Footnote 8 – War, Peace and Justice in Early Israel

The Hebrew word sûaµloÆm is commonly translated “peace,” which captures only an approximate and partial meaning. SðaµloÆm describes the cosmic harmony that exists where the world and all its inhabitants are reconciled with God. Israel described this state with its concept of covenant; that is, the bond of fellowship within which “I (Yahweh) shall be your God and you shall be my people.” The qualities of the community living in harmony with God in covenant are variously described as prosperity, peace and righteousness, which taken together begin to describe sûaµloÆm.