Boy Old Testament Rare
Salma
peace; perfection
שַׂלְמָא sal.ma
Salma (Hebrew: שַׂלְמָא, sal.ma) means “peace; perfection”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 2 verses across 1 book of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 278 children in the United States, ranking 936. Around 10,316 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Hareph in 1 Chronicles 2.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Salma
son of Hur
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 2 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 278 | Steady |
| All-time total | 10,316 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 442 in 1999 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Chronicles 2:51 |
| Last appears | 1 Chronicles 2:54 |
| Cross-references | 20 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Ishma attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Hur.
- Penuel attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Hur.
- Jezreel attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Hur.
- Achsah attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Hur.
- Ezer attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Hur.
- Shobal attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Hur.
- Hareph co-occurrence Appears with Hareph in 1 Chronicles 2.
- Manahath co-occurrence Appears with Manahath in 1 Chronicles 2.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at 1Ch.2.51;
son of: Hur (H2354);
brother of: Uri (H0221), Shobal (H7732H), Hareph (H2780), Jezreel (H3157J), Ishma (H3457), Idbash (H3031), Hazzelelponi (H6753), Penuel (H6439H) and Ezer (H5829)
§ Salma = "garment"
1) father of Boaz, father-in-law of Ruth, and grandfather of David
1a) also 'Salmon', 'Salmah'
Salma was the son of Hur and the father (ie founder) of Bethlehem, as mentioned in the genealogy of Judah.
The biblical story
Salma is mentioned in 1Ch.2.51 and 1Ch.2.54 as the son of Hur, who was a descendant of Judah, though the text is difficult to interpret. He is described as the father (ie founder) of Bethlehem, which suggests that he was an ancestor of the people who inhabited the town of Bethlehem in Judah. The genealogy in 1 Chronicles 2 lists the descendants of Judah, including the line of Caleb, which played a significant role in the history of Israel. In verse 54, Salma is also associated with the Netophathites, a group of people who lived in the town of Netophah, near Bethlehem (Ezr.2.22; Neh.7.26). This connection further emphasizes Salma's link to the region of Bethlehem and its surrounding areas. As the father of Bethlehem, Salma's mention in the genealogy highlights the importance of this town, which later became the birthplace of King David and Jesus Christ.
Key verses
Salma appears in 2 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
Salma the father of Beth–lehem, Hareph the father of Beth–gader.
1 Chronicles 2:51 -
The sons of Salma; Beth–lehem, and the Netophathites, Ataroth, the house of Joab, and half of the Manahethites, the Zorites.
1 Chronicles 2:54
Show all 2 references
1 Chronicles (2)
- 1 Chronicles 2:51
- 1 Chronicles 2:54