21 Powerful Old Testament Verses on Peace and Their Significance

In this post, we will talk about Old Testament verses on Peace.

Showing just how important it is in the Bible and how it’s at the heart of how God connects with His people.

Through Bible verses like:

Exodus 14:14 - "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."

And Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."

True Peace comes from trusting and obeying God, reflecting on its transformative power in personal struggles, such as finding Peace after life’s trials. 

This discussion shows Peace’s deeper meaning beyond avoiding conflict, emphasizing its role in spiritual wholeness and the blessings of aligning with God’s will.

Key Takeaway

Here is a list of Old Testament verses on Peace: 

Old Testament Verses On Peace

Exodus

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. -Exodus 14:14

Leviticus

I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land. 
-Leviticus 26:6

Numbers

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace. 
-Numbers 6:24-26

Judges

So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace. -Judges 6:24

1 Kings

Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab and upon the head of his descendants forever. But upon David and his descendants, upon his house and his throne, there shall be peace forever from the Lord.   -1 Kings 2:33

Psalms

The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace. 
-Psalm 29:11

Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. -Psalm 34:14

Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace. -Psalm 37:37

I will hear what God the Lord will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly. -Psalms 85:8

Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble. 
-Psalm 119:165

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! -Psalm 133:1

Proverbs

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. 
-Proverbs 3:17

Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. -Proverbs 12:20

Isaiah

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. 
-Isaiah 26:3

The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
-Isaiah 32:17 

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns! 
-Isaiah 52:7 

For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has mercy on you. -Isaiah 54:10

I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,’ says the Lord, ‘And I will heal him. -Isaiah 57:19

Jeremiah

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. -Jeremiah 29:11

Ezekiel

I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. -Ezekiel 34:25

What Is Peace According to the Old Testament

Definition and meaning of “shalom”

In the Old Testament, “shalom” is more than the absence of conflict—it’s about completeness, health, prosperity, and harmony. 

This positive Peace involves well-being and tranquility in relationships between people, nations, and God. 

It represents the ideal state God intended from creation.

Different aspects of peace in the Old Testament

Peace is closely linked to covenant relationships. 

Observance of God’s commands brings Peace as an inner calm visible in life’s circumstances. 

The Old Testament warns against false Peace and the Peace proclaimed by false prophets who declare ‘Peace, peace‘ when there is no peace.

The wicked and disobedient cannot experience lasting Peace, as their sin separates them from the God of Peace.

The Old Testament points forward to the coming of the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, who will establish genuine and lasting shalom.

The prophets foretell a future age when the Messiah will reign, and Peace will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:6-9). 

The right relationships between God, humanity, and creation will mark this Peace.

Bible Verses About Peace and Their Significance

1. Exodus 14:14

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. -Exodus 14:14

This verse is part of the story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt.

As the Egyptian army pursued them, Moses told the people not to be afraid and that the Lord would fight for them.

They only needed to remain calm and still.

2. Leviticus 26:6

I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land. 
-Leviticus 26:6 

In this Old Testament verse, God promises peace and security to His people if they follow His commands and remain faithful to Him.

The Lord blesses His children with peace in their land and lives.

Being obedient to God’s Word and living according to His will bring peace and protection from harm.

3. Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace. 
-Numbers 6:24-26

In this beautiful blessing, known as the Aaronic Blessing, we see peace as a gift from God Almighty.

The Lord blesses His faithful servants with peace, showing His favor and grace towards them.

True peace comes from the Lord’s presence.

4. Judges 6:24

So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace. -Judges 6:24

After a divine encounter, Gideon acknowledged God as the source of peace.

By naming the altar “The-Lord-Is-Peace,” Gideon proclaimed his faith in God’s ability to bring peace and deliver his people from their enemies.

5. 1 Kings 2:33

Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab and upon the head of his descendants forever. But upon David and his descendants, upon his house and his throne, there shall be peace forever from the Lord. 
-1 Kings 2:33

King David’s final words to his son Solomon emphasize the importance of obedience to God.

David declares that those who shed innocent blood, like Joab, will face judgment, but those who follow God, like David’s descendants, will experience lasting peace from the Lord.

6. Psalms 29:11

The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace. 
-Psalms 29:11

Lord blesses His people with strength and peace.

Trust in the Lord and seek His face; he gives strength to face life’s challenges and the peace to overcome them.

Lord’s peace depends not on circumstances but on a relationship with Him.

7. Psalms 34:14

Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. -Psalms 34:14

David encourages us to pursue peace by avoiding evil and doing good, which teaches that peace is not just the absence of conflict but a state of harmony that comes from living according to God’s will.

8. Psalms 37:37

Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace. -Psalms 37:37

This verse assures us that those who live blameless and upright lives will experience peace.

It encourages us to follow the example of the righteous and trust in God’s promise of peace for His faithful servants.

9. Psalms 85:8

I will hear what God the Lord will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly. -Psalms 85:8

David desires to listen to God’s voice, knowing that the Lord speaks peace to His people.

However, he also warns against returning to foolish ways, emphasizing the importance of obedience in maintaining peace.

10. Psalms 119:165

Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble. 
-Psalms 119:165

This verse connects peace with love for God’s law. Those who delight in and follow God’s commands will experience great peace and stability.

11. Psalm 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! -Psalm 133:1

David celebrates the beauty and pleasure of unity among God’s people.

Which encourages us to strive for harmony and peace in our relationships with fellow believers, as it pleases God and brings joy to our lives.

12. Proverbs 3:17

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. 
-Proverbs 3:17

Wisdom is personified as a woman whose ways lead to pleasantness and peace.

We are encouraged to seek wisdom to guide us toward peace and well-being.

13. Proverbs 12:20

Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. -Proverbs 12:20 

This proverb contrasts the deceitful hearts of those who plan evil with the joy experienced by those who promote peace.

14. Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
-Isaiah 9:6

This well-known Old Testament verse is a prophecy about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.

One of the Savior’s names is “Prince of Peace,” indicating that He will bring peace to the world.

Christ’s peace is not like the temporary peace that the world offers, but it is an everlasting peace that comes from knowing Him and being reconciled to God through His sacrifice on the cross.

15. Isaiah 26:3

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
-Isaiah 26:3

This powerful Bible verse kept me from going crazy after my husband’s Stroke; it teaches that perfect peace comes from keeping our minds focused on the Lord and trusting in Him completely, no matter what we are going through.

16. Isaiah 32:17

The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. -Isaiah 32:17

This verse connects righteousness with peace, quietness, and assurance.

When we live according to God’s righteous standards, we will experience true and lasting peace.

Peace from righteousness is not temporary; it brings a sense of calmness and security that endures forever.

17. Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!
-Isaiah 52:7

The messenger who brings good news of peace and salvation to God’s people is celebrated.

The prophet declares the beauty of those who proclaim that God reigns supreme reminding us of the joy and peace of knowing that our God is in control and offers us salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

18. Isaiah 54:10

For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has mercy on you. -Isaiah 54:10

God’s promise of peace to His people is everlasting and unshakable.

Even if the mountains and hills seem permanent and were to disappear, God’s kindness and covenant of peace would never be removed.

This is the steadfast nature of God’s love and our security in His promise of peace, which flows from His mercy toward us.

19. Isaiah 57:19

I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,’ says the Lord, ‘And I will heal him. -Isaiah 57:19

The verse speaks of God’s desire to bring peace and healing to all people, regardless of their distance from Him.

The “fruit of the lips” refers to the praise and thanksgiving that result from experiencing God’s peace.

The repetition of the word “peace” emphasizes the abundance and completeness of God’s peace for those who turn to Him.

20. Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. -Jeremiah 29:11

In this beloved verse, God reassures His people that His plans are good and peaceful.

Even in times of difficulty or uncertainty, we can trust that God’s thoughts towards us are not evil but are designed to give us a hopeful future.

Have peace in knowing that our lives are in God’s loving hands.

21. Ezekiel 34:25

I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. -Ezekiel 34:25 

God promises to establish a covenant of peace with His people, bringing safety and security to their lives.

Removing wild beasts from the land symbolizes eliminating threats and dangers, allowing God’s people to live peacefully, even in places that were once considered hazardous.

True peace comes from having the right relationship with God and under His protection.

Why Is Peace Important in the Old Testament

Relationship between peace and God’s presence

Peace in the Old Testament represents a state of wholeness and harmony from a right relationship with God. 

It is closely linked to God’s presence. 

When the Israelites obeyed God and lived by His commands, they enjoyed Peace and security, while turning away led to losing Peace and divine judgment. 

Peace as a sign of God’s blessing and favor

Peace also signifies God’s blessing and favor. 

For example, when God made a covenant with Abraham, He promised to bless him and make him a blessing to others. 

This blessing to others ensured Peace and prosperity for Abraham and his descendants.

Also, when Solomon became king, he asked God for wisdom to govern the people, and the Lord blessed him with Peace and abundance in his kingdom.

Peace as a fundamental aspect of God’s character and will

God’s will is for all people to know peace — within themselves, with each other, and most importantly, with Him.

1. God is described as the “God of peace” (Judges 6:24). Peace is part of His very nature.
2. God’s ultimate plan is to establish a kingdom of peace through the coming Messiah, the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
3. The prophets foretold an eternal era of peace when all nations will know the Lord (Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3).
4. True and lasting peace can only be found in a right relationship with God, living in obedience to His will.
5. Peace is a gift from God, not something we can achieve alone. It comes through trusting in Him.

What Are the Characteristics of a Peaceful Person in the Old Testament

The Old Testament provides many examples of individuals who embodied peaceful characteristics. 

These faithful servants of God demonstrated qualities we can learn from and seek to improve our lives.

1. Trust in God and obedience to His commands

One of the most important characteristics of a peaceful person in the Old Testament is a deep trust in God and a commitment to obey His commands.

The Bible verses we have studied show that true peace comes from living in accordance with God’s will and relying on His wisdom and guidance.

For example, in Proverbs 3:5-6, we are told to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

When we put our faith in God and follow His ways, we can experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.

2. Pursuit of righteousness and justice

Another key characteristic of a peaceful person in the Old Testament is a commitment to righteousness and justice.

The Lord takes pleasure in those who seek to do what is right and stand up for those treated unfairly or discriminated against.

In Psalm 34:14, we are instructed to “Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.”

Psalm 34:14 reminds us that pursuing peace involves actively turning away from sin and working to promote justice and righteousness in our relationships and communities.

3. Humility and willingness to forgive

A peaceful person in the Old Testament is also characterized by humility and a willingness to forgive others.

The Bible verses teach the importance of letting go of pride and extending forgiveness to those who have wronged us.

In Proverbs 15:1, we read that “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

We should respond to others with gentleness and humility, which can diffuse conflicts and promote peace in our relationships.

Also, in Genesis 50:20-21, we see an example of forgiveness in the life of Joseph, who chose to forgive his brothers for selling him into slavery.

Joseph recognized that God had used even their evil actions to bring about good and was willing to extend grace and mercy to them.

How Can One Attain Peace in the Old Testament

A. Steps to finding inner peace

1. Trusting in God and His Promises

One key step to finding inner peace in the Old Testament is trusting in God and His promises.

In Isaiah 26:3, we read, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

Focus on God and trust in His unfailing love; we can experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.

2. Meditating on God’s Word

Another important step is to read the Bible, meditate on God’s Word, and allow it to transform our hearts and minds.

Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.”

3. Praying for Peace and Guidance

Prayer is also very important for attaining inner peace. (This one I know all too well!)

In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul echoes Jesus' teaching, saying, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Bring our worries and concerns to God in prayer to experience His peace that guards our hearts and minds.

I like to remember it this way: “If you worry, pray, and if you pray, don’t worry.” (Of course, I’m still working on my worries.😊)

B. Qualities of a Peaceful Community

1. Unity and Harmony Among God’s People

Unity and harmony among God’s people are key qualities of a peaceful community.

Psalm 133:1 declares, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

Seek to unite with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and we create an environment where peace can flourish.

2. Commitment to Righteousness and Justice

Another important quality is a commitment to righteousness and justice.

In Isaiah 32:17, we read, "The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever."

We can work to promote righteousness and advocate for what is right, contributing to the peace and well-being of our communities.

3. Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Forgiveness and reconciliation are also important for maintaining peace in our relationships.

Another story of forgiveness is the story of David and Saul in 1 Samuel 24.

Saul was jealous of David and pursued him to kill him, even though David had done nothing wrong.

David can kill Saul at one point but chooses to spare his life.

When Saul realizes that David chose to forgive him rather than seek revenge, he is moved and says to David:

“You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil. And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; for when the Lord delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely? Therefore may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day." -1 Samuel 24:17-19

David chose to forgive and show mercy to someone who had deeply wronged him.

He trusted God to judge between him and Saul rather than taking matters into his own hands.

What Are the Consequences of Not Having Peace in the Old Testament

When individuals or nations turned away from God, they experienced devastating effects due to the absence of His Peace.

1. Effects on One’s Relationship with God

Not having peace results in a broken relationship with God, leading to judgment and discipline. 

Isaiah 59:2 and Deuteronomy 28:15-68 illustrate how sin separates people from God and brings about severe consequences like disease, famine, and exile.

2. Consequences of War and Conflict

The lack of Peace often results in war and conflict, causing destruction and suffering. 

Psalm 120:6-7 and 2 Kings 25:1-21 recount the sorrow of conflict and the fall of Jerusalem due to disobedience.

3. Lack of peace as a sign of disobedience and sin

A lack of peace signals disobedience and sin. 

Judges 2:11-15 shows that idolatry and sin led to plunder and distress, emphasizing the message in Isaiah 48:22 that the wicked will not know Peace.

How Can These Verses on Peace Be Applied in Modern Life

Lessons from the Old Testament about attaining and maintaining peace

• Trust in God: Just as Isaiah 26:3 highlights, maintaining focus on God and trusting in His guidance can bring Peace when facing rough times at home or feeling overwhelmed by things happening in the world.
• Obey God’s commands: As the Bible’s stories show, things often go wrong when people don’t follow God’s way. This teaches us that making honest choices in our daily lives, whether at work or with friends, helps keep our lives peaceful and right.
• Seek righteousness: Standing up for what’s fair and just in how we treat others helps bring Peace to our community and strengthens our friendships and family ties.
• Rely on God as the source of peace: Emphasize that Peace doesn’t come from our circumstances or understanding but from reliance on God, which can be reassuring in an ever-changing world.

Conclusion

This post was all about Old Testament verses on Peace.

Understanding that true Peace involves more than avoiding conflict—it’s about wholeness and well-being that comes from the right relationship with the Lord. 

We’ve seen that Peace is natural to God’s character and essential for our relationship with Him. 

These scriptures encourage us to trust God, obey His commands, and live harmoniously with others. 

The lack of Peace can lead to severe consequences, disrupting our relationship with God and causing conflict. 

Let us be encouraged to seek God’s Peace in every area, allowing Christ Jesus to rule in our hearts.

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