Salt in the Bible

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The Bible mentions salt[1][2] in different contexts and different meanings. On many occassions it is used as a symbol in one way or another. Salt in scripture can carry a "two-fold" signification - a positive attribute of salt is that it is the flavor which makes things good, and the negative attribute of salt is that of it's use in making something barren or without worth. These are characteristics which both signify the Blessings and the Judgments of God respectively.

Salt is so abundant on and deep within the earth, that it could rightfully be referred to as a "Fifth element" since humanity dependends on it much like it does on air, earth, water and fire.

References in Scripture

Old Testament

  • Genesis 19:26 "But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt."
  • Deuteronomy 29:23 "And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the Lord overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath ..."
  • Judges 9:45 "And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt."
  • Job 6:6 "Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt?"
  • Leviticus 2:12-13 (Incomplete)
  • Joel 2:20 "But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things."[3]

Being in a land barren and desolate, and having your face toward the east sea is a signification of having nothing worthwhile. It is likely that the implied reference to the salinity of this sea is a signification of Judgment. The Dead Sea is truly a dead sea, it is a place with a salt content so high, that it can only be described as desolate. For this people to be in a land barren and desolate and have their face toward this dead sea, is a figure of the worst possible scenario, and the lowest position one can be in. Under God's judgment where there is nothing around you but desolation! And one's "face" toward the salt sea, signifies this judgment.

  • Ezekiel 16:4 "As for your nativity, on the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed in water to cleanse you; you were not rubbed with salt nor wrapped in swaddling cloths. (NKJV)
  • Ezekiel 47:11 "But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt."


New Testament

  • Gospel of Matthew 5:13-14 "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."
  • Gospel of Mark 9:47-50 Salt with Fire ...
"And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another."
"Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
  • Colossians 4:6 "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

Characeteristics of Salt

  • Salt is a taste enhancer and a needed mineral;
  • Salt is used as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge in many cultures;
  • Salt was used as a currency in many cultures;


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Interpretations by Church fathers

What do the Church fathers have to say about the "salt" term in Scripture? List of articles discussing this:


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Notes

  1. Salt is the every day term for the chemical compound Sodium Chloride (NaCl); it occurs naturally in many parts of the world and is particularly prevalent in the area of the Dead Sea. Halite is the mineral form of sodium chloride.
  2. An interesting quality of salt is that when it is used it looses itself. Example, (1) when used in cooking the salt can not be seen; it makes its contribution and is "gone". (2) In various chemical processes, salt "dissipates" after it has fulfilled its purpose.
  3. The east sea, or the Sea of the Plain, is more commonly known as the Dead Sea! This sea is infact a large inland lake whose waters are extremely saline. In fact, it is five times more salty than the oceans, and marine life cannot live in it's waters. It is at the lowest point on earth and can be described as desolate.

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