📖 Biblical Definition
YHWH-Shalom (יְהוָה שָׁלוֹם) — "the LORD our peace" — is the covenant name Gideon gave the altar he built after the Angel of the LORD appeared to him at Ophrah and reassured him: "Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovah-shalom" (Judges 6:23-24). The name declares not merely that the LORD gives peace but that He is peace — the substance, not only the source. Paul echoes it in Ephesians 2:14: "For he is our peace, who hath made both one." Christ is the incarnate YHWH-Shalom; in Him hostility ceases — between sinner and God, between Jew and Gentile, between brothers.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
The LORD Is Peace — named by Gideon at Ophrah.
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The compound covenant name pronounced by Gideon at the altar in Ophrah after the Angel of the LORD departed in fire, leaving Gideon alive when he had expected to die. YHWH Himself is peace; biblical shalom is wholeness, completeness, settled welfare — not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of God-with-us in saving relationship.
📖 Key Scripture
Judges 6:24 — "Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites."
Ephesians 2:14 — "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us."
Isaiah 9:6 — "And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Reduced to inner-emotional calm rather than the covenantal wholeness Scripture means by shalom.
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Modern usage equates peace with feeling-calm. Biblical shalom is wholeness, restored relationship, settled welfare in covenant with God. YHWH-Shalom is not a stress-management tool; He is the substance of right-with-God peace.
Recover the depth: Christ is our peace (Eph 2:14) not because He calms our nerves but because He has reconciled us to the Father. Inner calm follows; it does not constitute the gift.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Yahweh + shalom.
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['Hebrew', 'H3068', 'Yahweh', 'the covenant name']
['Hebrew', 'H7965', 'shalom', 'peace, wholeness, welfare']
Usage
"Christ Himself is our peace."
"Shalom is wholeness, not just calm."
"Gideon built an altar; we build a life."