Lexical Summary analos: Unsalted, without salt Original Word: ἀναλός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance without saltiness. From a (as a negative particle) and hals; saltless, i.e. Insipid -- X lose saltness. see GREEK a see GREEK hals HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 358 ánalos (from 1 /A "without" and 251 /háls, "salt") – literally, "without salt"; hence, tasteless, bland (used only in Mk 9:50). See 217 (halas). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and hals Definition saltless NASB Translation unsalty (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 358: ἄναλοςἄναλος, ἄναλον (ἅλς salt), saltless, unsalted (ἄρτοι ἀναλοι, Aristotle, probl. 21, 5, 1; ἄρτος ἄναλος, Plutarch, symp. 5: quaest. 10 § 1): ἅλας ἄναλον salt destitute of pungency, Mark 9:50. Topical Lexicon Biblical contextThe word appears once in the New Testament, in Mark 9:50, where Jesus concludes a series of kingdom instructions with the warning: “Salt is good, but if the salt becomes saltless, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another”. The term highlights a condition in which salt loses the very quality that defines and validates its presence. Symbolic significance of salt in Scripture 1. Purity and preservation 2. Covenant loyalty 3. Flavor and attractiveness The warning of losing saltiness Jesus’ question, “with what will you season it?” underscores the irrecoverable loss that occurs when disciples abandon distinctiveness. It is not the mission field that seasons the disciple; rather, the disciple seasons the world. If the church forfeits its sanctifying influence, no earthly agent can restore it. Parallel teachings Matthew 5:13 and Luke 14:34 repeat the theme with another verb, but the context remains consistent: kingdom citizens can forfeit usefulness. Mark’s unique emphasis on peace (“be at peace with one another”) connects saltiness to relational harmony inside the believing community (Romans 14:19). A church divided is a church already drifting toward tastelessness. Historical background In first-century Galilee, salt from the Dead Sea could be contaminated with gypsum; exposure to moisture leached the true salt, leaving a residue that resembled salt yet lacked flavor. Listeners knew that such refuse was trampled underfoot, illustrating the destiny of a witness devoid of authenticity (Matthew 5:13b). Ministry applications • Personal holiness: regular self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5) guards against the subtle leaching of worldly compromise. Consistency across the canon From Levitical sacrifices to the Sermon on the Mount, Scripture consistently portrays salt as an emblem of enduring covenant service. Mark 9:50 integrates this heritage into Christian discipleship: the covenant people, now indwelt by the Spirit, must demonstrate the same incorruptible character that salt represented under the Old Covenant. Failure to do so results not in loss of identity, but in loss of effectiveness—a sober reminder that faithfulness is both privilege and obligation. Conclusion Strong’s 358 spotlights the tragic possibility of becoming “saltless.” By calling believers to retain their salt, Jesus summons His followers to unwavering purity, steadfast covenant loyalty, gracious witness, and wholehearted unity—qualities that preserve, flavor, and display the glory of God in a decaying world. Forms and Transliterations αναλον άναλον ἄναλον ο οι τη analon ánalonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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