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שַׁלְמֹן

𐤔𐤋𐤌𐤍

shalmôn

H8021 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שׁלם to make whole, complete, pay, reward

Definition

A bribe, gift given with intent to influence a decision, most commonly in judicial or official contexts; or a compensatory gift given to secure favorable treatment. The term generally conveys illicit or unethical exchange designed to subvert justice. In rare contexts, may refer more broadly to any gift or recompense given in expectation of reciprocal favor.

Semantic Range

bribe, illicit gift, reward given in expectation of favor, compensatory gift given to secure favorable treatment

Root / Etymology

From the root שָׁלַם (sh-l-m), which in its core meaning is 'to make whole, to complete, to pay, to reward.' שַׁלְמֹן is a noun formation derived from this root, structurally indicating a thing given to bring about settlement or completion of a matter, but in practice specialized to the notion of a bribe.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שַׁלְמֹן is an uncommon term, attested in poetic or prophetic contexts (e.g., Psalm 91:8). Its use is closely tied to social and judicial settings in ancient Israelite society, where it carries a clear negative connotation: bribery as a corrupting influence on justice and authority. The word is rare compared to שֹׁחַד (shōchad), which is the standard term for 'bribe' throughout the Hebrew Bible and legal texts. Scholars note that שַׁלְמֹן may allude more specifically to the outcome a bribe seeks — the 'completion' or closure of a dispute — whereas שֹׁחַד focuses on the object of the bribe itself. Later translations sometimes rendered this term as 'reward' or 'recompense,' but the contextual implications are almost always negative. In post-biblical Hebrew, the term did not persist, with שֹׁחַד remaining the principal word for bribe. English renderings like 'reward' may obscure the strong pejorative sense; the nuance of judicial corruption or purchase of favor is important for accurate understanding, especially given the term's poetic usage where double meanings (reward vs. wicked bribe) are sometimes present.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from שָׁלַם; a bribe; reward.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שׁלם (sh-l-m) — make whole, complete, pay, reward

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

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8021-01 שַׁלְמֹנִ֑ים shalemonim HNcmpa rewards bribe-payments 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8021-01 Isaiah 1:23 שַׁלְמֹנִ֑ים shalemonim HNcmpa rewards bribe-payments
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