שֶׁלֶם
𐤔𐤋𐤌
shelem
H8002 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A sacrifice characterized by peaceful or harmonious relationship, especially between the offerer, the deity, and sometimes the community; a 'peace offering' or 'offering of well-being.' The term denotes a specific class of sacrificial offering distinguished primarily by its inclusive, communal aspect and the sharing of portions among priests and/or the offerer. In certain contexts, emphasizes a motive of thanksgiving, fulfillment of vows, or free-will devotion rather than atonement for wrongdoing.
Semantic Range
sacrifice of well-being, peace offering, offering of harmony, communal sacrifice, offering of thanksgiving, offering for fulfillment of a vow, voluntary offering
Root / Etymology
From the root שׁלם (shalem), meaning 'to be complete, be whole, be at peace.' The noun שֶׁלֶם (shelem) is a nominal formation indicating the state or product of completion or well-being; in its cultic usage, it designates an offering connected with concepts of wholeness, harmony, or peace.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The שֶׁלֶם is widely attested in the Priestly writings (especially Leviticus 3; 7:11–21), where it refers to sacrifices brought both for thanksgiving and for fulfillment of vows or free will expressions. Unlike the עֹלָה ('burnt offering'), the שֶׁלֶם was partially consumed by the altar fire, with most parts eaten communally by the offerer and their guests, including priests—a mark of restored or celebrated harmony. In later periods, the scope of the practice and the terminology's associations narrowed as Temple ritual evolved. English translations as 'peace offering' reflect the notion of restored relations but can miss the social and covenantal dimensions of the rite. Not to be confused with general terms for 'peace' (שָׁלוֹם, shalom) or broader words for 'sacrifice' (זֶבַח, zevach). The Greek Septuagint often renders שֶׁלֶם as θυσία σωτηρίου ('sacrifice of salvation') or similar terms, and later traditions sometimes conflate this with 'thank offering.' Use in non-ritual contexts is rare.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁלַם; properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks; peace offering.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׁלם (š-l-m) — completeness, wholeness, peace, well-being
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4918 | מְשֻׁלָּם | Recompensed one |
| H4920 | מְשֶׁלֶמְיָה | Yah has made whole |
| H7759 | שׁוּלַמִּית | the Peaceful Woman |
| H7965 | שָׁלוֹם | in the wholeness |
| H7966 | שִׁלּוּם | in the restitution-payment |
Word Forms
14 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8002-01 |
הַ/שְּׁלָמִ֔ים | hashelamim | HTd/Ncmpa |
of the peace offerings | the well-being offerings | 35 |
H8002-08 |
שְׁלָמִ֛ים | shelamim | HNcmpa |
peace offerings | well-being offerings | 20 |
H8002-06 |
שְׁלָמָֽי/ו | shelamayv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
his peace offerings | his wholeness-offerings | 7 |
H8002-10 |
וּ/שְׁלָמִ֖ים | ushelamim | HC/Ncmpa |
and peace offerings | well-being offerings | 7 |
H8002-12 |
וְ/הַ/שְּׁלָמִֽים | vehashelamim | HC/Td/Ncmpa |
and the peace offerings | and the well-being offerings | 4 |
H8002-05 |
שַׁלְמֵי/כֶֽם | shalemeykhem | HNcmpc/Sp2mp |
of your peace offerings | your well-being offerings | 3 |
H8002-13 |
וְ/לִ/שְׁלָמִ֑ים | velishelamim | HC/R/Ncmpa |
and for peace offerings | and for wholeness-offerings | 2 |
H8002-02 |
לִ/שְׁלָמִ֗ים | lishelamim | HR/Ncmpa |
for peace offerings | for well-being offerings | 2 |
H8002-04 |
שַׁלְמֵי/הֶ֔ם | shalemeyhem | HNcmpc/Sp3mp |
of their peace offerings | their well-being offerings | 2 |
H8002-14 |
וְ/שֶׁ֥לֶם | veshelem | HC/Ncmsc |
and peace | and well-being offering of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
87 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8002-07 |
Exodus 20:24 | שְׁלָמֶ֔י/ךָ | shelameykha | HNcmpc/Sp2ms |
your peace offerings | your well-being offerings |
H8002-08 |
Exodus 24:5 | שְׁלָמִ֛ים | shelamim | HNcmpa |
peace offerings | well-being offerings |
H8002-04 |
Exodus 29:28 | שַׁלְמֵי/הֶ֔ם | shalemeyhem | HNcmpc/Sp3mp |
of their peace offerings | their well-being offerings |
H8002-08 |
Exodus 32:6 | שְׁלָמִ֑ים | shelamim | HNcmpa |
peace offerings | well-being offerings |
H8002-08 |
Leviticus 3:1 | שְׁלָמִ֖ים | shelamim | HNcmpa |
of peace offerings | well-being offerings |
H8002-01 |
Leviticus 3:3 | הַ/שְּׁלָמִ֔ים | hashelamim | HTd/Ncmpa |
of the peace offerings | the well-being offerings |
H8002-08 |
Leviticus 3:6 | שְׁלָמִ֖ים | shelamim | HNcmpa |
of peace offerings | well-being offerings |
H8002-01 |
Leviticus 3:9 | הַ/שְּׁלָמִים֮ | hashelamim | HTd/Ncmpa |
of the peace offerings | the well-being offerings |
H8002-01 |
Leviticus 4:10 | הַ/שְּׁלָמִ֑ים | hashelamim | HTd/Ncmpa |
of peace offerings | the well-being offerings |
H8002-01 |
Leviticus 4:26 | הַ/שְּׁלָמִ֑ים | hashelamim | HTd/Ncmpa |
of-the-peace-offerings | the well-being offerings |