Priestly Blessing (5): Shalom

"...the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and grant you peace." Numbers 6:26 (ESV)

Yisa YHVH (Adonai) panav elecha viyasem lecha shalom.

The Hebrew verb "sum" in this verse is usually translated as "grant" or "give." Its primary meaning, however, is "put, place, set." Do you sense the difference? It is used in reference to God putting man in the Garden of Eden (Gen.2:8), it is used in God setting a mark on Cain (Gen. 4:15), and Abraham laying wood on Isaac (Gen. 22:6).

So peace is not just handed to us--it is placed upon us, we are marked with it. But what does “peace” mean? Many of us are used to thinking that peace is the absence of strife or war, and the Hebrew word shalom is just a greeting akin to “(Have a) good day,” but this understanding is limited. Shalom means wholeness, completion, and well-being in all aspects of life-- physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. It means not owning anyone anything and having no one own anything to you. Used as a greeting, it means, “May you be well, whole, and complete.”

How is it possible? Through Christ, who is called Sar Shalom, Prince of Peace. He paid our debts, set us free, and restored our wholeness. Now we must do the same. Pay off your debts and forgive the debts of others. Receiving blessing, pass it on. Do not hurt anyone with your thoughts, words, or actions, and if you do, seek forgiveness. Do not hold any grudge, forgive and "love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Mat. 5:44).

This is shalom.