Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

SALEM

(Heb. šālēm)

The city where Melchizedek was king (Gen. 14:18; cf. Heb. 7:2). It is identified with Zion in Ps. 76:2(MT 3), hence, Jerusalem — a tradition that was widespread in antiquity. It is likely that the early vocalization of Jerusalem was yerûšālēm. Targ. Onkelos, Neofiti, and Pseudo-Jonathan all assent to the equation of Salem with Jerusalem by rendering “Salem” in Gen. 14:18 as “Jerusalem.” Similarly, the Genesis Apocryphon from Qumran glosses Gen. 14:18 “Salem, that is Jerusalem” (1QapGen 22:13).

Still, this view was not held in unanimity. One possible early divergent tradition is found in the ambiguously worded phrase of Gen. 33:18, translated by the KJV “and Jacob came to Salem, a city of Shechem.” Targ. Onkelos and Pseudo-Jonathan interpret šlm here as another name for Shechem (“Salem, the city of Shechem”). The phrase might also, however, be understood with the RSV, “and Jacob came safely to Shechem.” Another tradition is seen in Eusebius (Onom. 152), who equates Salem with Salumias (Salim, John 3:23), 12 km. (7.5 mi.) S of Scythopolis (ancient Beth-shean). Despite the scant evidence, most commentators accept the view identifying Salem with Jerusalem.

Dexter E. Callender, Jr.

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

SALEM

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)