### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **shalmôn**, represented by `{{H8021}}`, means a **bribe** or **reward**. It appears only **1 time** in a single verse in scripture, making its specific context highly significant. The term is derived from a root suggesting payment, but in its sole usage, it carries a negative connotation of corrupt gain.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single appearance of `{{H8021}}` is in [[Isaiah 1:23]], within a severe indictment of Judah's leaders. The prophet declares, "Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after **rewards**." The pursuit of these **rewards** is directly contrasted with their failure to provide justice, as "they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them" [[Isaiah 1:23]]. This places the word squarely in a context of social injustice and leadership failure, where personal enrichment comes at the expense of the vulnerable.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words in the same passage illuminate the meaning of **shalmôn**:
* `{{H7810}}` **shachad** (bribe, gift): Used in parallel with **shalmôn**, this word refers to a donation or gift, often with a venal purpose. In [[Isaiah 1:23]], the leaders are described as loving these **gifts**, reinforcing the theme of corruption.
* `{{H5637}}` **çârar** (rebellious, stubborn): This term describes the character of the princes who seek rewards. It means to turn away or be morally refractory, showing that their greed is a symptom of a deeper rebellion against divine standards [[Isaiah 1:23]].
* `{{H7291}}` **râdaph** (follow after, pursue): This word denotes the active, and often hostile, chase for these rewards. The leaders are not passive recipients but are actively pursuing dishonest gain [[Isaiah 1:23]].
* `{{H8199}}` **shâphaṭ** (to judge, govern): The pursuit of rewards is explicitly linked to the failure to **judge** the fatherless. This highlights the core duty that is being abandoned in the chase for personal profit [[Isaiah 1:23]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H8021}}` is concentrated in its singular, powerful usage. It illustrates several critical principles:
* **Corruption of Authority:** The word is aimed directly at the "princes," showing how the pursuit of illicit **rewards** perverts the God-given responsibility of leadership [[Isaiah 1:23]].
* **Injustice as a Consequence of Greed:** The desire for **rewards** is not a private vice but has public consequences, leading directly to the neglect and oppression of the fatherless and the widow.
* **Rebellion Against Divine Law:** Seeking such rewards is portrayed as an act of being **rebellious** `{{H5637}}`. This is a moral failure that goes against God's commands to care for the vulnerable and execute justice [[Isaiah 1:17]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H8021}}` **shalmôn**, while extremely rare, serves as a potent term for a corrupt **reward** or **bribe**. Its sole appearance in [[Isaiah 1:23]] frames it as a symbol of systemic injustice, where leaders abandon their sacred duty to govern righteously. The word is a stark reminder that the pursuit of personal gain at the expense of justice is an act of rebellion that harms the most defenseless in society.
TRV