Bible Lexicons

Girdlestone's Synonyms of the Old TestamentGirdlestone's OT Synonyms

Peace-Offering

The peace-offering is always Shelem, from Shalam (שׁלם , Assyrian sulmannu). It has been noticed in a previous chapter that this word has various meanings (see chap. viii.). It conveys the idea of completeness or perfection, and also of compensation, as well as that of peace. The verb is used of the payment of vows and praises to the Lord, e.g in Psalms 50:14; Psalms 56:12; Psalms 76:11; Psalms 116:14; Isaiah 19:21; Jonah 2:9; Nahum 1:15; and this fact may give a clue to the real nature of the Shelem. It was a special kind of Zevach, or sacrificial feast, occasioned by some particular event in family life which called for a thankful acknowledgment of God's goodness, and a rendering to Him what return was due and possible. It might be rendered recompense-offering. The ceremonial offering of the Zevach of the Shelem (A. V. sacrifice of the Peace-offering) was ordained by God so as to unite religious worship with the enjoyment of domestic happiness. It is remarkable that Shelem is only used in the plural. The LXX renders it by εἰρηνικὰ and θεσία σωτηρίου.