Topical Bible: Salt: Often Found: Near the Dead Sea

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Definition and Significance:
Salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl) and is essential for human life. In biblical times, salt was a valuable commodity used for seasoning, preservation, and religious rituals. Its significance extends beyond its physical properties, symbolizing purity, covenant, and judgment in the biblical narrative.

Biblical References and Symbolism:
Salt is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, often symbolizing permanence, loyalty, and purification. In the Old Testament, salt was used in various offerings and covenants. Leviticus 2:13 instructs, "You are to season each of your grain offerings with salt. You must not omit from your grain offering the salt of the covenant of your God; you are to add salt to each of your offerings." This verse highlights the importance of salt in maintaining the covenant between God and His people.

In the New Testament, Jesus refers to His followers as "the salt of the earth" in Matthew 5:13 : "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, with what will it be salted? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled by men." Here, salt symbolizes the preserving and purifying influence Christians are to have in the world.

Geographical Context:
Salt was often sourced from areas near the Dead Sea, known for its high salinity. The region's salt deposits were crucial for trade and daily life in ancient Israel. The Dead Sea, referred to as the Salt Sea in some biblical texts, is a significant geographical feature in the Bible. Genesis 14:3 mentions, "All these latter kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea)." The proximity of salt to the Dead Sea underscores its abundance and accessibility in the region.

Covenantal and Ritual Use:
Salt's role in covenants is emphasized in Numbers 18:19 : "All the holy contributions that the Israelites present to the LORD I give to you and your sons and daughters as a permanent statute. It is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD for you and your offspring." The "covenant of salt" signifies an enduring and unbreakable agreement, reflecting salt's preservative qualities.

In Ezekiel 43:24 , salt is used in purification rituals: "You are to present them before the LORD, and the priests are to sprinkle salt on them and offer them as a burnt offering to the LORD." This practice illustrates salt's role in sanctification and dedication to God.

Judgment and Destruction:
Salt also symbolizes judgment and desolation. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is marked by Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt as a consequence of her disobedience (Genesis 19:26). Additionally, Deuteronomy 29:23 describes the land's desolation: "The whole land will be a burning waste of salt and sulfur—nothing planted, nothing sprouting, no vegetation growing on it. It will be like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboyim, which the LORD overthrew in His fierce anger."

Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient cultures, salt was a symbol of hospitality and friendship. Sharing salt with someone was a sign of trust and alliance. This cultural understanding enriches the biblical metaphor of salt as a covenantal and relational element.

Conclusion:
Salt's multifaceted role in the Bible encompasses its practical uses and profound symbolic meanings. As a preservative, purifier, and symbol of covenant, salt remains a powerful metaphor for the enduring relationship between God and His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 34:12
And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea: this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 3:17
The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast thereof, from Chinnereth even to the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, under Ashdothpisgah eastward.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Chapter xiv
... The canons of criticism employed by critics are often so sharp ... so far from the south
end of the Salt See ... High," and this is a name of Yahweh, found indeed only ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

Jesus at Capernaum.
... deep, cut out of the rock, which Jesus often traversed, and ... this place, we cross
a stream of salt water (Ain ... Chorazin,[1] the first alone can be found at the ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter viii jesus at capernaum.htm

'The Waters Saw Thee; they were Afraid'
... sea of the plain, even the salt sea failed, and ... We too often make great leaders and
teachers in ... nouns, which grammatical purists have found difficult,"'the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the waters saw thee they.htm

Chapter xix
... eruption; nor do lava remains happen to be found in the ... that the name of God or Yahweh
is often used in ... back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xix.htm

The Swift Destroyer
... not so, my Lord: Behold now, Thy servant hath found grace in ... Yes, and we are often
quite as strange. ... of fiery bitumen fell from the black pall, salt mud poured ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the swift destroyer.htm

The Story of the Stranger at the Well
... the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost ... wondered that he had died so soon,
for often men lived ... But when he found that Jesus was really dead, he gave ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the stranger.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were wholly ... The later prose version of
the incident, found in Judges ... for the God of nature that is often lacking in ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

References
... dipped some of the bitter herbs into salt water or ... of the condition of its text has
been found. ... "After three days." This formula, which appears often in Mark ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/references.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... singled out at random from the middle of a province, would often be found to belong
to ... In very early times they are described as dwelling near Hebron or ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

"Something"
... they were finished, but a use was found even for ... the trench in its might, and sprinkled
a salt shower over ... what it foreboded; that sign is not often seen, but ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/wells/bible stories and religious classics/something.htm