The meaning of the word "Shalom"
The Hebrew word SHALOM is understood around the world to mean peace. But peace is only one small part of the meaning of the word SHALOM. In Israel, even though they don't have much in the way of peace, they use the word SHALOM on a daily basis. They use it to greet people with, and use it to bid farewell to people. However, SHALOM means much more than peace, hello or goodbye.
Strong's Concordance 7965 - Hebrew Shalom .....
A word study in the New King James version for SHALOM says:
Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.
Shalom comes from the root verb Shalom meaning to be complete, perfect and full. In modern Hebrew the obviously related word Shelem means to pay for, and Shulam means to be fully paid.
Sar SHALOM (Prince of Peace) is one of the descriptive names the Bible uses to indicate the ministry and personality of the Messiah: Isaiah 9:6 - The Son of God is completely perfect in all things.
So in essence, when you speak out the word SHALOM - you are not only proclaiming peace, but all the above meanings of the word over that person - that's a mighty blessing!!!
Remember what the word of God says - "there is life or death in the power of the tongue".
We recently heard someone on a Christian TV program say: "No wonder the Jewish people are so blessed, because every time they say Shalom to one another, they are also allowing the full meaning (see above) of SHALOM to be pronounced over them. He humorously proceeded to say that this greeting word would be much more beneficial to the American people if they greeted each other with SHALOM instead of their usual "Hi" or "Howdy" greeting. As Josie and I adapted to life in Israel, we adapted to the SHALOM habit over the "Hi" habit....As Messianic Jews, we are called to bless you and we take that very seriously, by praying for you and by greeting you with SHALOM. Therefore, from now on, when we or someone says SHALOM to you, you should receive it as a tremendous blessing. And bless them back with a hearty SHALOM!"
Numbers 6:24-26:
Meaning of Eden
Bible. The garden of God and the first home of Adam and Eve. Also called Garden of Eden.
A delightful place; a paradise.
A state of innocence, bliss, or ultimate happiness.
Garden of Eden,
The beautiful garden containing the tree of life, where God intended Adam and Eve to live in peaceful and contented innocence, effortlessly reaping the fruits of the Earth. The garden also contained the tree of knowledge of good and evil, from which Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat. When they disobeyed and ate the forbidden fruit, God drove them from the garden. Their sin and consequent loss of God's grace and of their paradise is known as the Fall of Man.
· Figuratively, a “Garden of Eden” (sometimes simply “the Garden,” or “Eden”) is any state or place of complete peace and happiness.