שְׁלָם

From the study of Daniel 6:25

Range of meaning

The Aramaic counterpart of Hebrew shalom. Its range covers welfare, well-being, safety, health, prosperity, intact relationships and the absence of hostility. In letters it is the fixed greeting word: 'peace/welfare to you'.

Against the English

KJV, WEB and ESV say 'peace', which keeps the formula but can sound like just 'no war' or 'inner calm'. BSB has 'prosperity' and NIV 'may you prosper greatly', which catch the material and social side but can sound only financial. NLT's 'peace and prosperity' tries to hold both halves.

How it drifted

Modern English 'peace' has narrowed toward two senses: a state of no conflict, or a private emotional calm. The ancient word was wider and more concrete. It meant everything being well with you: your household, your health, your goods, your standing.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ezra 4:17 (Artaxerxes' reply opens 'Peace', shelām) and Ezra 5:7 (to Darius the king, 'all peace', shelāmā' kollā') show it as the official letter greeting in Persian-period Aramaic. The Elephantine papyri from Persian-period Egypt open letters with formulas such as 'May the God of Heaven seek after the welfare (šlm) of our lord abundantly at all times' (the petition to Bagohi, TAD A4.7). Daniel 3:31 (English 4:1) has Nebuchadnezzar's identical greeting.

From the study of Daniel 4:1

Range of meaning

The Aramaic counterpart of Hebrew šālôm. It covers well-being, welfare, safety, health, prosperity, and the soundness of a person, household or realm. In letters it is the standard greeting, much like 'greetings and best wishes,' but with real content: a wish that things go well for you in every way.

Against the English

KJV, WEB and ESV have 'peace.' BSB has 'prosperity.' NIV turns the line into 'may you prosper greatly.' NASB has 'may your peace abound.' NLT pairs the two: 'peace and prosperity.' 'Peace' keeps the old biblical word and its echo in the New Testament. 'Prosperity' picks up the welfare sense but can sound purely financial.

How it drifted

Modern English 'peace' has narrowed to two meanings: no war, or inner calm. The ancient word was a wider greeting-wish for total well-being. In this verse it is closer to 'may all go well with you' than to tranquility.

Used elsewhere in the period

Aramaic letters of the Persian period open the same way. Ezra 4:17 ('šəlām'), Ezra 5:7 ('to Darius the king, all welfare'), and Daniel 6:25 (6:26 in Aramaic Bibles) repeat this verse's formula word for word, from King Darius. The Elephantine papyri (5th-century BC Jewish letters from Egypt) wish the recipient's welfare 'abundantly at all times.' Theodotion's Greek renders the formula eirēnē hymin plēthyntheiē, 'peace be multiplied to you,' and the same Greek wording opens 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Peter 1:2 and Jude 2.