If you’re looking for the meaning of Salem in Hebrew, you’ve come to the right place!

Salem is hands down one of the best toponyms in the Bible! (If you are curious about place names, you can read more about toponyms here.)

Salem has been at the top of our name list for many years because of it’s sweet meaning. There are many virtue names that have run their course (for the moment), but Salem fits the bill for something modern and edgy, with strong Biblical roots.

Salem

Original Language + Form: Hebrew שלם 

Range of Meanings: Peace, Complete

Concept: Since Salem is derived from the Hebrew Shalom שָׁלוֹם, the deeper concept is that being complete or whole is what brings peace. As we see throughout the Bible, when things are in complete (whole), there is peace.

References or Context: Salem is first mentioned when we hear of King Melchizedek, who was a “priest of the most high God” in Genesis 14:18. (If you don’t know the story of Abraham and Melchizedek, now is a great time to catch up on this incredible story!) Because of the reference to the location of Salem in Psalms, the connection is made that Salem and Jerusalem are the same city.

In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.

Psalm 76:2-3

If you like the biblical baby name Salem, you will love: Judea