What does Prince of Peace Even Mean?
- Guy Cohen
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
Harvest of Asher
Akko, Israel
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder ... and His name shall be called ... Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end...” (Isaiah 9:6–7)
When we read this passage, it is easy to focus on the title “Prince of Peace,” but peace does not stand on its own; it flows from the reign of the Prince of Peace – “Sar Shalom” (שַׂר שלום).
The Hebrew word Sar (שַׂר) does NOT describe a prince in the sense of being a king’s son. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, a “sar” is one who possesses authority, a ruler, governor, commander, or leader.
Therefore, when Isaiah calls the Messiah “Sar Shalom,” it means peace is under His authority. Peace is not merely a gift that He gives; it is the reality that is established where He reigns.
“Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end...” Notice that Isaiah places government before peace. As His government increases, peace increases. Peace is the fruit of His Kingdom, not the foundation of it. The world believes that peace can be achieved through political agreements, economic prosperity, military strength, and diplomacy. But the prophets teach that the problem runs much deeper. Wars, conflicts, and divisions are outward expressions of a problem within the human heart. Therefore, the solution must begin at the root.
“The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness shall be quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17). Once again Isaiah presents a clear order. Righteousness comes before peace.
“Peace, peace, when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). Jeremiah exposes the greatest danger: a false peace. If the heart has not returned to the Lord, and if righteousness and truth are absent, then peace is only an illusion. Biblical peace does not begin with the condition of the world, it begins with the Kingdom of God. It is not circumstances that create peace, but the reign of the Messiah.
“From that time Yeshua began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand’” (Matthew 4:17). Yeshua did not begin His ministry by proclaiming peace. He began by proclaiming the Kingdom; He invited people to come under God’s rule.
Paul did not define the Kingdom of God as a place where people go after death, nor as a system of external religious practices. He described the reality of life when God reigns in a person with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).
As long as a person seeks peace without submitting to God’s Kingdom, peace will remain out of reach. But when the King reigns, peace becomes the natural fruit of His Kingdom. When Yeshua proclaimed, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,” He was not merely announcing a future event. He was inviting people to come under the authority of “Sar Shalom.” Wherever Yeshua is received, His Kingdom begins to operate, and from that Kingdom flow righteousness, peace, and joy.
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27). Yeshua does not promise a peace that depends upon circumstances. He promises a peace that flows from a relationship with the King. The world’s peace rests upon outward security. The Messiah’s peace rests upon God’s inward reign within the human heart.
