The Shalom PathSample

Shalom is Welfare, Health, and Prosperity

Shalom means “welfare,” “health,” and “prosperity.” This third aspect is twofold. First, it is a statement regarding general welfare. It signifies whether one is “OK” or not. Shalom is found twice in Genesis 43:27. The New International Version reads: “He asked them how they were, and then he said, ‘How is your aged father you told me about?’ ” In Jeremiah 38:4 “the good of these people” is their peace and their shalom. In this definition, shalom is equivalent to the American English greeting, “How are you doing?” Or “Are you well?”

Secondly, this aspect hints more directly at physical health and wellness. For example, in Genesis 29:6 Jacob asks of Laban, “Is he well?” i.e., is he “in shalom”? In II Samuel 18:28 is the greeting, “All is well!” The context of II Kings 4:26 is the Shunnamite’s son being restored to life. Gehazi used shalom four times as he inquired about the whole family.