Lexical Summary
shelem: peace offerings, peace offering
Original Word: שֶׁלֶם
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: shelem
Pronunciation: SHEH-lem
Phonetic Spelling: (sheh'-lem)
KJV: peace offering
NASB: peace offerings, peace offering
Word Origin: [from H7999 (שָׁלַם - To be complete)]
1. (properly) requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
peace offering
From shalam; properly, requital, i.e. A (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks -- peace offering.
see HEBREW shalam
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
shalemDefinitiona sacrifice for alliance or friendship, peace offering
NASB Translationpeace offering (2), peace offerings (85).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
87 (explanation disputed: originally sacrifice for
alliance Di; al.
peace-offering (mark of peace with God),
Sm. Kings Proverbs , De Sta
G i. 496 We
Heid. 71 (fellowship between God and worshippers);
welfare-offering, elsewhere , Ke;
thank-offering (as due rendered for benefit, or in paying vow, compare v , and
Proverbs 7:14) Ges Ew Kn; sacred meal its special feature: see RS
Semitic i. 219; 2nd ed. 237; Now
Archaeology ii. 211 f. GFM
Ency. Bib. SACRIFICE, § 11; Assyrian
šulmu = is cited by J Jerem
Ency. Bib. RITUAL, § 11); — construct
Amos 5:22; elsewhere plural
Exodus 24:5 69t.; construct
Leviticus 10:14; suffix
Exodus 20:24, etc.; plural is abstract intensive
Leviticus 7:13;
Numbers 6:17 (P) +; plural of number
Exodus 24:5 (JE),
1 Samuel 11:15 +; usually hard to decide; (in app.) defines
Exodus 24:5 (JE), and so of covt. of Horeb is , as also sacrifice for Saul
1 Samuel 11:15; following phrase shew essentially = in like phrase (see ); coming to mean in all ritual; over against
Exodus 20:24;
Exodus 32:6 (JE),
Leviticus 6:5 (P),
Deuteronomy 27:7;
Joshua 8:31 (D),
Judges 20:26;
Judges 21:4;
1 Samuel 13:9;
2 Samuel 6:17,18;
2 Samuel 24:25;
1 Kings 3:15;
1 Kings 9:25;
1 Chronicles 16:1,2;
1 Chronicles 21:26; 2Chronicles 31:2;
Ezekiel 43:27;
Ezekiel 45:17;
Ezekiel 46:2,12; so in longer lists
Leviticus 9:4,22;
Numbers 6:14;
Numbers 29:39 (P),
1 Kings 8:64 (twice in verse);
1 Kings 16:13; 2Chronicles 7:7; 29:35;
Ezekiel 45:15,17;
Ezekiel 46:12; and when alone
Leviticus 7:14,33; in P defines in construct singular or plural:
Exodus 29:28;
Leviticus 3:1 34t. P,
Leviticus 17:5;
Leviticus 19:5;
Leviticus 22:21;
Leviticus 23:19 (H), so
1 Samuel 10:8;
1 Kings 8:63; 2Chronicles 30:22; 33:16;
Proverbs 7:14; of H and P including , ,
Leviticus 7:12,16, and so
Leviticus 7:13;
Leviticus 7:15; distinguished from (larger) in lists , ,
Joshua 22:27 (P); , ,
Numbers 15:8 (P); distinguished from
Ezekiel 46:12 (where may = either of other two); from ,
Numbers 29:39 (P) (and must then reference to ); from
Numbers 15:8 (P); apparently then not distinguished from , 2Chronicles 33:16 being probably specification.
Topical Lexicon
Scope and Range of Usage שֶׁלֶם (shelem) designates the “peace offering” or “fellowship offering” presented at Israel’s altar. Although the singular appears, the plural שְׁלָמִים (shelamim) is far more common, highlighting the offering’s corporate and participatory character. Approximately eighty-seven occurrences span the Pentateuch, historical narratives, poetry, and prophetic books, underscoring its foundational place in Israel’s worship.
Covenantal Purpose
The peace offering occupies a unique place in the sacrificial system described in Leviticus 3; 7. It is the only blood sacrifice in which the worshiper, the priesthood, and the Lord all receive a portion, vividly portraying restored harmony within the covenant community. “The priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma. All the fat belongs to the LORD” (Leviticus 3:16). By inviting the offerer to feast on the remaining meat (Leviticus 7:15), the rite celebrates reconciliation already accomplished rather than pleading for it.
Categories within the Offering
Leviticus 7:11–17 delineates three primary motives:
1. Thank offerings (Leviticus 7:12–15; Psalm 107:22).
2. Vow offerings (Leviticus 7:16; 2 Samuel 15:7–9).
3. Freewill offerings (Leviticus 7:16; Psalm 54:6).
Each subtype retains the core symbolism of restored fellowship yet allows personal circumstances—a deliverance, a completed promise, or spontaneous devotion—to shape the occasion.
Ritual Procedure and Symbolism
• Selection of an unblemished animal from herd or flock (Leviticus 3:1, 6).
• Laying on of hands, identifying the worshiper with the substitute (Leviticus 3:2).
• Blood splashed around the altar, signifying life surrendered to God (Leviticus 3:2, 8, 13).
• Fatty portions burned, typifying the richest part given wholly to the Lord (Leviticus 3:3–5).
• Breast waved and right thigh lifted as priestly portions (Leviticus 7:30–34).
• Communal meal eaten in sanctuary precincts, fencing the fellowship by purity and gratitude (Leviticus 7:19–21).
Historical Examples
Joshua renewed covenant unity with peace offerings at Mount Ebal (Joshua 8:31). Samuel inaugurated the monarchy by offering them at Mizpah (1 Samuel 11:15). David’s joyous procession when the ark returned climaxed in peace offerings and nationwide feasting (2 Samuel 6:17–19). Solomon dedicated the first Temple with an extraordinary twenty-two thousand cattle and one hundred twenty thousand sheep as peace offerings (1 Kings 8:63), illustrating royal largesse and collective rejoicing. Conversely, apostate rites could pervert the form without heart loyalty (Amos 5:22).
Poetic and Prophetic Allusions
The Psalms frequently recount paying or intending peace offerings (Psalm 50:14; 116:17), integrating temple liturgy with personal testimony. The prophets sometimes cite them to expose hypocrisy (Isaiah 1:11; Jeremiah 6:20) or to foreshadow a future, purer worship (Ezekiel 45:15).
Christological Fulfillment
Whereas the burnt offering points to atonement and the grain offering to consecrated service, the peace offering anticipates the communion believers enjoy through Christ’s finished work. “He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14), and by His blood “we have boldness to enter the Most Holy Place” (Hebrews 10:19). The Lord’s Table echoes the shared meal of shelem: God provides the sacrifice, invites the participants, and secures everlasting fellowship (1 Corinthians 10:16–17).
Practical Ministry Applications
• Gratitude: The peace offering’s thank subtype challenges modern worshippers to render tangible thanksgiving, not merely verbal assent.
• Vows and Commitments: Integrity in pledges (Ecclesiastes 5:4–6) gains fresh weight when viewed through the vow offering tradition.
• Community Fellowship: Shared meals among believers manifest the reconciled relationships symbolized in shelem; hospitality thus becomes sacramental (Acts 2:46).
• Holiness in Participation: Just as unauthorized eaters defiled the offering (Leviticus 7:20), the New Testament warns against careless communion (1 Corinthians 11:27–32).
Eschatological Outlook
Ezekiel envisions peace offerings in a future temple (Ezekiel 45:15). Whether taken literally or typologically, the emphasis remains on unbroken communion between God and His people, climaxing in the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).
Summary
שֶׁלֶם encapsulates the joyous, communal dimension of biblical sacrifice. It celebrates reconciliation already bestowed, nourishes covenant fellowship, and prefigures the complete peace secured in Jesus Christ.
Forms and Transliterations
הַשְּׁלָמִ֑ים הַשְּׁלָמִ֔ים הַשְּׁלָמִ֖ים הַשְּׁלָמִ֗ים הַשְּׁלָמִ֛ים הַשְּׁלָמִ֥ים הַשְּׁלָמִֽים׃ הַשְּׁלָמִים֒ הַשְּׁלָמִים֙ הַשְּׁלָמִים֮ השלמים השלמים׃ וְהַשְּׁלָמִ֑ים וְהַשְּׁלָמִֽים׃ וְלִשְׁלָמִ֑ים וְשֶׁ֥לֶם וּבִשְׁלָמֵ֑ינוּ וּלְשַׁלְמֵיכֶֽם׃ וּשְׁלָמִ֑ים וּשְׁלָמִ֖ים וּשְׁלָמִ֗ים וּשְׁלָמִֽים׃ ובשלמינו והשלמים והשלמים׃ ולשלמיכם׃ ולשלמים ושלם ושלמים ושלמים׃ לִשְׁלָמִ֗ים לִשְׁלָמִֽים׃ לשלמים לשלמים׃ שְׁלָמִ֑ים שְׁלָמִ֔ים שְׁלָמִ֖ים שְׁלָמִ֛ים שְׁלָמִ֣ים שְׁלָמִֽים׃ שְׁלָמִים֙ שְׁלָמִים֮ שְׁלָמֶ֔יךָ שְׁלָמָ֔יו שְׁלָמָ֜יו שְׁלָמָֽיו׃ שְׁלָמָיו֙ שַׁלְמֵ֖י שַׁלְמֵיהֶ֑ם שַׁלְמֵיהֶ֔ם שַׁלְמֵיכֶ֑ם שַׁלְמֵיכֶ֔ם שַׁלְמֵיכֶֽם׃ שלמי שלמיהם שלמיו שלמיו׃ שלמיך שלמיכם שלמיכם׃ שלמים שלמים׃ haš·šə·lā·mîm hashshelaMim haššəlāmîm liš·lā·mîm lishlaMim lišlāmîm šal·mê šal·mê·hem šal·mê·ḵem šalmê šalmêhem šalmêḵem šə·lā·māw šə·lā·me·ḵā šə·lā·mîm šəlāmāw šəlāmeḵā šəlāmîm shalMei shalmeiChem shalmeiHem shelaMav shelaMeicha shelaMim ū·ḇiš·lā·mê·nū ū·lə·šal·mê·ḵem ū·šə·lā·mîm ūḇišlāmênū ūləšalmêḵem uleshalmeiChem ūšəlāmîm ushelaMim uvishlaMeinu vehashshelaMim velishlaMim veShelem wə·haš·šə·lā·mîm wə·liš·lā·mîm wə·še·lem wəhaššəlāmîm wəlišlāmîm wəšelem
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