Σαλώμη
Salṓmē
G4539 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name, feminine, referring to a woman named Salome. The name signifies 'peaceful' or 'at peace' by derivation, but in the Greek and Jewish contexts of the Hellenistic and Roman periods, it functions mainly as a proper noun without necessary reference to its etymological meaning. Used to designate specific female individuals, often of Judean or Israelite descent (e.g., attendants or relatives in Gospel narratives).
Semantic Range
proper female name; feminine personal name of Semitic origin; name used for historical Judeans and Israelite women; does not typically denote the abstract concept of 'peace' in context
Root / Etymology
From Hebrew שָׁלוֹם (shalom, 'peace'), with the Greek feminine ending -η (-ē). The name is originally a Hebrew given name (Shelomith or Shelomah in various vocalizations) Hellenized within Greek-speaking Judean contexts. The immediate Greek spelling renders the Hebrew root directly into the feminine Greek form.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name Σαλώμη is not inherently Greek but a transliteration of a Semitic (Hebrew/Aramaic) personal name, widely attested among Judeans (and other Semitic peoples) in the Second Temple and later periods. In the New Testament, Σαλώμη refers to women associated with Jesus' circle (e.g., Mark 15:40, 16:1; also a name for women within the Herodian dynasty, attested by Josephus). Though standard English translations typically transliterate as 'Salome,' the original Greek references a historical, geographic, and familial context: most bearers of this name are either members of aristocratic Judean families or named in memory of culturally valued attributes ('peace'). The semantic content of 'peace' is rarely foregrounded in narrative context—here it identifies an individual rather than assigning virtue or meaning. Contrasts with native Greek names, which typically have idiosyncratic compounds or direct semantic value for speakers. In the Septuagint, the name appears where the Hebrew source has related forms (e.g., שְׁלוֹמִית in Leviticus 24:11). New Testament use reflects the name’s continued popularity among Judeans, distinct from non-Semitic Greek contexts. Later Christian tradition sometimes confuses or merges Gospel 'Salomes' with other named women; the Greek, however, indicates a particular individual, not a type or symbolic figure.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably of Hebrew origin (feminine from שָׁלוֹם); Salome (i.e. Shelomah), an Israelitess:--Salome.
Root Family
Σαλωμ- (Salṓmē) — name, peace (etymologically)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4539-01 |
Σαλώμη | salome | N NOM F SG |
Salome | Salome | Salome | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4539-01 |
Mark 15:40 | Σαλώμη | salome | N NOM F SG |
Salome | Salome | Salome |
G4539-01 |
Mark 16:1 | Σαλώμη | salome | N NOM F SG |
Salome | Salome | Salome |