Peace (Part 2)

This is a continuation of a series of studies on the topic of peace.  Peace is one of the fruits of the spirit.

Galatians 5:22 NKJV – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

In the image that follows is Galatians 5:22 in several languages.  The first three texts are from the Peshitta: Aramaic, Aramaic transliterated to Hebrew characters, and a translation of the Peshitta in modern Hebrew.  Following that in two lines is the text in Greek and a translation of the Greek into Hebrew.  The word that means peace is highlighted in each text.  The word peace is eirene (G1515) in Greek, shalom (H7965) in Hebrew and shlama in Aramaic.  These are the words that this study will focus on.

Compare the definitions for peace, eirene, shalom and shlama below.  Are there some subtle differences?  When we read the texts in the Bible, which meanings do we have in mind?

Some of the definitions for peace from The Oxford American Dictionary (OAD) are:

1) freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility
mental calm; serenity : the peace of mind this insurance gives you.
2) freedom from or the cessation of war or violence

Some of the definitions for eirene (Greek) in Thayer's Lexicon are:

1) a state of national tranquillity: exemption from the rage and havoc of war
2) peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord
3) security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)

Some of the definitions for shalom (Hebrew) in Gesenius's Lexicon are:

1) Adjective – whole, entire:
of body healthy, sound;
in number, in full number;
secure, tranquil
2) Noun – wholeness, safety, soundness, health;
to ask of someone, "Is he well?";
to ask anyone concerning health and welfare;
in a phrase addressed to someone who is going away; (Go in Peace)
peace, opp. to war
concord, friendship

Some of the definitions for shlama (Aramaic) in Payne Smith's Syriac Dictionary are:

whole, entire, perfect, full, complete
peace, safety, health, welfare

Notice that the primary Hebrew and Aramaic meanings are about wholeness, completeness, health and welfare; in contrast, the primary English and Greek meanings are about freedom from conflict and war.

With these definitions in mind, let's look at some texts from the Bible.  Which meanings make the most sense in the context of each text?

Matthew 5:9 uses a the word eirenopoios (G1518) which is derived from eirene (G1515) and poieo (G4160).  This is the only instance of this word in the Bible.  The OAD defines peacemaker as "a person who brings about peace, esp. by reconciling adversaries."  We tend to think of a peacemaker as a broker between warring countries or between people or groups in conflict.  But, is this the primary or only meaning that Jesus had in mind?  Could the meaning of this text include blessed are the pursuers of (spiritual) wholeness... doers of (spiritual) health?

Matt 5:9 NKJV – Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
(Greek: G1518 – ειρηνοποιος – eirenopoios)
(Modern Hebrew: H7291 H7965 – ‏רודפי שלום – rodfei shalom – pursuer of peace)
(Peshitta, Aramaic: לעבדי שלמא  – l'abday shlama – doers of peace or makers of peace or performers of peace)
(Peshitta, Hebrew translation: H6213 H7965 – עושי שלום – osey shalom – doers of peace or makers of peace)

There is certainly a sense of reconciliation in Colossians 1:19; this text uses the word eirenopoiesas which is derived from the word eirenopoios which is used in Matthew 5:9.  Notice that in this text it is Jesus who is the peacemaker; Jesus is the maker of health, the maker of wholeness.

Col 1:19 NKJV – For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 
(Greek: G1517 – ειρηνοποιησας – eirenopoiesas – derived from G1518)
(Modern Hebrew: H6213 H7965 – ‏בעשית שלום – in the doing of peace or in the action of peace)

Are there some other texts that use the Hebrew words that translate the Greek in these verses; do they give us a different sense for what Matthew 5:9 means?   Notice the parallelism in Psalms 34:14; is seeking peace the same thing as departing from evil and doing good?

Ps 34:14 NKJV – Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
(Hebrew: H1245 H7965 H7291 – ‏בקש שלום ורדפהו – baqesh shalom v'radfehu)
(Septuagint Greek: G2212 G1515 G1377 – ζητησον ειρηνην και διωξον αυτην – zeteson eirenen kai dioxon auten)

In the following three texts, God is the maker of peace.   Peace is probably being used in the sense of tranquility in Isaiah 45:7; notice the parallel contrasts of light-darkness and peace-calamity.  The other two texts are probably using peace in the sense of reconciliation or freedom from conflict with God.

Isa 27:5 NKJV – Or let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.
(Hebrew: ‏ ‏יעשה שלום / ‏שלום יעשה – ya'aseh shalom / shalom ya'aseh)

Isa 45:7 NKJV – I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.
(Hebrew: ‏עשה שלום – osey shalom – making peace or doing peace)

Job 25:2 NKJV – Dominion and fear belong to Him; He makes peace in His high places. 
(Hebrew: ‏עשה שלום – osey shalom – making peace or doing peace)

The following texts all use the word peace together with go— go in peace.  This appears to be a common expression said to someone going away— a have a good trip or bon voyage.  It seems to be wishing the traveler health and safety.  Three of the texts also add a petition for God's presence or God's help in the mission of the traveler.  The texts where Jesus used this expression are associated with healings; perhaps the one healed understood it as you may go now in your new health.  The Exodus 4:18 is unusual in that the Septuagint Greek uses hygiaino to translate the Hebrew shalom; this choice of word suggests a greater emphasis on safety.

Mark 5:34 NKJV – And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
(Greek: υπαγε εις ειρηνην – upage eis eirenen – G5217  G1519  G1515)
(Hebrew Translation: ‏לכי לשלום – l'khi l'shalom)

Luke 7:50 NKJV – Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
(Greek: πορευου εις ειρηνην – poreuou eis eirenen – G4198  G1519  G1515)
(Hebrew Translation: ‏לכי לשלום – l'khi l'shalom)

Luke 8:48 NKJV – And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
(Greek: πορευου εις ειρηνην – poreuou eis eirenen – G4198  G1519  G1515)
(Hebrew Translation: ‏לכי לשלום – l'khi l'shalom)

Acts 16:36 NKJV – So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”
(Greek: πορευεσθε εν ειρηνη – poreuesthe en eirene – G4198  G1722  G1515)
(Hebrew Translation: ‏ולכו לשלום – ulkhu l'shalom)

Exod 4:18 NKJV – So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.”
(Hebrew: ‏לך לשלום – lekh l'shalom)
(Septuagint Greek: βαδιζε υγιαινων – badize ugiainon – G5198 – hygiaino – to be sound, to be well, to be in good health)

Judg 18:6 ¶ NKJV – And the priest said to them, “Go in peace. The presence of the LORD be with you on your way.”
(Hebrew: ‏לכו לשלום – l'khu l'shalom)
(Septuagint Greek: πορευεσθε εις ειρηνην – poreuesthe eis eirenen – G4198 G1519 G1515)

1 Sam 1:17 NKJV – Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”
(Hebrew: ‏לכי לשלום – l'khi l'shalom)
(Septuagint Greek: πορευου εις ειρηνην – poreuou eis eirenen – G4198  G1519  G1515)

1 Sam 20:13 may the LORD do so and much more to Jonathan. But if it pleases my father to do you evil, then I will report it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And the LORD be with you as He has been with my father.
(Hebrew: ‏והלכת לשלום – v'chalakhta l'shalom)
(Septuagint Greek: απελευση εις ειρηνην – apeleuse eis eirenen)

Shalom is a word used in several common Hebrew expressions.   I will have more to say about this topic in a future study.