Definition and Composition:
Nitre, referred to in the Bible, is commonly understood to be a naturally occurring mineral substance, which in ancient times was used for cleaning and purification purposes. The term "nitre" in the biblical context is often associated with what we know today as sodium carbonate or a similar alkaline substance. It is important to note that the "nitre" mentioned in the Bible is not the same as the modern chemical compound potassium nitrate, also known as saltpeter.

Biblical References:
Nitre is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Proverbs. The reference highlights its cleansing properties, which were well-known in the ancient world.

· Proverbs 25:20 : "Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on nitre is one who sings songs to a heavy heart."

In this verse, the reaction between vinegar and nitre is used metaphorically to describe an inappropriate or counterproductive action. When vinegar is poured on nitre, it produces a fizzing reaction, symbolizing agitation or disturbance. This imagery is used to illustrate the effect of singing cheerful songs to someone who is sorrowful, suggesting that it may exacerbate rather than alleviate their distress.

Historical and Cultural Context:
In ancient times, nitre was harvested from natural deposits found in dry lake beds and riverbanks, particularly in regions like Egypt and the Dead Sea area. It was a valuable commodity used in various applications, including as a cleaning agent for clothes and as a component in the production of glass and soap.

The use of nitre in cleansing aligns with the biblical theme of purification, both physical and spiritual. The Israelites, familiar with the properties of nitre, would have understood its significance in the context of purification rituals and daily life.

Symbolism and Interpretation:
The mention of nitre in Proverbs serves as a vivid illustration of the importance of understanding and empathy in human interactions. Just as the wrong combination of substances can lead to an undesirable reaction, so too can insensitivity or misjudgment in dealing with others' emotions lead to discord.

From a theological perspective, the use of nitre as a metaphor underscores the biblical principle of wisdom in communication and the need for discernment in offering comfort and support to those in distress. It reflects the broader biblical teaching on the power of words and actions to heal or harm, as seen in passages like Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

Conclusion:
While nitre itself is a simple mineral, its mention in the Bible carries rich symbolic meaning, illustrating the timeless wisdom found in Scripture regarding human relationships and the pursuit of righteousness.(Proverbs 25:20; R.V. marg., "soda"), properly "natron," a substance so called because, rising from the bottom of the Lake Natron in Egypt, it becomes dry and hard in the sun, and is the soda which effervesces when vinegar is poured on it. It is a carbonate of soda, not saltpetre, which the word generally denotes (Jeremiah 2:22; R.V. "lye"). 1. (n.) A white crystalline semitransparent salt; potassium nitrate; saltpeter. See Saltpeter.

2. (n.) Native sodium carbonate; natron.

3. (n.) See Niter.

NITRE

ni'-ter (nether; nitron): Nitre as used in the King James Version does not correspond to the present use of that term. Nitre or niter is now applied to sodium or potassium nitrate. The writer has in his collection a specimen of sodium carbonate, called in Arabic naTrun, which was taken from the extensive deposits in Lower Egypt where it is found as a deposit underneath a layer of common salt. Similar deposits are found in Syria and Asia Minor. This is probably the "nitre" of the Bible. the American Standard Revised Version has rendered niter "lye" in Jeremiah 2:22, and "soda" in Proverbs 25:20. Soda or lye has been used as a cleansing agent from earliest times. It effervesces energetically, when treated with an acid; hence, the comparison in Proverbs 25:20 of the heavy-hearted man roiled by the sound of singing to the sizzling of soda on which vinegar has been poured.

See VINEGAR.

James A. Patch

5427. nether -- natron or carbonate of soda
... nitre. From nathar; mineral potash (so called from effervescing with acid) -- nitre.
see HEBREW nathar. 5426, 5427. nether. 5428 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5427.htm - 6k

The Burning ??sculapius; Tricks with Fire.
... lays his hand upon the cauldron of pitch, [250] which is in, as it were, a boiling
state; and throwing in (at the same time) vinegar and nitre and moist pitch ...
/.../chapter xxxiii the burning aesculapius tricks.htm

His Earliest Oracles. (ii. 2-iv. 4. )
... Yea, though thou scour thee with nitre, 22 And heap to thee lye, Ingrained is thy
guilt before Me, Rede of the Lord, thy God.(156) How sayest thou, "I'm not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 his earliest oracles ii.htm

The Blood of Sprinkling
... sacrifice. The blood cleanses, not like the prophet's "nitre and much soap,"
but by making us partakers of the death of the Substitute. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter v the blood of.htm

Wisdom Brevities
... As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, And as vinegar upon nitre,
So is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. * * *. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/wisdom brevities.htm

The Peaceable Fruits of Sorrows Rightly Borne
... They were chillingly didactic, and it is vinegar upon nitre to stand over an
agonised soul and preach platitudes in an unsympathetic voice. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the peaceable fruits of sorrows.htm

But Perhaps You Say, "Why did not the Apostles Enjoin These Things ...
... Let her be washed with the nitre of heavenly doctrine, and purified by all spiritual
lavements. [214] Let no stain of malice or sin be left in her. ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xiii but perhaps you.htm

Concerning the Monks of Nitria, and the Monasteries Called Cells ...
... It is inhabited by a great number of persons devoted to a life of philosophy, and
derives its name from its vicinity to a village in which nitre is gathered. ...
/.../chapter xxxi concerning the monks of.htm

Christ's Encouragements
... be forgiven thee,' they are only chattering nonsense, and singing songs to a heavy
heart which will make an effervescence 'like vinegar on nitre,' when they ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/christs encouragements.htm

"All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as ...
... Well, all is uncleanness, since your persons were once unclean,"no soap nor nitre
can wash it, no holy flesh make it holy, no good wishes nor duties can make ...
/.../the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvi all our righteousnesses.htm

Washed to Greater Foulness
... If I "make my hands never so clean," is an expression peculiarly racy in the
original. The Hebrew word has an allusion to soap or nitre. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/washed to greater foulness.htm

Nitre (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NITRE. ni'-ter (nether; nitron): Nitre as used
in the King James Version does not correspond to the present use of that term. ...
/n/nitre.htm - 9k

Fuller's (4 Occurrences)
... Mention is made (Proverbs 25:20; Jeremiah 2:22) of nitre and also (Malachi 3:2)
of soap (Hebrews borith) used by the fuller in his operations. ...
/f/fuller's.htm - 11k

No (18543 Occurrences)

/n/no.htm - 9k

Vinegar (11 Occurrences)
... The comparison, "vinegar upon nitre," probably means "vinegar upon soda" (as in
the marg. of the RV), which then effervesces. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/v/vinegar.htm - 13k

Niter (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Alt. of Nitre. Multi-Version Concordance
Niter (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 2:22 For though thou shalt ...
/n/niter.htm - 6k

Medicine (4 Occurrences)
... 12:5 margin), myrrh, anise, rue, cummin, the "oil and wine" of the Good Samaritan,
soap and sodic carbonate ("natron," called by mistake "nitre") as cleansers ...
/m/medicine.htm - 11k

Potash (1 Occurrence)
... Jeremiah 2:22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much potash, thine
iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord Jehovah. (DBY). ...
/p/potash.htm - 7k

Singer (5 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 25:20 Whoso is taking away a garment in a cold day, 'Is as' vinegar
on nitre, And a singer of songs on a sad heart. (YLT). ...
/s/singer.htm - 8k

Singeth (6 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 25:20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar
upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. ...
/s/singeth.htm - 7k

Affirmation (335 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 2:22 But though thou dost wash with nitre, And dost multiply to thyself
soap, Marked is thine iniquity before Me, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah. ...
/a/affirmation.htm - 39k

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