Hebrew Nuggets, Lesson 16: Shalom (Part 2)

Revised: 29-Sept.-2015

The word shalom appears in the Hebrew Scriptures 226 times, yet we find it nowhere in English translations of the Bible. It is never simply transliterated as “shalom,” but is always translated by English equivalents such as “peace.” Today, however, shalom has become an international word.

In addition to the many sides of shalom we mentioned previously, every visitor to Israel quickly learns two further uses of the word. In modern Hebrew, “Shalom” has become the way to say both “Hello” and “Goodbye,” thus, Israelis bless one another with shalom when they meet and when they part.