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שָׁלָה

𐤔𐤋𐤄

shâlâh

H7951 verb

SILEX Entry

Root שלה to be at ease, to be tranquil, to be secure, to be complacent

Definition

To be at ease, to live in a state of tranquility or security, often with implications of being free from trouble or anxiety. The verb שָׁלָה can also refer to a sense of complacency or self-assured confidence, especially in situations where concern or vigilance might be more appropriate. While it primarily denotes positive tranquility or prosperity, in certain contexts it carries a nuance of unwarranted self-confidence or lack of awareness of impending danger.

Semantic Range

be at ease, be tranquil, dwell in security, live in comfort or prosperity, be complacent, feel unconcerned, act self-assured or heedless

Root / Etymology

From the root שׁלה, which fundamentally denotes 'to be at rest, to be at ease.' This root gives rise to verbs and nouns related to security, tranquility, and contentment. The form שָׁלָה is a Qal verb, directly reflecting the sense of entering or experiencing a state of ease or security. It is distantly related in sense to the root שלם ('to be whole, complete'), though the form and nuance differ.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb שָׁלָה is used in various contexts—sometimes positively, to describe those enjoying peace, prosperity, or divine security (e.g., Psalm 122:6), and sometimes negatively, to denote complacency or heedlessness (e.g., Ezekiel 23:42; Amos 6:1). In some exilic and post-exilic texts, the term acquires a critical tone, warning against those who are self-satisfied while oblivious to judgment or disaster. The closely related form שָׁלַו (H7951b, e.g., Job 3:26) appears in poetic books with much the same sense. Standard English translations often render the term as 'at ease,' 'secure,' 'prosperous,' or 'carefree,' but these do not always capture the possible pejorative nuance of unwarranted complacency present in prophetic or wisdom literature. The verb is distinct from שלם, which emphasizes completeness or wholeness rather than emotional or situational ease. Usage spans early monarchic to late prophetic periods, with little semantic shift but some evolution of the term's connotation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or שָׁלַו; (Job 3:26), a primitive root; to be tranquil, i.e. secure or successful; be happy, prosper, be in safety.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שלה (sh-l-h) — ease, tranquility, security, complacency

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7887 שִׁילֹה in Shiloh
H7944 שַׁל the careless misstep
H7952 שָׁלָה may you become complacent
H7953 שָׁלָה he will draw out
H7954 שְׁלָה at ease

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7951-02 שָׁל֖וּ shalu HVqp3cp are at ease they were at ease 2
H7951-03 יִ֝שְׁלָ֗יוּ yishelayu HVqi3mp are at peace they will be at ease 2
H7951-01 שָׁלַ֨וְתִּי shalaveti HVqp1cs I was at ease I was at ease 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7951-02 Jeremiah 12:1 שָׁל֖וּ shalu HVqp3cp are at ease they were at ease
H7951-03 Psalms 122:6 יִ֝שְׁלָ֗יוּ yishelayu HVqi3mp be-at-peace they will be at ease
H7951-01 Job 3:26 שָׁלַ֨וְתִּי shalaveti HVqp1cs I was at ease I was at ease
H7951-03 Job 12:6 יִשְׁלָ֤יוּ yishelayu HVqi3mp are at peace they will be at ease
H7951-02 Lamentations 1:5 שָׁל֔וּ shalu HVqp3cp are at ease they were at ease
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