שְׁלֹמִי

Shelomi, an Israelite

Definition

Shelomi is a proper name meaning 'my peace' or 'peaceable,' derived from the Hebrew root for peace (shalom). It identifies an individual, Shelomi, the father of Ahihud, who served as a tribal leader from the tribe of Asher (Numbers 34:27). His sole biblical appearance is in the context of the division of the Promised Land, where he was appointed to help oversee the distribution of the inheritance west of the Jordan River. The name itself carries the connotation of wholeness and well-being, reflecting the common Israelite practice of using theophoric or meaningful names.

Biblical Usage

The name Shelomi is used only once in the Old Testament, in Numbers 34:27. It appears in a specific administrative context, listing Shelomi as the representative of the tribe of Asher among the leaders appointed to assist Eleazar and Joshua in allocating the land of Canaan. This singular usage is purely identificatory, denoting a specific individual within a historical narrative of land apportionment.

Etymology

Shelomi is a derivative of the Hebrew noun שָׁלוֹם (shalom, H7965), meaning 'peace,' 'wholeness,' 'completeness,' or 'well-being.' The '-i' suffix is a first-person singular possessive pronoun, making the name mean 'my peace.' It is an example of a common Hebrew naming pattern where divine attributes or blessings are incorporated into personal names, though this name is not explicitly theophoric (like 'Jeremiah' which includes Yahweh).

Semantic Range

While the name Shelomi itself is not central to major doctrines, its etymological root in 'shalom' connects it to the profound biblical concept of holistic peace—a state of right relationship with God, others, and creation. Understanding that this leader's name means 'my peace' can subtly enrich the reading of Numbers 34, as the division of the land was meant to be an establishment of God's covenantal peace and rest for Israel. It serves as a small reminder that even administrative figures in Israel's history bore names reflecting core values of God's covenant community.

In ancient Israelite culture, names were often descriptive or expressed a hope or characteristic. A name like Shelomi ('my peace') likely reflected parental aspirations for the child or acknowledged a peaceful circumstance surrounding his birth. As a tribal leader appointed for land distribution, his role was crucial in a culture where land inheritance was a fundamental part of family identity and covenant promise. His singular mention highlights the importance of each tribe having representation in this pivotal national event.

שָׁלוֹם (shalom, H7965) — The root noun meaning 'peace,' from which Shelomi is derived. שַׁלּוּם (Shallum, H7967) — A related proper name meaning 'retribution' or possibly 'repaid,' from a similar but distinct root.

Word Details

Scripture References