Defintion: Jehovah Shalom

The name Jehovah Shalom is one of the many compound names for God found in the Hebrew Bible, and it uniquely expresses the character of God in relation to peace. This name is derived from the Hebrew root word “Shalom,” which is commonly translated as “peace,” but encompasses a much broader concept including wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare, and tranquility.

Jehovah Shalom is revealed in the book of Judges, chapter 6, during a time of great turmoil and oppression for the Israelites. Gideon, who would become one of Israel’s judges and a deliverer, encounters the angel of the Lord and is commissioned to save Israel from the Midianites. After this encounter, fearing for his life, Gideon is reassured by God with the words, “Peace be to you; do not fear, you shall not die.” In response, Gideon builds an altar to the Lord and names it Jehovah Shalom, which means “The Lord is Peace” (Judges 6:24).

This name of God, Jehovah Shalom, signifies that God does not merely bring peace, rather He Himself is peace. Thus, when one is in the presence of Jehovah Shalom, they are in the presence of peace. It is a reminder that in times of distress, chaos, or conflict, God’s very nature and presence bring the assurance of peace that surpasses all understanding. It speaks to the rest and reassurance found in God’s sovereignty and the divine promise of peace that prevails through all circumstances.