Portal:Bible/Featured article/October, 2006
The role of Salt in the Bible is relevant to understanding Hebrew society during the Old Testament and New Testament periods. Salt is a necessity of life and was a mineral that was used in Biblical times as a seasoning, a preservative, a disinfectant, a component of ceremonial offerings, and as a unit of exchange. The Bible contains numerous references to salt. In various contexts, it is used metaphorically to signify permanence, loyalty, durability, fidelity, usefulness, value, and purification.
Salt in the Old Testament: The Hebrew people harvested salt by pouring sea water into pits and letting the water evaporate until only salt was left. Salt had a significant place in Hebrew worship, (Leviticus 2:13, Ezekiel 43:24, Ezra 6:9) and was part of the incense (Exodus 30:35). Salt was used to ratify covenants (Numbers 18:19, 2 Chronicles 13:5).
Salt in the New Testament: The Salt and Light metaphors in the Sermon on the Mount include a direct reference to salt (Matthew 5:13, Luke 14:34-35, Mark 9:49-50). Jesus calls his disciples (and, perhaps, the crowds listening to the Sermon on the Mount), "the salt of the earth." He may be exhorting them to usefulness, or to fidelity, or referring to their role in purifying the world. In Roman times, salt was an important item of trade and was even used as money. Roman soldiers received part of their pay in salt. "Salt of the Earth" may, in this context, refer to the listeners' value. The reference to Jesus' followers being "salted with fire" in Mark 9:49 may refer, in part, to the purifying effect of salt in Jewish liturgical use. In Colossians 4:6, Paul exhorts, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you should respond to each one."