Salem (Hebrew: שָׁלֵם, Shalem; Ancient Greek: Σαλήμ, Salḗm) is an ancient Middle Eastern town mentioned in the Bible.

Salem is referenced in the following biblical passages:

• "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God."^[1]
• "In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion."^[2]

The name refers to the royal city of Melchizedek and is traditionally identified with Jerusalem.^[3] It is also mentioned in Hebrews 7. The deuterocanonical Book of Judith mentions the "valley of Salem".^[4]

Possibly a different place is mentioned in Genesis 33:18: "And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city." The town of Salim corresponds to that location. It is also mentioned in the Gospel of John 3:23: "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Saleím [Σαλείμ], because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."

Various towns have been named after Biblical Salem.