"SHALOM" IS A MIGHTY BLESSING!

Shalom is Hebrew Aramaic word for peace and commonly used as a greeting or salutation. The Muslims pronounce it salam.

⁵ When you enter a house, first say, “[Shalom] to this house[hold].” ⁶ If a man of [shalom] is there, your [greeting] will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. LUKE 10

Shalom is more than a greeting. It is more of a prayer for wholeness or completeness. In Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary, No. 7965, shalom means:

safe, i.e. (fig.) well, happy, friendly; also (abstr.) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace:--X do, familiar, X fare, favour, + friend, X greet, (good) health, (X perfect, such as be at) peace (-able, -ably), prosper (-ity, ous), rest, safe (-ly), salute, welfare, (X all is, be) well, X wholly.

The Muslims pronounce it salam. When they say As-salam alaikum! to you, they are extending a warm welcome to you and a sincere prayer for God's blessings to pour upon you. They say it with a bow and a gesture of the right palm touching the belly button (symbolic of earth), the mouth (symbolic of man, you) and the forehead (symbolic of heaven, God). In effect they are saying to you, “Your lowly servants on earth pray for the goodwill of heaven to be showered upon you!”

In our language As-salam alaikum! literally means “May the shalom of God be with you!” The common practice is to answer it with Alaikum as-salam! You bow and make a reverse gesture of your right palm touching your forehead, mouth and belly button—which are symbolic of your acceptance of their humility, welcome and prayer. Alaikum as-salam! means “May the shalom of God be also with you!”

In the Catholic mass, the priest greets everybody with “May the peace of the Lord be with you!” Actually what is meant to be said is, “May the shalom of God be with you!”

When God grants you shalom, you receive good health, soundness, fullness, well-being, prosperity, protection, safety, orderly life, harmony, serenity, tranquility (freedom from disturbance or discord), rest, joy, happiness, God’s love and favor. It comes with healing, creativity and success, too. Given this understanding, we appreciate why God came to earth and took the form of Son of Man:

²⁷ Shalom I leave you, My shalom I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. JOHN 14

⁶ For to us a Child is born… and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Shalom. ⁷ Of the increase of His government and shalom there will be no end. ISAIAH 9

The Prince of Shalom (“Sar shalom”) as Y’shua is called perfectly describes His ministry and personality.

Shalom is a mighty blessing. Next time you pray, pray for shalom. And next time you meet a neighbor, bless him by wishing him “Shalom!” Proverbs 18:21 tells us there is life and death in the power of the tongue. Therefore, as you wish him shalom, you are speaking into  his life all the wonderful things that shalom means.