Strong's Lexicon melach: Salt Original Word: מְלַח Word Origin: From an unused root meaning to pulverize or disappear Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G217 (ἅλας, halas): Salt, used in the New Testament to convey similar symbolic meanings, such as in Matthew 5:13, "You are the salt of the earth." Usage: The Hebrew word "melach" primarily refers to salt, a mineral substance used for seasoning, preservation, and purification. In the Bible, salt is often symbolic of covenant, purity, and judgment. It is used both in literal contexts, such as seasoning food, and in metaphorical contexts, such as representing the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, salt was a valuable commodity due to its preservative and flavoring properties. It was essential for preserving food, especially in a time before refrigeration. Salt also held religious significance; it was used in offerings and covenants, symbolizing purity, loyalty, and the enduring nature of agreements. The "salt of the covenant" (Leviticus 2:13) signifies the perpetual and unbreakable nature of God's promises. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to melach Definition salt NASB Translation salt (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs מְלַח noun masculine salt (see Biblical Hebrew); — ׳מ absolute Ezra 6:9; Ezra 7:22 (both for sacrifices), construct Ezra 4:14. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance maintenance, salt (Aramaic) from mlach; salt -- + maintenance, salt. see HEBREW mlach Forms and Transliterations וּמְלַ֖ח ומלח מְלַ֣ח ׀ מְלַ֤ח מלח mə·laḥ meLach məlaḥ ū·mə·laḥ umeLach ūməlaḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:14 HEB: קֳבֵל֙ דִּֽי־ מְלַ֤ח הֵֽיכְלָא֙ מְלַ֔חְנָא INT: according to have maintenance of the palace the service Ezra 6:9 Ezra 7:22 3 Occurrences |