What Does Salt Mean In The Bible?

Salt is mentioned numerous times in the Bible and is rich with symbolic meaning. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: In the Bible, salt represents wisdom, purity, durability, fidelity, and Christian witness.

In this comprehensive article, we will explore the significance of salt in several biblical contexts. We’ll look at the various symbolic meanings of salt, including how it represents wisdom, purity, preservation, and covenant.

We’ll examine key Bible verses about salt and what they reveal about the nature of salt and its importance. We’ll also consider why Jesus calls his followers the “salt of the earth” and what he meant by that designation for Christ’s disciples.

Salt as a Symbol of Wisdom and Purity

Salt Imparts Flavor and Preserves

Since ancient times, salt has been incredibly valued for its flavor enhancing qualities and ability to preserve food. In the Bible, salt represents wisdom and purity partially due to these useful properties.

Just as a small amount of salt can greatly boost flavor, a little wisdom can go a long way in life. Salt was so precious in the ancient world that it was sometimes used as a form of currency and offered as a sign of friendship or loyalty.

Today we may take salt for granted, but Biblical wisdom reminds us not to underestimate the value that even a small amount of wisdom or purity can provide.

The purifying nature of salt

In both the Old and New Testaments, salt is connected to purity, cleansing, and holiness. Salt has natural antibacterial properties which allow it to disinfect wounds and purify water. Similarly, the Bible speaks of the purifying nature of godly wisdom.

For example, Jesus calls his followers “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13), meaning they can have a purifying and preserving effect on the world around them. Just as salt enhances flavor, the wisdom of God can enhance the lives of others.

The wisdom literature in the Bible such as Proverbs, imparts moral wisdom and instruction that leads to purity of heart and action.

Salt as a metaphor for wisdom

The Bible uses salt as a metaphor for covenant, hospitality, durability, purification, judgment and wisdom. Wisdom in Scripture is often gained through experience and learning from God. Therefore, the Bible presents wisdom as more valuable than gold or silver because it guides and preserves one’s life.

For example, King David writes “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:103-104). Just as salt enhances the sweetness of food, God’s wisdom enhances life and helps us discern truth from falsehood.

Additionally, Jesus’ wisdom astonished the religious teachers of his day, showing that godly wisdom surpasses human wisdom. The book of Proverbs frequently connects wisdom to the moral virtues of righteousness, justice and equity which align with salt’s purifying nature.

Salt Represents Durability and Fidelity

The enduring quality of salt

Salt is one of the most durable natural substances, as it does not easily deteriorate or lose its flavor. In biblical times, salt was precious and was even used as a form of currency. Its durability made it a symbol of permanence and steadfastness.

When Jesus called his disciples “the salt of the earth” in Matthew 5:13, he was likely referring to their role as enduring and unchanging influences for good in the world.

There are several examples in the Bible where salt represents permanence or durability:

• The salt covenant – In Numbers 18:19, God calls his covenant with Aaron and his descendants a “covenant of salt”, meaning it is unbreakable and everlasting.
• Ezekiel’s vision – In Ezekiel 47, the prophet sees a river flowing from the temple that turns the Dead Sea fresh. This miraculous transformation highlights the enduring and unchanging nature of God.
• Lot’s wife – In Genesis 19, Lot’s wife is turned into a pillar of salt, preserving her form for perpetuity as a warning.

So when the Bible speaks of salt, it often refers to its lasting quality and sense of permanence. Just as salt maintains its flavor over time, the teachings of God and the influence of his followers should remain steady and enduring.

Salt as a sign of loyalty and commitment

In the ancient Near East, sharing salt together was a sign of loyalty and friendship. This tradition is reflected in several biblical passages where salt signifies commitment between two parties.

Here are some examples of how salt represented loyalty and fidelity in the Bible:

• The salt covenant – When God established his “covenant of salt” with Aaron in Numbers 18:19, it signified God’s unbreakable loyalty and commitment to Aaron and his descendants in the priesthood.
• Ezra’s provisions – In Ezra 7, King Artaxerxes granted provisions to Ezra for his journey including salt, likely as a gesture of the king’s favor and fidelity to support Ezra’s mission.
• The Last Supper – At the Last Supper, Jesus shared bread and salt with his disciples, showing his commitment to them as he sent them out to continue his work.

There is also a notable biblical counterexample where the lack of salt expresses a breach of loyalty:

• “Salt-less” wife – In Ezekiel 16:4, Jerusalem is compared to an abandoned baby, unwashed, unsalted, and discarded, picturing God’s people forsaking their loyalty to him.

So offering salt formed a sacred bond and signified dependability between parties in biblical culture. Jesus likely had this meaning in mind when he called his followers the “salt of the earth” – they were to be known for their steadfast commitment in serving God and bringing flavor to the world.

Salt as a Symbol of Covenant

Covenants sealed with salt in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, salt was used to seal covenants between God and His people. Two examples are found in the books of Numbers and 2 Chronicles.

In Numbers 18:19, God refers to his covenant with Aaron and his descendants as a “covenant of salt forever.” This highlights the binding and permanent nature of the covenant, with salt symbolizing its enduring quality.

Similarly in 2 Chronicles 13:5, God’s covenant with David and his descendants is described as a “covenant of salt.” Again, this emphasizes the solemn and lasting nature of the covenant.

So when people ate salt together, it served as a reminder of their covenant ties and obligations to one another. Sharing salt represented the desire for ongoing loyalty and friendship.

Salt’s relation to hospitality and community

In the ancient Middle East, sharing salt was an important part of showing hospitality. When guests were offered salt, it showed they were under the host’s protection. Salt’s connection to hospitality shows up in texts like Ezra 4:14: “We have been given a salt covenant in the palace.”

Beyond individual hospitality, salt also carried a broader significance for community. Leviticus 2:13 refers to the “covenant of salt” that accompanied temple grain offerings. This likely highlighted Israel’s corporate covenant with God.

So salt had a social and religious role in maintaining the Israelites’ corporate identity and community. It pointed to their exclusive relationship with God as well as their hospitality toward one another.

Christ Followers Called to be the Salt of the Earth

Meaning of Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:13

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus calls his followers “the salt of the earth.” This metaphor carries deep meaning. Salt has qualities that preserve, purify, and add flavor. Likewise, Christ’s true followers are called to be a preservative moral influence in the world, purifying society through holy lives, and seasoning the lives of others with the love of Christ.

Responsibilities and privileges of being God’s salt

Being “salt” entails great responsibility. Salt must come into contact with that which it seasons; Christians cannot remain separated from nonbelievers. Rather, mixing with secular society is necessary to fulfill our role.

Yet this also brings the unique privilege of potentially influencing many for good. Scripture urges, “Have salt within yourselves, and be at peace with one another” (Mark 9:50).

Specific responsibilities include:

• Living according to God’s righteousness, not the world’s compromised standards
• Seasoning conversations with grace and truth
• Curbing immorality and corruption through example and advocacy

Salt as witness and influence in the world

Jesus teaches that salt useless if it has “lost its taste” (Luke 14:34). Thus, we must actively preserve our saltiness by maintaining a vibrant faith. Statistics show the vast majority–over 80%–of Christians spend minimal time reading the Bible or praying outside of church services (source).

Could spiritual apathy be why our salt seems ineffective?

The workplace and social circles present prime opportunities for spreading gospel salt. Research reveals “the majority of unchurched adults are at least somewhat open to engaging in faith conversations” (source).

Let us prayerfully seek open doors to wisely discuss Christ over lunch, during breaks, or at company functions. At minimum, our excellent work and pleasant temperaments should inspire curiosity about the hope within us (1 Peter 3:15).

Salt seasons best slowly, through long-term contact. We sow gospel seeds; God waters them in His timing (1 Cor 3:6-7). While lasting fruit often requires years of cultivating relationships, the eternal rewards for being salt far outweigh temporary discomfort.

As salt of the earth, we walk in a nobility and destiny no earthly title can bestow.

Conclusion

As we have seen, salt has deep symbolic significance throughout Scripture. It represents wisdom, purity, permanence, loyalty, community, holiness, and Christian witness. When Jesus calls his followers the “salt of the earth”, he charges them to live out these qualities for the blessing of the world and the glory of God.

May we embrace our high and humbling calling to be salt in a flavorless world that desperately needs the presence of Christ.