Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

SALT

A crystallized compound chemically known as sodium chloride. It was used generously in the arid climate of the Near East where excess perspiration resulted in the loss of natural body salts. For the inhabitants of the Bible lands, salt (Heb. mĕlaḥ; Gk. hálas, háls) was necessary for life (Sir. 39:26). The Dead Sea provided a major source for salt, and it was mined both from the shores and the surrounding hills. Zephaniah refers to salt pits that were probably located in the region of Jebel Usdum, S of the Dead Sea (Zeph. 2:9). Dead Sea salt was not the best, and the people of Palestine often purchased the superior specimens of the northern traders.

Salt had a variety of uses in antiquity, most frequently as a common condiment to flavor a variety of foods (Job 6:6). Possibly even animal food was flavored with salt (cf. Isa. 30:24). As with all cultures before the technology of refrigeration, salt was also used as a preservative. In addition to culinary usage, salt was valued medicinally and was rubbed on newborn babies (Ezek. 16:4).

Salt was an element of Israelite worship. The people were to ensure that salt was applied to every grain offering as an indication of the covenant (Lev. 2:13). Salt was also used to “season” certain burnt offerings (Ezek. 43:24; Josephus Ant. 3.9.1). A covenant sealed by salt was believed to be everlasting (Num. 18:19; 2 Chr. 13:5).

Ancient armies used salt as an agent of destruction, pouring it over the ground of conquered territories (Judg. 9:45). Land that has been contaminated by salt becomes barren (Job 39:6). However, in an ironic reversal it is Elisha’s application of salt that provides the antidote for the harmful water that hampered plant growth at Jericho (2 Kgs. 2:19-22).

The NT often speaks of salt in figurative terms. Jesus refers to his disciples as “the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13); while some have seen this as a reference to the “preservative” nature of salt, in light of the emphasis on taste it is more likely a reference to its seasoning ability. Col. 4:6 applies the seasoning metaphor to human speech. If salt loses its distinctiveness it has no value (Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34).

Keith A. Burton

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

SALT

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)