While studying scripture one day, I got curious about the meaning of the name “Jerusalem.” In Hebrew, the word is ירושלם (Yerushalem or Yerushalayim).
Note: Hebrew is read right to left.
The official answer from The New Strong’s Complete Dictionary of Bible Words: h3389 and h3390, ירושלם means founded peaceful.
From Chabad.org, we find a different definition with an interesting story to go along with it. They say the name is a combination of two other words: yireh and shalem. This seems odd to me, as Yerushalayim begins with the sound “Ye-roo”, not “yi-rah”. But their story goes like this:
As this was the place that Abraham was set to sacrifice his son to God, he named it, “God will see.” Which in Hebrew is Yireh. This was the same location, however, as Melchizedek came from, and he was the King of Shalem. It is an ancient tradition that Melchizedek was none other than Shem, son of Noah (this I believe also). The Jewish story says that God was worried that if He called the place Shalem, then Abraham would be angry; but if He named it Yireh, Shem would be angry. Therefore, to keep everyone happy, he joined the two words together.
I wasn’t buying this fairy tale, and I think the reason is pretty obvious!
So, I kept looking…
Whenever I am researching word meanings while studying scripture, I like to look to the primitive root. Scripture is ancient, therefore, the later definitions are secondary to the word’s origin. Another point to note, is that the Hebrew alphabet does not use vowels the way English does. Sometime around the seventh century AD, scholars added vowel markings to words. These vowel markings are only used in scripture and children’s books. Many of the words in the Strong’s Dictionary are the same word with different vowel markers, which means they are originally from the same root.
The best place to start with the word ירושלם was to see what words it could be broken down into. The most obvious one being “Shalem”. This is one thing on which I agree with Chabad.org.
The next step was to look at the first part of the word. The ו (yod), when used as a prefix, places a third person singular future tense on the following verb.
Now, the remaining letters in the middle of the word were רו (ruw). After looking through the Strong’s Dictionary, I realized that there was no such Hebrew word. However, I found the word רוש (ruwsh). Jackpot! There is no reason why we can’t use the ש twice, as it is common practice to drop one letter when combining two words into one. The ש makes the sound of the “sh” in English. You wouldn’t see an English word doubling the “sh”, either.
Putting it all together, the three words would sound like: ye-ruwsh-shalem. Next, I looked up the meanings of the three words in their proper order using the Strong’s Dictionary.
The “yod” as a prefix means: He will.
The “ruwsh” is Strong’s h7326, רוש: a primitive root, to be destitute: -lack, needy; (make self) poor (man).
The “shalem” is Strong’s h7999, שלם: a primitive root, to be safe; to be completed; to make amends; to make an end; to finish; to make good, full, give again; to repay; to make to be at peace; to perfect; to make prosper; to make restitution; restore; reward.
Therefore, Jerusalem means: He will make himself a poor destitute man to make amends, to make restitution, to make an end, to finish, to perfect, to restore, to make all to be at peace.
WOW!!! How could Jerusalem mean anything but Yeshua!
It is small wonder that the Jewish community and the world do not want to recognize the true meaning of the name!
Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. (RSB)
2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Master Yeshua Messiah, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich. (RSB)
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many. (RSB)
Luke 1:78-79 Through the tender mercy of our Elohim; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (RSB)
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (RSB)
Romans 9:28 For He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will YHWH make upon the earth. (RSB)
Titus 2:14 Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (RSB)
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith YHWH, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (RSB)
Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.
May you be blessed by this study. Shalom.