The Aramaic word shᵉlâm, represented by H8001, corresponds to the concept of prosperity and peace. It is a specific term that appears 4 times in the Bible across 4 unique verses, primarily in contexts of official communication.
In the biblical narrative, H8001 is consistently used as a formal greeting or salutation within royal decrees and letters. It is a declaration of peace extended from a king to his subjects or officials. For instance, both King Nebuchadnezzar and King Darius use the exact phrase "Peace be multiplied unto you" to begin their proclamations to all people, nations, and languages (Daniel 4:1, Daniel 6:25). Similarly, it is used as a salutation in a letter sent to King Darius Ezra 5:7 and in an answer sent from a king to his officials in Samaria Ezra 4:17.
One key related word is often paired directly with shᵉlâm:
- H7680 sᵉgâʼ (to increase; grow, be multiplied): This term is used to amplify the blessing of peace in the royal decrees of Daniel. The wish is not just for peace, but for peace that will "be multiplied" (Daniel 4:1, Daniel 6:25), indicating a desire for abundant and growing prosperity and stability within the kingdom.
The significance of H8001 is centered on its use in the context of governance and authority.
- Royal Salutation: The term functions as a formal, authoritative pronouncement of well-wishing. It is a word of statecraft, used by powerful kings like Nebuchadnezzar and Darius to establish a tone of goodwill in official communications.
- A Wish for Stability: By wishing peace upon "all people, nations, and languages" (Daniel 4:1, Daniel 6:25), the rulers express a desire for order and prosperity throughout their vast domains.
- Formal Correspondence: Its use in Ezra demonstrates that it was a standard and respectful greeting for official letters directed to or from the king, establishing a protocol of peace (Ezra 4:17, Ezra 5:7).
In summary, H8001 is a specialized Aramaic term for peace reserved for high-level, official correspondence. Its usage is exclusively tied to the letters and decrees of kings. The word signifies a formal bestowal of peace and prosperity, often amplified with the hope that this peace would be multiplied, reinforcing the king's role as the guarantor of order and well-being for all people under his rule.
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