Salem (Bible)

Salem (Hebrew: שָׁלֵם, Shalem; Ancient Greek: Σαλήμ, Salḗm) is an ancient Middle Eastern town mentioned in the Bible. Salem (say’luhm) is Hebrew for peace (similar roots to the more familiar Hebrew word "shalom", Hebrew being the original language of the Old Testament).

Salem is referenced in the following biblical passages:

• "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God."
• "In Judah, God is known, his name is great in Israel. His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion. There he broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war."

The name refers to the royal city of Melchizedek and is traditionally identified with Jerusalem. It is also mentioned in Hebrews 7:2, "This King Melchizedek of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him"; and to him Abraham apportioned "one-tenth of everything". His name, in the first place, means "king of righteousness"; next he is also king of Salem, that is, "king of peace".

The deuterocanonical Book of Judith mentions the "valley of Salem".

Possibly a different place is mentioned in Genesis 33:18: "And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city." The town of Salim corresponds to that location. It is also mentioned in the Gospel of John 3:23: "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Saleím [Σαλείμ], because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."

Various towns have been named after Biblical Salem.