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b-hebrew - [b-hebrew] שלם used to denote non-peaceful word(s) “requite/revenge, repay”?

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  • From: Uri Hurwitz <uhurwitz AT yahoo.com>
  • To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [b-hebrew] שלם used to denote non-peaceful word(s) “requite/revenge, repay”?
  • Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2013 17:58:01 -0700 (PDT)


Hi Philip,  

 Keep in mind that the change in meaning occurs
with the change of Binyan: from Qal to Pi'el.

   As for why the change in meaning from 'peace'
to 'vengeance', one speculation is as good as
another.  Here is one - the root $LM refers to
'wholeness'; 'peace' is a secondary meaning.
Exacting revenge or recompense is another way
of restoring a 'wholeness' to a situation.

  You may wish to look up the Piel noun-formation
of this root 'Shillum',  Also the changes of this
root from Qal to Piel in Arabic (they have different
  names) of the verb SLM, the equivalent in this case
of the Hebrew &LM.

  Uri Hurwitz






Dear Listees,
Deut 32:41 reads, אָשִׁיב נָקָם לְצָרָי, וְלִמְשַׂנְאַי
אֲשַׁלֵּם
This may not be new to
many, but I find it interesting that see the last word in the stitch, i.e.
אֲשַׁלֵּם , root,שלם  so often used to denote peace is being
used here in totally non-peaceful terms as: “to requite/ revenge, repay”?
What are you thoughts
on this please?
Many thanks,

Philip Engmann









  • [b-hebrew] שלם used to denote non-peaceful word(s) “requite/revenge, repay”?, Uri Hurwitz, 03/31/2013

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