Bible Word Study
שָׁלוּ
shâlûw · a fault
שָׁלוּ
a fault
Definition
The Aramaic noun שָׁלוּ refers to a fault, error, or something that is amiss or lacking. It describes a deficiency or failure in meeting a required standard, often in an administrative or legal context. In Ezra 4:22, it warns against allowing 'damage' or 'loss' to the king's interests, while in Ezra 6:9, it specifies that nothing should be 'lacking' for the temple offerings. In Daniel 6:4, it denotes an 'error' or 'fault' that his enemies sought to find in Daniel's conduct.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament (Ezra and Daniel), all within contexts of imperial governance and royal decrees. It appears in official correspondence and legal scrutiny, describing shortcomings that could lead to financial loss (Ezra 4:22), ritual insufficiency (Ezra 6:9), or personal misconduct (Daniel 6:4). The pattern shows it is a formal term for a failing that has consequential, often political, ramifications.
Etymology
Derived from Aramaic שָׁלוּ or שָׁלוּת, it is cognate with the Hebrew root שָׁלָה (H7955), which carries meanings related to negligence, failing, or being at fault. This etymological connection places the word within a semantic field of deficiency and error.
Semantic Range
Though an administrative term, שָׁלוּ touches on themes of human imperfection and the need for completeness before God and earthly authorities. In Daniel 6:4, its use highlights Daniel's exceptional integrity—no 'fault' could be found in him, a contrast that points to moral blamelessness. It subtly underscores that true faithfulness, even in secular duties, is measured by the absence of such failing. In the Persian imperial context, this term reflects bureaucratic precision and the high standards expected in royal service. A 'fault' (שָׁלוּ) could mean financial mismanagement, ritual impropriety, or disloyalty, with serious penalties. This differs from a modern, more generalized notion of 'mistake,' as it carried specific legal and administrative weight in ancient Near Eastern governance. חֲטָאָה (chaṭā'â, H2399) — a more common term for 'sin' or moral offense, with stronger religious connotations. פֶּשַׁע (peshaʿ, H6588) — 'transgression' or rebellion, implying a willful breach. תָּעָה (tāʿâ, H8582) — 'to err' or go astray, often with a sense of wandering from a path.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]