UNFOLDED #4 – SHALOM

One Hebrew word that turns peace into wholeness—3‐minute read + quick practice.

Author

christopher Drei
June 16, 2025

In partnership with

Today’s Menu 🍞

  • Word Brief – what shalom really means

  • Verse Spotlight – 3 key passages

  • Why It Matters – everyday impact

  • 60‑Second Practice – live it today

Read Time: 3 Minutes

1 · Word Snapshot 🎯

שָׁלוֹם / shālōm (pronounced sha‑LOHM) is the Hebrew noun for peace, harmony, prosperity, well‑being.

Root: שׁ‑ל‑ם (sh‑l‑m) “to be whole, complete,”
Literally: everything in the right place, nothing missing, nothing broken.

Appears in the Hebrew Old Testament ≈ 237 times (noun).
Verb שָׁלַם / shālam (“make whole, repay”) shows up 116 times.

In everyday Hebrew it covered health, safety, prosperity, even friendship.
The prophets then used shalom for God’s dream of total restoration.

Plain English: shalom is life working the way God meant it to.

2 · Verse Spotlight 📖

“…and give you שָׁלוֹם.” — Numbers 6 : 26
The priestly blessing: peace as God’s face shining on you.

“You keep him in perfect peace (שָׁלוֹם) whose mind is stayed on you.” — Isaiah 26 : 3

“He himself will be our peace (שָׁלוֹם).” — Micah 5 : 5

Pro tip: in Hebrew, shalom is an outcome and a Person… look for both in every passage.

3 · Why It Matters Today ✨

  • Seek wholeness, not just calm – solving the outer issue without the heart still leaves unrest.

  • Build peace proactively – shalom is something you make (Ps 34:14), not wait for.

  • Let Jesus be your peace – the Messiah is our shālōm (Eph 2:14), even when circumstances aren’t.

These moves swap fragile “chill” for durable wholeness.

4 · 60‑Second Practice ⏱️

  1. Scan your life‑grid. Pick one area—body, mind, work, relationships—that feels fractured.

  2. Name God’s intent. Ask, “What would shalom look like here?” Write one sentence.

  3. Start a 1‑step repair. Send an apology, schedule rest, tidy a space—any act that moves toward wholeness today.

Free Resources 📚

  1. Need extra help? Download our free PDF tools:

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