שְׁלֹמוֹת
Shelomoth, the name of two Israelites
Definition
The proper noun שְׁלֹמוֹת (Shᵉlômôwth) refers to two distinct Israelite men in the Old Testament. The first is Shelomoth, a Levite from the family of Izhar, listed among the temple servants in 1 Chronicles 23:9. The second is a different Shelomoth, a Levite from the family of Eliezer, who was a treasurer for the dedicated gifts of King David and other leaders (1 Chronicles 26:25-26). The name itself means 'peaceful ones' or 'recompenses,' derived from the root for peace (shalom).
Biblical Usage
This name appears exclusively in the genealogical and administrative lists of 1 Chronicles, specifically in chapters 23, 24, and 26. It is used to identify individuals within the Levitical priesthood who held specific roles in temple service and management. In 1 Chronicles 23:9 and 24:22, it identifies a Levite in the line of Kohath. In 1 Chronicles 26:25-26, it identifies a different Levite responsible for guarding dedicated temple treasures.
Etymology
שְׁלֹמוֹת (Shᵉlômôwth) is the feminine plural form of the noun שָׁלוֹם (shalom, H7965), meaning 'peace,' 'wholeness,' or 'welfare.' The plural form can imply 'peaceful ones' or, as suggested by its etymology, 'pacifications' or 'recompenses.' It is a variant of the more common name שְׁלֹמִית (Shᵉlômîyth, H8019), which is the feminine singular form.
Semantic Range
While a personal name, its connection to the root שָׁלוֹם (peace) subtly links these individuals to the biblical concept of wholeness, covenant relationship, and divine blessing. Their roles in temple service—one in general duties and another in guarding sacred treasures—suggest that those who serve God's house are associated with and stewards of His peace. This enriches reading by seeing names not just as labels but as carrying theological weight related to God's character and purposes for His people.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often descriptive or expressed a hope or characteristic. A name derived from 'shalom' would be desirable, reflecting a blessing of peace, completeness, or well-being upon the individual or family. The fact that two different Levites bore this name highlights its positive connotation within the community dedicated to God's service.
שְׁלֹמִית (Shᵉlômîyth, H8019) — The feminine singular form of the same name, borne by several women in the Old Testament.
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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