The Hebrew word for "peace" is "shalom." The word "shalom" is used as a greeting. The word, "Shalom," means much more in Hebrew than the word "peace" means in English. It's not just the absence of war, conflict, and strife. Shalom means completeness, wholeness, and harmony-much more than just peace.

It's not just spiritual. It's not just inward. It's total wholeness-spirit, soul, and body.
- Modified from a Derek Prince Facebook post

Shalom alechem ("well-being be upon you" or "may you be well"), this expression is used to greet others and is a Hebrew equivalent of "hello". The appropriate response to such a greeting is "upon you be well-being" (aleichem shalom).

On the eve of Shabbat, Jews have a custom of singing a song which is called Shalom Alechem, before the Kiddush over wine of the Shabbat dinner is recited.

In the Gospels, Jesus often uses the greeting "Peace be unto you" (e.g., Matt 10:12), a translation of shalom aleichem.

The Talmud says, "the name of God is 'Peace'", therefore, one is not permitted to greet another with the word shalom in places such as a bathroom. Biblical references lead many Christians to teach that "Shalom" is one of the sacred names of God.