journey: "After Jacob came from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan, and he camped in front of the city." The Berean Standard Bible translates this passage as Jacob arriving "safely," which some interpretations suggest could be rendered as "in peace" or "to Shalem."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Shalem is often identified with the ancient city of Salem, which is mentioned in Genesis 14:18 in connection with Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High. This association is further supported by Psalm 76:2, which states, "His tent is in Salem, His dwelling place in Zion." This verse links Salem with Zion, a poetic name for Jerusalem, suggesting that Shalem and Salem may refer to the same location.

Theological Significance:
The mention of Shalem in the context of Jacob's journey is significant for several reasons. First, it underscores the theme of divine protection and fulfillment of God's promises. Jacob's safe arrival in Shalem symbolizes the peace and completion of his journey, reflecting God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Additionally, the association of Shalem with Melchizedek and Salem introduces a typological foreshadowing of Christ. Melchizedek, as both king and priest, prefigures the dual role of Jesus Christ as the King of Kings and the Great High Priest. Hebrews 7:1-3 elaborates on this typology, emphasizing Melchizedek's eternal priesthood and its fulfillment in Christ.

Cultural and Religious Interpretations:
In Jewish tradition, Shalem is sometimes identified with Jerusalem, emphasizing its role as a city of peace and divine presence. The name itself, meaning "peace" or "complete," resonates with the biblical vision of Jerusalem as a place where God's peace and righteousness dwell.

Christian interpretations often focus on the typological connections between Melchizedek, Shalem, and Christ. The peaceful arrival of Jacob in Shalem can be seen as a precursor to the ultimate peace brought by Christ, who reconciles humanity to God.

Conclusion:
While the exact identification of Shalem remains a topic of scholarly debate, its biblical references and theological implications are rich with meaning. Whether understood as a literal location or a symbolic representation of peace and divine encounter, Shalem holds a significant place in the biblical narrative, pointing to God's faithfulness and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises through Jesus Christ.Shalem

same as Salem

Shalem

(safe). (Genesis 33:18) Probably not a proper name, but a place. It is certainly remarkable that there should be a modern village hearing the name of Salim three miles east of Nablus , the ancient Shechem.

Perfect, a place (probably the village of Salim) some 2 miles east of Jacob's well. There is an abundant supply of water, which may have been the reason for Jacob's settling at this place (Genesis 33:18-20). The Revised Version translates this word, and reads, "Jacob came in peace to the city of Shechem," thus not regarding it as a proper name at all. SHALEM

sha'-lem (shalem; eis Salem): The word as a place-name occurs only in Genesis 33:18. With Luther, following Septuagint, Peshitta and Vulgate, the King James Version reads "And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem." the Revised Version (British and American) with the Targums Onqelos and pseudo-Jonathan, the Samaritan codex and the Arabic, reads "came in peace to the city of Shechem." There is a heavy balance of opinion among scholars in favor of the latter reading. It is certainly a remarkable fact, supporting the King James Version, that about 4 miles East of Shechem (Nablus), there is a village bearing the name Salem. If the King James Version is right, this must represent the city referred to; and East of Salem would transpire the events recorded in Genesis 44. Against this is the old tradition locating Jacob's well and Joseph's tomb near to Shechem. Eusebius (in Onomasticon) gets over the difficulty by identifying Shalem with Shechem.

W. Ewing

4532. Salem -- Salem, the home of Melchizedek
... Word Origin of Hebrew origin Shalem Definition Salem, the home of Melchizedek NASB
Word Usage Salem (2). Salem. ... see HEBREW Shalem. (salem) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4532.htm - 6k

4539. Salome -- Salome, the mother of the apostles James and John
... Word Origin of Hebrew origin Shalem Definition Salome, the mother of the
apostles James and John NASB Word Usage Salome (2). Salome. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4539.htm - 6k

8004. Shalem -- "peaceful," an early name of Jer.
... 8003, 8004. Shalem. 8005 . "peaceful," an early name of Jer. Transliteration:
Shalem Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-lame') Short Definition: Salem. ...
/hebrew/8004.htm - 6k

8003. shalem -- complete, safe, at peace
... 8002, 8003. shalem. 8004 . complete, safe, at peace. Transliteration: shalem
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-lame') Short Definition: whole. ...
/hebrew/8003.htm - 6k

7999a. shalem -- to be complete or sound
... 7999, 7999a. shalem. 7999b . to be complete or sound. Transliteration: shalem
Short Definition: pay. Word Origin a prim. ... 7999, 7999a. shalem. 7999b . ...
/hebrew/7999a.htm - 6k

8006. Shillem -- a man of Naphtali
... Word Origin from shalem Definition a man of Naphtali NASB Word Usage Shillem (2).
Shillem. The same as shillem; Shillem, an Israelite -- Shillem. ...
/hebrew/8006.htm - 6k

7966. shillum -- requital
... bribe. Word Origin from shalem Definition requital NASB Word Usage bribe
(1), recompense (1), retribution (1). recompense, reward. ...
/hebrew/7966.htm - 6k

8011. shillumah -- requital, retribution
... Word Origin from shalem Definition requital, retribution NASB Word Usage recompense
(1). recompense. Feminine of shilluwm; retribution -- recompense. ...
/hebrew/8011.htm - 6k

7967. Shallum -- the name of a number of Isr.
... Transliteration: Shallum or Shallum Phonetic Spelling: (shal-loom') Short Definition:
Shallum. Word Origin from shalem Definition the name of a number of Isr. ...
/hebrew/7967.htm - 6k

8000. shelem -- to be complete
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to shalem Definition to be complete NASB Word
Usage completed (1), deliver in full (1), put an end (1). deliver, finish. ...
/hebrew/8000.htm - 6k

7965. shalom -- completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
... Word Origin from shalem Definition completeness, soundness, welfare, peace NASB
Word Usage close (2), ease (1), favorable (1), friend* (1), friendly terms (1 ...
/hebrew/7965.htm - 6k

8015. Shelomi -- an Asherite
... Word Origin from shalem Definition an Asherite NASB Word Usage Shelomi (1). Shelomi.
From shalowm; peaceable; Shelomi, an Israelite -- Shelomi. ...
/hebrew/8015.htm - 6k

Jehovam-Shalem, the Lord Send Peace. Judg 6:24
... JUDGES Hymn 22 JEHOVAM-SHALEM, The LORD send peace. Judg 6:24. William Cowper
8,8,8,8. JEHOVAM-SHALEM, The LORD send peace. Judges 6:24. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 22 jehovam-shalem the lord.htm

Jerusalem
... The first name of this city was Shalem, Genesis 14:18, Psalm 76:2, and it is
still retained in the writing, however it is read Jerushalaim. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 21 jerusalem.htm

Jesus at the Well of Sychar
... Similarly, the eastern extension of the plain bears the name of the Valley of Shalem,
from the hamlet of that name, which probably occupies the site of the ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii jesus at the.htm

Appendix D.
... True enough it is that Jacob, when he came from Padan Aram, "bought a parcel of
a field" at "Shalem a city of Shechem," "at the hand of the children of Hamor ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/appendix d.htm

Chapter xxxiii
... is being recorded when it is said that "he arrived safe and sound" and that the
city of Shechem to which he came was "in the land of Canaan." Shalem is hardly ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiii.htm

Olney Hymns
... JOSHUA. Hymn 21 GIBEON. Josh 10:6. JUDGES. Hymn 22 JEHOVAM-SHALEM, The LORD send
peace. Judg 6:24. Hymn 23 GIDEON's fleece. Judg 6:37-40. Hymn 24 SAMPSON's lion ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/

Letter Xlvi. Paula and Eustochium to Marcella.
... "Truly Jerusalem name we that shore Vision of peace that brings joy evermore.".
[961] Hebrew, Shelomoh, connected with shalem, peace. [962] Psalm 76:2, LXX. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xlvi paula and eustochium.htm

Here Beginneth the Life of Isaac
... And Jacob came to Succoth and builded there an house, and from thence he went in
to Shalem, the town of Shechem which is in the land of Canaan, and bought ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the life of.htm

Chapter xv
... The measure was not yet "complete" (shalem), that is, they were nearing the point
where divine tolerance could bear with them no longer, but they had not yet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xv.htm

Shalem (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHALEM. sha'-lem (shalem; eis Salem):
The word as a place-name occurs only in Genesis 33:18. With ...
/s/shalem.htm - 8k

Perfection (30 Occurrences)
... pur'-fekt, per-fek'-shun (shalem, tamim; teleios, teleiotes): 1. In the Old Testament:
"Perfect" in the Old Testament is the translation of shalem, "finished ...
/p/perfection.htm - 25k

Perfect (205 Occurrences)
... pur'-fekt, per-fek'-shun (shalem, tamim; teleios, teleiotes): 1. In the Old Testament:
"Perfect" in the Old Testament is the translation of shalem, "finished ...
/p/perfect.htm - 47k

Shechem (61 Occurrences)
... meeting with Esau (Genesis 33:18). Eusebius, in Onomasticon, here identifies
Shechem with Shalem; but see SHALEM. To the East of the ...
/s/shechem.htm - 38k

Encampeth (13 Occurrences)
... Genesis 33:18 And Jacob cometh in to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which 'is' in the
land of Canaan, in his coming from Padan-Aram, and encampeth before the city ...
/e/encampeth.htm - 10k

Money (284 Occurrences)
... word is used in connection with the purchase of the cave of Machpelah (23:16), and
again in connection with Jacob's purchase of a field at Shalem (Genesis 33:18 ...
/m/money.htm - 69k

Pitched (101 Occurrences)
... Genesis 33:18 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land
of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city. ...
/p/pitched.htm - 33k

Padanaram (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 33:18 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land
of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city. ...
/p/padanaram.htm - 9k

Salem (5 Occurrences)
... sa'-lem (shalem; Salem): The name of the city of which Melchizedek was king (Genesis
14:18 Hebrews 7:1, 2; compare Psalm 76:2). 1. Identification and Meaning ...
/s/salem.htm - 10k

Salim (1 Occurrence)
... It was probably the Shalem mentioned in Genesis 33:18, about 7 miles south of AEnon,
at the head of the great Wady Far'ah, which formed the northern boundary ...
/s/salim.htm - 15k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus