Shalem may be the name of a place near Shechem where Jacob settled, though many translations understand Genesis 33:18 to mean that Jacob arrived safely at the city of Shechem.
Definition
Shalem may be the name of a place near Shechem, probably represented by a village called Salim. It may also be understood not as a proper name but as a description meaning that Jacob came safely or in peace to the city of Shechem.
Biblical Usage
The issue arises in Genesis 33:18. Some translations read that Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, while the Revised Version reads that he came in peace to the city of Shechem. The supplied material favors the latter reading among many scholars but notes evidence for the former.
Historical Background
A village named Salem lies about two to four miles east of ancient Shechem, or Nablus, and has been offered as support for reading Shalem as a place-name. Against this is the tradition locating Jacob’s well and Joseph’s tomb near Shechem.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Perfect, a place (probably the village of Salim) some 2 miles east of Jacob’s well. There is an abundant supply of water, which may have been the reason for Jacob’s settling at this place (Gen. 33:18-20). The Revised Version translates this word, and reads, “Jacob came in peace to the city of Shechem,” thus not regarding it as a proper name at all.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(safe). (Genesis 33:18) Probably not a proper name, but a place. It is certainly remarkable that there should be a modern village hearing the name of Salim three miles east of Nablus, the ancient Shechem.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>sha'-lem (shalem; eis Salem): The word as a place-name occurs only in Ge 33:18. With Luther, following Septuagint, Peshitta and Vulgate, the King James Version reads "And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem." the Revised Version (British and American) with the Targums Onqelos and pseudo-Jonathan, the Samaritan codex and the Arabic, reads "came in peace to the city of Shechem." There is a heavy balance of opinion among scholars in favor of the latter reading. It is certainly a remarkable fact, supporting the King James Version, that about 4 miles East of Shechem (Nablus), there is a village bearing the name Salem. If the King James Version is right, this must represent the city referred to; and East of Salem would transpire the events recorded in Ge 44. Against this is the old tradition locating Jacob's well and Joseph's tomb near to Shechem. Eusebius (in Onomasticon) gets over the difficulty by identifying Shalem with Shechem.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>
