שָׁלֵו
𐤔𐤋𐤅
shâlêv
H7961 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primarily denotes being at ease, in a state of tranquility, or undisturbed prosperity, often with the nuance of a secure, untroubled existence. The term may imply both the positive sense of peace and the potentially negative aspect of complacency or false security, depending on context.
Semantic Range
tranquil, undisturbed, at ease, secure, living in prosperity, complacent, indifferent, quiet, wealthy
Root / Etymology
From the root שָׁלָה (sh-l-h), which at the root level conveys the sense of being at ease, relaxing, or being at rest. שָׁלֵו is an adjectival form, characterizing a state or condition of tranquility, security, or calm prosperity. The lexical meaning may differ from the root's full semantic field by implying a settled or undisturbed condition, rather than merely being at rest.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, שָׁלֵו is used to describe individuals, peoples, or periods as undisturbed or prosperous (e.g., Job 16:12; Psalm 73:12; Jeremiah 49:31). In some contexts, particularly wisdom literature (e.g., Job), it may carry an undertone of complacency, suggesting a state of comfort that could foster neglect or moral insensitivity. This serves as a nuanced contrast to expressions for active peace (שלום, shalom) or rest (מנוחה, menuchah). In later Hebrew and Aramaic, the term retains its basic sense of security or ease, but may appear less frequently. English translations sometimes render the word simply as 'at ease' or 'prosperous,' but these may not capture the underlying nuance of possible spiritual or ethical complacency in certain contexts. Notably, the term should be distinguished from broader concepts of communal peace (שָׁלוֹם, shalom) or cessation from labor (נוּחַ, nuach).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or שָׁלֵיו; feminine שְׁלֵוָה; from שָׁלָה; tranquil; (in a bad sense) careless; abstractly, security; (being) at ease, peaceable, (in) prosper(-ity), quiet(-ness), wealthy.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שלה (sh-l-h) — to be at ease, to relax, to be undisturbed
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7887 | שִׁילֹה | in Shiloh |
| H7944 | שַׁל | the careless misstep |
| H7951 | שָׁלָה | I was at ease |
| H7952 | שָׁלָה | may you become complacent |
| H7953 | שָׁלָה | he will draw out |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7961-01 |
שָׁלֵ֣ו | shalev | HAamsa |
at ease | at-ease | 3 |
H7961-03 |
וּ/שְׁלֵוָ֔ה | ushelevah | HC/Aafsa |
and peaceful | and tranquil-at-ease | 2 |
H7961-04 |
וְ/שַׁלְוֵ֥י | veshalevey | HC/Aampc |
and at ease | and at-ease ones | 1 |
H7961-05 |
וְ/שָׁלֵֽיו | veshaleyv | HC/Aamsa |
and quiet | and at ease | 1 |
H7961-02 |
שְׁלֵ֛יו | sheleyv | HAamsa |
at ease | at-ease | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7961-02 |
Jeremiah 49:31 | שְׁלֵ֛יו | sheleyv | HAamsa |
at ease | at-ease |
H7961-01 |
Ezekiel 23:42 | שָׁלֵ֣ו | shalev | HAamsa |
carefree | at-ease |
H7961-03 |
Zechariah 7:7 | וּ/שְׁלֵוָ֔ה | ushelevah | HC/Aafsa |
and prosperous | and tranquil-at-ease |
H7961-04 |
Psalms 73:12 | וְ/שַׁלְוֵ֥י | veshalevey | HC/Aampc |
and at ease | and at-ease ones |
H7961-01 |
Job 16:12 | שָׁ֘לֵ֤ו | shalev | HAamsa |
at ease | at-ease |
H7961-01 |
Job 20:20 | שָׁלֵ֣ו | shalev | HAamsa |
quietness | at-ease |
H7961-05 |
Job 21:23 | וְ/שָׁלֵֽיו | veshaleyv | HC/Aamsa |
and quiet | and at ease |
H7961-03 |
1 Chronicles 4:40 | וּ/שְׁלֵוָ֑ה | ushelevah | HC/Aafsa |
and peaceful | and tranquil-at-ease |