Shallum is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, appearing multiple times in the Old Testament. The name means "retribution" or "reward" in Hebrew, as derived from the root shalem (to be complete or peaceful), but with a sense of requital or recompense.EtymologyThe Hebrew name Shallum (שַׁלּוּם) is closely related to shalom (peace) but carries a more nuanced connotation of "recompense" or "retribution," reflecting the divine principle of receiving what is due. It is often associated with the idea of God rewarding the faithful or punishing the wicked.Notable BearersShallum is the name of at least a dozen distinct individuals in the Bible. The most notable is Shallum of Israel, who reigned as king over the northern kingdom for only one month (c. 745 BCE) after assassinating King Zechariah, fulfilling the prophecy that Jeroboam's dynasty would end. He himself was soon killed by Menahem, who succeeded him (2 Kings 15:10-15).Another important figure is Shallum (or Jehoahaz), the son of King Josiah of Judah, who reigned for three months before being deposed and exiled by Pharaoh Necho (2 Kings 23:30-34). His original name, Shallum, was changed—or perhaps replaced—upon his accession, a common practice among Hebrew kings.Other bearers include a gatekeeper, a Levite porter, the husband of the prophetess Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), an ancestor of Ezra, and several clan heads and officials mentioned in Chronicles. One particularly vivid account is in Nehemiah 3:12: Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired a section of the wall with the help of his daughters.Distinction and Related NamesShallum appears in the English Bible in the books of 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Ezra, Jeremiah, and other texts, mostly as a minor figure. Though etymologically distinct, it is sometimes considered a variation of Sulaiman (Arabic) or Salomo (Biblical German), but these links are phonetic rather than semantic.Meaning: "retribution, reward"Origin: HebrewType: Biblical nameUsage: English Bible, Hebrew BibleNotable: King of Israel, husband of Huldah