or שָׁלֵיו; feminine שְׁלֵוָה; from שָׁלָה; tranquil; (in a bad sense) careless; abstractly, security; (being) at ease, peaceable, (in) prosper(-ity), quiet(-ness), wealthy.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **shâlêv**, represented by `{{H7961}}`, describes a state of tranquility and ease. It appears 8 times across 8 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning can be positive, signifying peace, quietness, and prosperity, but it can also carry a negative connotation of being careless or living in a false sense of security.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{H7961}}` illustrates a spectrum of conditions. On one hand, it describes a desirable state, such as when the land found by the Israelites was "quiet, and **peaceable**" [[1 Chronicles 4:40]]. It also depicts Jerusalem in its former state of **prosperity** [[Zechariah 7:7]]. On the other hand, it often characterizes a dangerous complacency. Job laments, "I was **at ease**, but he hath broken me asunder" [[Job 16:12]], showing that this state can be fragile. Similarly, it is used to describe the ungodly who **prosper** in the world [[Psalms 73:12]] and a "wealthy nation" [[Jeremiah 49:31]] that dwells without a care, implying a prideful security ripe for judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the meaning of `{{H7961}}`:
* `{{H7946}}` **shalʼănân** (tranquil; being at ease): This word appears alongside `{{H7961}}` in the description of a man who dies "wholly **at ease** and quiet" [[Job 21:23]], reinforcing the idea of a state of undisturbed calm.
* `{{H8252}}` **shâqaṭ** (to repose... quiet(-ness), rest): This term is used to describe the land as being "**quiet** and peaceable" [[1 Chronicles 4:40]], linking the concept of tranquility directly with the peaceable state of `{{H7961}}`.
* `{{H983}}` **beṭach** (safety, security, assurance): Used in the description of the wealthy nation that "dwelleth without **care**" [[Jeremiah 49:31]], this word highlights the sense of security—whether true or false—that often accompanies the state of being at ease.
* `{{H3427}}` **yâshab** (to sit down... to dwell, to remain): This word frequently appears in verses with `{{H7961}}`, connecting the state of peace or prosperity to the act of dwelling in a place, as when Jerusalem was "**inhabited** and in prosperity" [[Zechariah 7:7]].
### Theological Significance
The theological implications of `{{H7961}}` are centered on the nature of peace and prosperity.
* **The Duality of Ease:** The word teaches that prosperity can be either a blessing or a curse. It can be a feature of a peaceful land [[1 Chronicles 4:40]], but it can also describe the worldly success of the ungodly [[Psalms 73:12]] or the careless security of a nation facing judgment [[Jeremiah 49:31]].
* **A Temporary State:** Job's experience shows that being "at ease" is a condition, not a permanent guarantee of safety from hardship [[Job 16:12]]. It underscores that human security is often fragile.
* **Prosperity and Heeding God's Word:** In Zechariah, the memory of Jerusalem's past **prosperity** `{{H7961}}` is tied to the call to hear the words of the prophets [[Zechariah 7:7]], suggesting that true, lasting peace is connected to obedience to God.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H7961}}` is a multifaceted term that moves beyond a simple definition of peace. It serves as both a description of a blessed, tranquil state and a potent warning against the dangers of careless, worldly security. The word distinguishes between a divinely granted peace and a self-reliant ease that can precede a fall, reminding the reader to examine the foundation of their own prosperity.
TRV