Peace: Greetings (Part 3)

This is the third in a series of studies on the word peace. 


The Hebrew word for peace— shalom— is a common greeting.  The Hebrew-English Multi Dictionary in its "how to begin a conversation" and "how to end a conversation" phrases section lists six common phrases that use the word shalom.  Here they are:

• Hello – שלום – shalom
• How are you? – מה שלומך – mah shlomkha
• So long – שלום ולהתראות – shalom ulhitra'ot
• Good-bye and best wishes – שלום וברכה – shalom uvrakhah
• Good Sabbath! – שבת שלום – shabbat shalom
• Best regards to... – דרישת שלום חמה ל – drishat shalom chamah l'...
  

The Wikipedia article on shalom says that it "can be used idiomatically to mean both hello and goodbye."  The phrase shalom aleichem (שלום עליכם) is also a common expression used as a greeting.  The Aramaic word shlomo is used similarly to the Hebrew shalom.

About 40% of New Testament uses of the word peace are in a greeting (peace to you) or in a farewell (go in peace).   Shalom also carries a sense of wholeness and health.  We can see this sense in greeting words used today:

• salutation (Latin: salus, salut- = health)
  
• salute
• Farewell ("fare thee well")
• saludos (Spanish)
• saluti (Italian)

We can see examples of peace/shalom as a greeting in a number of New Testament texts.

Luke 10:5 But whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house.”
(Greek: Ειρηνη τω οικω – Eirene to oiko)
(Hebrew translation from Greek:  ‏‏שלום לבית הזה – shalom labayit hazeh)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew letters: שלמא לביתא הנא – shlomo l'bayta hana)

Luke 24:36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”
(Greek: Ειρηνη υμιν – Eirene umin)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏שלום לכם – shalom lakhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: שלמא עמכון – shlomo amkon)

John 20:19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
(Greek: Ειρηνη υμιν – Eirene umin)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏שלום לכם – shalom lakhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: שלמא עמכון – shlomo amkon)

John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
(Greek: Ειρηνη υμιν – Eirene umin)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏שלום לכם – shalom lakhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: שלמא עמכון – shlomo amkon)

John 20:26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!”
(Greek: Ειρηνη υμιν – Eirene umin)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏שלום לכם – shalom lakhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: שלמא עמכון – shlomo amkon)

Acts 15:33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
(Greek: ειρηνης – eirenes)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏בשלום – b'shalom)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: בשלמא – bashlomo)

Rom 1:7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Greek: χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη – charis umin kai eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ושלום לכם – chesed v'shalom lakhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: שלמא וטיבותא עמכון – shlomo v'tabota amkhon – the order is reversed from the Greek—peace and grace be with you)

Rom 16:8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
(Greek: ασπασασθε – aspasasthe)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏דרישת שלום – drishat shalom)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: שאלו בשלמא – shalo bashlomo – Ask for the peace of...)
(Romans 16 goes on to use the "Greet...." formula repeatedly.)

1 Cor 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Greek: χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη – charis umin kai eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ושלום לכם – chesed v'shalom lakhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: טיבותא עמכון ושלמא – tabota amkhon vashlomo)

2 Cor 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Greek: χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη – charis umin kai eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ושלום לכם – chesed v'shalom lakhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: טיבותא עמכון ושלמא – tabota amkhon vashlomo)

Gal 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
(Greek: χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη – charis umin kai eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ושלום לכם – chesed v'shalom lakhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: טיבותא עמכון ושלמא – tabota amkhon vashlomo)

Eph 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Greek: χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη – charis umin kai eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ושלום לכם – chesed v'shalom lakhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: שׁלָמָא עַמכוּן וטַיבּוּתָא – shlomo amkhon v'tabota – peace be with you and grace)

Eph 6:23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 
(Greek: Ειρηνη τοις αδελφοις – Eirene tois adelphois)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏שלום לאחים – shalom la'achim)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: שלמא עם אחין – shlomo am achan)

Phil 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Greek: χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη – charis umin kai eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ושלום לכם – chesed v'shalom lakhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: טיבותא עמכון ושלמא – tabota amkhon vashlomo)

Col 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Greek: χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη – charis umin kai eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ושלום לכם – chesed v'shalom lakhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: שלמא עמכון וטיבותא – shlomo amkhon v'tabota – peace be with you and grace)

1 Thess 1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Greek: χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη – charis umin kai eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ושלום לכם – chesed v'shalom lakhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: טיבותא עמכון ושלמא – tabota amkhon vashlomo – grace be with you and peace)

2 Thess 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Greek: χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη – charis umin kai eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ושלום לכם – chesed v'shalom lakhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: טיבותא עמכון ושלמא – tabota amkhon vashlomo)

1 Tim 1:2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Greek: χαρις, ελεος, ειρηνη – charis, eleos, eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ורחמים ושלום – chesed v'rachamim v'shalom)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: טיבותא ורחמא ושלמא – tabota v'rachme vashlomo)

2 Tim 1:2 To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.  / NASB: Grace and peace
(Greek: χαρις, ελεος, ειρηνη – charis, eleos, eirene / NA: χαρις και ειρηνη – charis kai eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ורחמים ושלום – chesed v'rachamim v'shalom)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: טיבותא ורחמא ושלמא – tabota v'rachme vashlomo)

Titus 1:4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. / NASB: Grace and peace
(Greek: χαρις, ελεος, ειρηνη – charis, eleos, eirene / NA: χαρις και ειρηνη – charis kai eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏‏חסד ושלום – chesed v'shalom)
(Peshita, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: טיבותא ושלמא – tabota vashlomo)

Titus 3:15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
(Greek: Ασπαζονται – Aspazontai / ασπασαι – aspasai)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏דורשים בשלומך – dorshim bishlomkha / ‏דרישת שלום – drishat shalom)
(Delitzsch Hebrew translation: ‏שאלים לשלומך – shalim lishlomekha / ‏שאל לשלום – sh'al lishlom)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script:שאלין בשלמכ  – shalin bashlamakh / שאל בשלמא – shal bashlomo)

Phlm 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Greek: χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη – charis umin kai eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ושלום לכם – chesed v'shalom lakhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: טיבותא עמכון ושלמא – tabota amkhon vashlomo)

1 Pet 1:2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
(Greek: χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη – charis umin kai eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ושלום – chesed v'shalom)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: טיבותא ושלמא – tabota vashlomo)

1 Pet 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
(Greek: ασπασασθε – aspasasthe / Ειρηνη υμιν πασιν – Eirene umin pasin)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏דרשו איש בשלום – dirshu ish bishlom / ‏שלום לכלכם – shalom l'khulkhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: שאלו בשלמא – shalu bashlomo / שלמא עם כלהון – shlomo am khulhon)

2 Pet 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 
(Greek: χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη – charis umin kai eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ושלום – chesed v'shalom)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: טיבותא ושלמא – tabota vashlomo)

2 John 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
(Greek: χαρις, ελεος, ειρηνη – charis, eleos, eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ורחמים ושלום – chesed v'rachamim v'shalom)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: טיבותא ורחמא ושלמא – tabota v'rachme vashlomo)

3 John 13 I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
(Greek: Ειρηνη σοι – Eirene soi / ασπαζονται – aspazontai / ασπαζου – aspazou)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏שלום לך – shalom l'kha / ‏דורשים בשלומך – dorshim bishlomkha / ‏דרש בשלום – drosh bishlom)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: שלמא נהוא – shlomo nehwe / שאלין שלמכ – shalin shlomokh / שאל שלמא – shal shlomo)

Jude 2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
(Greek: ελεος υμιν και ειρηνη και αγαπη – eleos umin kai eirene kai agape)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏רחמים ושלום ואהבה – rachamim v'shalom v'ahavah)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: רחמא ושלמא וחובא – rachme vashlomo v'choba)

Rev 1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
(Greek: χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη – charis umin kai eirene)
(Hebrew translation from Greek: ‏חסד ושלום לכם – chesed v'shalom lakhem)
(Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew Script: טיבותא לכון ושלמא – tabota l'khon vashlomo)