שְׁלָה
to be secure
Definition
The Hebrew verb שְׁלָה (shᵉlâh) means 'to be secure' or 'to be at rest.' It conveys a state of safety, tranquility, and freedom from disturbance or threat. In its sole biblical occurrence in Daniel 4:4, it describes King Nebuchadnezzar living securely in his palace, enjoying peace and prosperity. This Aramaic form corresponds directly to the Hebrew root שָׁלָה (H7951), which carries similar connotations of being quiet, at ease, or carefree.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel. In Daniel 4:4, Nebuchadnezzar states, 'I was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace.' Here, it describes the king's condition of security and undisturbed peace before his troubling dream. The usage is specific to a royal context of perceived stability and success.
Etymology
שְׁלָה is the Aramaic form corresponding to the Hebrew root שָׁלָה (H7951), meaning 'to be at ease' or 'to be secure.' It shares a semantic field with words related to peace and safety. The root likely conveys the idea of being free from care or danger, a concept found in several Semitic languages.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word highlights the theme of false security apart from God. Nebuchadnezzar's sense of being 'at rest' (שְׁלָה) precedes divine judgment in Daniel 4, illustrating that human security without humility before God is fleeting. It serves as a caution against pride and self-reliance, pointing to the true rest found only in God's sovereignty.
In the ancient Near East, a king's 'security' often reflected political stability, military strength, and divine favor. Nebuchadnezzar's declaration would have resonated as a claim of prosperous reign. However, the biblical narrative subverts this, showing that such security is provisional unless anchored in acknowledgment of the one true God.
שָׁלָה (shâlâh, H7951) — The Hebrew equivalent, meaning to be at ease or secure. שָׁקַט (shâqat, H8252) — to be quiet or at peace, often in a communal or national context. נוּחַ (nûach, H5117) — to rest or settle, emphasizing physical or spiritual repose.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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