Lexical Summary
shalev: Prosperous, secure, at ease
Original Word: שָׁלֵו
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: shalev
Pronunciation: shah-LEV
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-lave')
KJV: (being) at ease, peaceable, (in) prosper(-ity), quiet(-ness), wealthy
NASB: ease, carefree, peaceful, prosperous, quiet, satisfied
Word Origin: [from H7951 (שָׁלָה שָׁלַו - prosper)]
1. tranquil
2. (in a bad sense) careless
3. abstractly, security
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
shalahDefinitionquiet, at ease
NASB Translationcarefree (1), ease (3), peaceful (1), prosperous (1), quiet (1), satisfied (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(Lag
BN 43), ,
; —
at ease, Job 16:12, Job 21:23 (Köii. 1.83); of nation, (possibly diminutive (Köii. l.144) Jeremiah 49:31 ("" ); prosperous, of city feminine singular Zechariah 7:7; of wicked, masculine plural construct Psalm 73:12 (ReH. iii. 131 proposes ).
, quiet, 1 Chronicles 4:40 ("" ).
in Job 20:20 is apparently abstract noun quiet, ease, so Di De and others read Siegf Bu, Du (after ) ; Ezekiel 23:42 is corrupt, Hi Co Berthol (compare Da) sang, Toy , Krae .
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
• Job 16:12; 20:20; 21:23
• Psalm 73:12
• Jeremiah 49:31
• Ezekiel 23:42
• Zechariah 7:7
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.
2. Job’s Personal Crisis (Job 16:12) – “I was at ease, but He shattered me.” Job recalls former tranquility to underscore the mystery of righteous suffering.
3. Greedy Oppressors (Job 20:20; Job 21:23) – Zophar argues that the wicked’s ease will be short-lived, whereas Job observes that some die “in full vigor, completely secure.” The tension underscores the already/not-yet nature of divine justice.
4. Enviable Evildoers (Psalm 73:12: “Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree, they increase their wealth.”) Asaph’s crisis of faith centers on the apparent success of the ungodly.
5. Self-Confident Nations (Jeremiah 49:31) – Concerning Kedar: “Rise up, advance against a nation at ease, one that lives in tranquility,” revealing how geopolitical calm can mask impending judgment.
6. Shameless Jerusalem (Ezekiel 23:42) – The revelry of Oholibah includes “a crowd of carefree revelers,” exposing the moral rot underlying Judah’s confidence.
7. Hardened Hearts after the Exile (Zechariah 7:7) – The prophet recalls earlier messages to a land then “at rest and secure,” indicting the people for ignoring covenant warnings.
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).
2. Vigilance in Prosperity – Spiritual disciplines guard the heart when external pressure is absent (Revelation 3:17-19).
3. Compassion toward the Afflicted – The contrast between Job 16:12 and Job 21:23 urges empathy; today’s ease can become tomorrow’s trial.
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 wəšalwê
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