Difference between revisions of "Salt in the Bible"
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A primary source for salt would have been the shores of the Dead Sea. In those days, it is not much would have been known about refining salt and it would have been difficult salt to be distinguished from the sand on the shores of the sea. In essence, this substance which was called "salt" in New Testament scripture would have been a mixture; sometimes more salt than sand. When it was more sand than salt, it had “lost its savor”<ref>Salt never loses its taste. It can become rock hard or it can become damp but scientifically it will always taste the same.</ref> and therefore was good for nothing but to be “cast out and trodden under the foot of man.” Jesus said to His followers: “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its taste, it is good for nothing except to be thrown out and trodden under the foot of men.” | A primary source for salt would have been the shores of the Dead Sea. In those days, it is not much would have been known about refining salt and it would have been difficult salt to be distinguished from the sand on the shores of the sea. In essence, this substance which was called "salt" in New Testament scripture would have been a mixture; sometimes more salt than sand. When it was more sand than salt, it had “lost its savor”<ref>Salt never loses its taste. It can become rock hard or it can become damp but scientifically it will always taste the same.</ref> and therefore was good for nothing but to be “cast out and trodden under the foot of man.” Jesus said to His followers: “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its taste, it is good for nothing except to be thrown out and trodden under the foot of men.” | ||
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| + | ==References in Scripture== | ||
| + | ===Old Testament=== | ||
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| + | ===New Testament== | ||
| + | * [[Gospel of Matthew]] X Verse X | ||
==Characeteristics of Salt== | ==Characeteristics of Salt== | ||
Revision as of 23:52, December 16, 2008
Salt [1][2] is referenced in the Bible on many occassions and whenever it is mentioned it is used as an essential reference.
- In the Book of Job, written hundreds of years before Christ, is found the line, “Can nothing which is unsavory be eaten without salt.”
- the most familiar reference to salt occurs in the story of Lot’s wife. Lot was a nephew of Abraham who lived with his wife and two daughters in Sodom. Just before the wicked city was destroyed for its sinfulness, two angels came to Lot and warned him to escape, cautioning him and his family not to look back once they departed. Lot’s wife, however, disregarded the command and turned to look back at the burning city. She was turned to pillar of salt.
- When Elisha sweetened the waters of Jericho, he cast salt into them.
A primary source for salt would have been the shores of the Dead Sea. In those days, it is not much would have been known about refining salt and it would have been difficult salt to be distinguished from the sand on the shores of the sea. In essence, this substance which was called "salt" in New Testament scripture would have been a mixture; sometimes more salt than sand. When it was more sand than salt, it had “lost its savor”[3] and therefore was good for nothing but to be “cast out and trodden under the foot of man.” Jesus said to His followers: “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its taste, it is good for nothing except to be thrown out and trodden under the foot of men.”
Contents
References in Scripture
Old Testament
=New Testament
- Gospel of Matthew X Verse X
Characeteristics of Salt
The characteristics of salt and how they can be applied to Old and New Testament Scripture.
Interpretations by Church fathers
What do the Church fathers have to say about the "salt" term in Scripture? List of articles discussing this:
Notes
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Salt never loses its taste. It can become rock hard or it can become damp but scientifically it will always taste the same.
