Why Shaliah

What is Shaliah?

The word shaliah is the Aramaic equivalent of the Greek word "apostolos" from which we get the word apostle.

Aramaic was the language that Jesus spoke so it is highly likely that when he commissioned the disciples as apostles in Luke 6:13 the word He may have used was shaliah.

The concept of a shaliah was well established in the first-century Jewish culture. A shaliah was an official of the Sanhedrin - the ruling council of Israel and as an ambassador, emissary or exercised the full rights and authority of the Sanhedrin. When he spoke, he spoke for them with their full authority. He was given the same respect and deference as the Sanhedrin however he never delivered his own message - only that of the group he represented.

Some prominent rabbis had their own shaliah or "sent ones" who taught their message and represented them with their full authority. Even the Jewish Mishnah ( a collection of oral traditions originally conceived as a commentary on the Law) recognized the role of the shaliah. It says, "The one sent by the man is as the man himself".

The first reference to a shaliah is in the book of Genesis where Abraham sends his servant (shaliah) to secure a wife for Isaac.

Thus the nature of the office of shaliah was well understood by the Jewish people and it is highly likely that it was in this context that Jesus identified Himself as being sent from God the Father in His full authority and power and then likewise sent out His followers in His full authority and power to deliver and demonstrate the gospel.

Joh 20:20-21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."