[Greek] ἅλας (halas), [Latin] sal: salt, prudence, usefulness; Mt.5:13, Mk.9:50, Lk.14:34, Col.4:6
Background information:
Greek influences: This term means salt, briny, and sea. The Greek used salt as an important trading commodity throughout the Mediterrnean region. Salt’s importance is indicated by the expression “not worth one’s weight in salt”. In mythology Thalassa is the Greek goddess of the sea.
Roman influences: The trading of salt may have contributed to the origin and settlement of Rome. Soldiers received a salarirum [salary] (salt stipend) as part of their salary. Vegetables soaked in a briny salt solution (herba salata) was a very popular Roman dish. When salt eventually becomes useless, it is finally re-purposed as paving for roads. The Via Salarium, leading from Rome to the Adriatic coast, gets its salt form the salty marshes of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Salacia is the Roman goddess of the sea.
Old Testament: Salt, a symbol of endurance and value, has a religious significance in purifying, seasoning, and preserving. Salt was sprinkled on or mixed into sacrifices. The sacrificial ritual conveys the truths of the religious and moral world. Salt is linked with God, while corruption is associated with demons. Lasting covenants were made by eating bread with salt or salt alone. Being seasoned (salted) indicates worth, usefulness, character, and strength. Insipid salt becomes useless.
Can a thing insipid be eaten without salt? Is there flavor in the white of an egg? (Job 6:6). This fragrant powder, expertly prepared, is to be salted and so kept pure and sacred (Exo.30:35). Do not let the salt of the covenant of your God be lacking from your cereal offering (Lev.2:13). As for your birth, nor were you rubbed with salt, nor swathed in swaddling clothes (Eze.16:4). Do you know that the Lord, the God of Israel, has given the kingdom of Israel to David forever, to him and to his sons, by a covenant made in salt? (2Chr.13:5).
New Testament: Salt loses its cultic significance in the New Testament. The simile of salt conveys that the effective disciple is likened to seasoned salt. Salt indicates ones effectiveness, dedication, and moral character. Useless salt (losing flavor) is like a half-hearted disciple who becomes ineffective and worthless. Like a sacrifice, everyone will be seasoned and purified by fire (trials) in order to be more effective. One’s speech must be seasoned with salt (religious and moral character) in order to respond to each other. Insipid (bland) salt becomes useless and must be thrown out and trampled underfoot. Useless salt was ultimately used to pave roads.
Scripture:
“Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.” Mk.9:49-50
Each one of us will be seasoned and purified by trials in one form or another. Salt also defines one religious and moral character, and effectiveness.
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you should respond to each one.” Col.4:6
Our words and speech must be salted with kindness and consideration.
Halogen: Halogens include fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, an astatine. This term means salt-producing. When a halogen reacts with metals, they from a wide range of salts.
Conclusion:
Salt, salty, halogen
The use of salt in trading was very important in the Greek and Roman cultures. Trade commodities were often based on salt. This provides the basis for the expression “worth one’s weight in salt.” We also can thank the Romans for giving us salad and salsa. When salt finally becomes useless, it is used to pave roads.
In the Old Testament, I really did not understand the importance of salt in sacrifices, convenents, and contracts. Essentially, salt allows for a more effective and seasoned sacrifice.
In the New Testament, It was also interesting to note that salt loses its flavor (meaning) in its theological importance. Instead, salt comes to define man in his effectiveness, actions, and character. Essentially, an insipid (bland) disciple is an ineffective disciple.
I hope this post was able to pave the way to further understanding about salt in scripture.