Salt in the Bible

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Salt [1][2] is referenced in the Bible on many occassions and whenever it is mentioned it is used as an essential reference.


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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”[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.”

References in Scripture

Old Testament

Book of Job

  • Job 6:6 "Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt?

Book of XX

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.

Leviticus

  • Leviticus 2:12-13
  • 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."


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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."
  • Colossians 4:6

Characeteristics of Salt

Salt in scripture carries a two-fold signification. The 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.

[The characteristics of salt and how they can be applied to Old and New Testament Scripture.]


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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. Salt never loses its taste. It can become rock hard or it can become damp but scientifically it will always taste the same.

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