שְׁלֹמֹה
Shlomo / Solomon
“Peace”
Solomon (שְׁלֹמֹה, Shlomo) is a Hebrew boy's name meaning “peace,” pronounced “shlo-MO.” From the Hebrew root שׁ-ל-ם (shin-lamed-mem) meaning 'peace, wholeness, completion.' The name Shlomo is directly related to Shalom. God also gave him the name Yedidyah ('Beloved of the LORD') through the prophet Nathan.
| Hebrew | שְׁלֹמֹה |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Shlomo |
| English Name | Solomon |
| Meaning | Peace |
| Pronunciation | shlo-MO |
| Gender | Boy |
| Category | Male Biblical Names |
| Variants | Shlomo, Salomon, Suleiman, Shloimy, Sol |
| Key Scripture | 1 Kings 3:12 |
Solomon's name was a promise of peace after a generation of war. His father David had been a warrior king — brilliant but bloodied — and God told David he could not build the Temple because of the blood on his hands. Instead, God promised that David's son, a man of peace, would build it. That son was Shlomo, from the same root as 'shalom' — peace, wholeness, completeness. Solomon's reign became the golden age of ancient Israel: the Temple was built, wisdom flowed, and 'Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and fig tree' (1 Kings 4:25).
Key Scripture: 1 Kings 3:12
“I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.”
What Does Solomon Mean in Hebrew?
From the root שׁ-ל-ם (shin-lamed-mem) meaning 'to be complete, whole, at peace.' Shlomo (שְׁלֹמֹה) is formed with a possessive suffix: 'his peace' or 'man of peace.' The connection to shalom is immediate and intentional, as his reign was prophesied to be an era of peace.
Solomon in the Bible
Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba who built the First Temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for Israel. God appeared to him in a dream and offered him anything; Solomon asked for wisdom and received unparalleled understanding along with wealth and honor. He authored Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
Solomon's wisdom is legendary across cultures. The 'Judgment of Solomon' (1 Kings 3:16-28) — where he proposed cutting a baby in half to determine the true mother — is one of the most famous stories of judicial wisdom ever told. In Islamic tradition, Suleiman is a prophet-king who commanded the jinn and spoke to animals.
Solomon has been rising in popularity in the United States, currently in the top 400. It has strong traditional usage in Jewish communities (Shlomo) and Arabic/Muslim communities (Suleiman). Its association with wisdom gives it an intellectual gravitas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solomon
What does Solomon mean in Hebrew?
Solomon (שְׁלֹמֹה, Shlomo) means “Peace” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew root שׁ-ל-ם (shin-lamed-mem) meaning 'peace, wholeness, completion.' The name Shlomo is directly related to Shalom. God also gave him the name Yedidyah ('Beloved of the LORD') through the prophet Nathan.
How do you pronounce Solomon in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Solomon is “shlo-MO.” The name is written שְׁלֹמֹה in Hebrew script.
What does Solomon mean in Hebrew?
Solomon (שְׁלֹמֹה, Shlomo) means 'peace' or 'man of peace' in Hebrew, from the root שׁ-ל-ם (shin-lamed-mem) — the same root as 'shalom.' God promised David that his son would be a man of peace who would build the Temple, and the name Shlomo embodies that divine promise of a peaceful reign.
How did Solomon become the wisest man?
When God appeared to Solomon in a dream at Gibeon and offered him anything he desired, Solomon asked not for wealth or power but for 'a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong' (1 Kings 3:9). God was so pleased that He gave Solomon unparalleled wisdom along with the riches and honor he hadn't asked for.
Did Solomon build the Temple in Jerusalem?
Yes — Solomon built the First Temple (also called Solomon's Temple) in Jerusalem around 960 BCE. It took seven years to construct and was the central place of Israelite worship until its destruction by Babylon in 586 BCE. The Temple housed the Ark of the Covenant and was the place where God's presence dwelt among His people.
Sources & Further Study
Related Hebrew Words
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