Salt
Summary
An essential mineral used for seasoning food, preserving offerings, and symbolizing covenantal fidelity, purity, and the preserving influence of God's people in the world.
☩Sources and Uses
The Hebrews obtained salt primarily from the southern shores of the Dead Sea, where extensive deposits and salt mountains provided an inexhaustible supply. The Dead Sea itself, called the Salt Sea in Scripture, contains such high concentrations that its water yields about one pound of solid salts per three pounds of water. Salt served as an essential condiment for both human food and animal fodder, and as a preservative against spoilage in the hot climate. The Phoenicians used Mediterranean sea salt for salting fish, which they traded throughout the region.
☩Ritual Significance
Salt was required with all offerings presented on the altar, originally specified for the grain offering but later extended to all sacrifices. The instruction to season offerings with "the salt of the covenant of your God" connected the practice to Israel's covenant relationship with the Lord. This requirement emphasized the incorruptibility and permanence that should characterize what is dedicated to God. A large quantity of salt was kept in a special chamber within the Temple, and Antiochus once conferred a valuable gift of 375 bushels of salt for Temple use.
☩Covenant Symbol
The expression "covenant of salt" denoted an indissoluble alliance between parties. Because salt was shared at meals and symbolized hospitality, eating salt together created a sacred bond of mutual obligation and friendship. The phrase "salted with the salt of the palace" indicated binding loyalty to the king. To this day in Eastern cultures, "to eat bread and salt together" signifies a league of mutual friendship, while the Persian term for traitor literally means "faithless to salt."
☩New Testament Teaching
Jesus called His disciples "the salt of the earth," indicating their role as a preserving and purifying influence in a morally corrupt world. He warned that salt which loses its savor becomes worthless, fit only to be thrown out—a phenomenon actually observed where impure salt exposed to elements becomes tasteless. Paul instructed believers to let their speech be "seasoned with salt," combining grace with moral wholesomeness and wisdom. The counsel to "have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another" connects the preservative quality of salt with the unity believers should maintain.
Related Verses36 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Salt," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Salt," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Salt," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Salt," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 5.James Orr (ed.), "Salt," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 6.James Hastings (ed.), "Salt," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).