English · KJV
H7951

שָׁלָה

shâlâh /shaw-law'/ Ask about this word
Rootor שָׁלַו
Meaning(Job 3:26), a primitive root; to be tranquil, i.e. secure or successful
KJV usagebe happy, prosper, be in safety.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shâlâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word shâlâh, represented by H7951, is a primitive root that means to be tranquil, secure, or successful. Its definition includes concepts like being happy, prospering, and being in safety. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible, often highlighting a state of ease and prosperity.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H7951 is frequently used in the context of questioning why the wicked seem to thrive. Jeremiah asks why the treacherous are happy Jeremiah 12:1, and Job observes that the "tabernacles of robbers prosper" Job 12:6. Similarly, Lamentations notes that Jerusalem's enemies prosper as a consequence of her transgressions Lamentations 1:5. Conversely, it is also presented as a blessing for the righteous, with the promise that those who love Jerusalem "shall prosper" Psalms 122:6. In a personal lament, Job uses the word in a negative sense, stating, "I was not in safety," to describe his loss of tranquility Job 3:26.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the dimensions of tranquility and success associated with H7951:

  • H6743 tsâlach (to push forward, prosper): This word is often used to describe success and is seen in parallel with H7951 when questioning why the way of the wicked appears to prosper Jeremiah 12:1.
  • H7965 shâlôwm (welfare, prosperity, peace): This term for well-being and peace is directly linked to the blessing of prosperity, as seen in the call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem so that its lovers may prosper Psalms 122:6.
  • H8252 shâqaṭ (to repose, be quiet, rest): This word for quietness is used alongside H7951 in Job's lament. He states he was not in safety and had no rest, illustrating that the loss of one is tied to the loss of the other Job 3:26.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H7951 is tied to the biblical examination of prosperity and justice.

  • The Problem of Evil: The word is central to the question of why the wicked are allowed to be happy or prosper. This is a significant theological dilemma raised in Jeremiah and Job, challenging a simple understanding of divine retribution (Jeremiah 12:1, Job 12:6).
  • Conditional Blessing: Prosperity is not arbitrary; it is presented as a divine blessing conditioned on right attitudes and actions. The promise that those who love Jerusalem shall prosper ties this state of well-being to faithfulness and prayer Psalms 122:6.
  • A State of Security: As seen in Job's experience, H7951 represents a state of safety and tranquility that is precious and can be lost. Its absence, coupled with a lack of rest, defines a state of deep trouble and affliction Job 3:26.

Summary

In summary, H7951 encapsulates a state of tranquility, happiness, and prosperity. It serves a dual role in scripture, functioning both as a divine blessing for the faithful and as a focal point for the profound theological question of why the wicked often seem secure and successful. Through its occurrences, shâlâh highlights the complex relationship between righteousness, security, and God's sovereignty.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 6 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יִשְׁלָיוּ
  • שָׁלוּ
  • תִּשָּׁלוּ
  • שָׁלַוְתִּי

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H6743 צָלַח or צָלֵחַ; a primitive root; to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive); bre H7965 שָׁלוֹם or שָׁלֹם; from שָׁלַם; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosper H8252 שָׁקַט a primitive root; to repose (usually figurative); appease, idleness, (at, be at, be in, give) quiet(-ness), (be at, be i

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 5 verses across 4 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Job (2 verses); never once in the other 35.

2
Job
1
Psalms
1
Jeremiah
1
Lamentations

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.