SALEM sā’ ləm (שָׁלֵ֔ם; Σαλήμ, G4889; complete). An abbreviated form of Jerusalem (q.v.). Though occurring only four times in Scripture, Salem is the city’s first designation (Gen 14:18) and identifies the place of God’s סֹכְ, H6108, covert, booth, or dwelling (Ps 76:2). Melchizedek’s title, king of Salem (Heb 7:1), means “king of peace,” q.v. (v. 2), in its sense of security, prosperity, and well-being.

שָׁלֵ֜ם may also have connoted to Jerusalem’s original Jebusite inhabitants a “prospering” Canaanite deity of that name. The KJV of Genesis 33:18, Jacob “came to Shalem [שָׁלֵ֜ם], a city of Shechem,” is better rendered, “came in peace to the city of Shechem” (ASV; “safely,” RSV).

Bibliography Of alternatives proposed by a negative criticism that refuses to accept the validity of the parallel usage in Psalm 76:2 of Salem with Zion: H. Vincent, Jérusalem de l’AT (1956), II: 612, 613; IDB, IV: 166.