Don't Forget the Salt!

Salt. In the ancient times when the Old Testament was being formed it is well documented that salt was seen and used for various reasons; primarily it was used as a preservative therefore in some cultures it was understood to be a holy product as it seemed to extend life as it were. Salt was frequently used in this time when a covenant was struck between two or more parties. This latter use should be placed in the context of Leviticus 2.13; Numbers 18.19; and 2 Chronicles 13.5 to better comprehend what in the world they are referring to. The Israelites—and anyone really--of the time, upon hearing the relationship of salt and the covenant, did not think it strange but understood the speaker’s words. Those involved in a covenant during this time were even known to consume salt to show and symbolize the eternality of the covenant being made.

In the context of Leviticus 2.13 it is important to understand what the LORD was doing. The offering in this context is a grain offering, one that was frequently brought to the place where the LORD dwelled; this offering could be brought in conjunction with other offerings or simply in its own; the grain or cereal offering was also an offering which could and was presented both by the richest of the people of Israel and the poorest. This offering is probably the easiest—financially and time wise—to bring to the LORD and all could do it! It is an interesting insertion then that the LORD says this offering should ALWAYS be accompanied with salt. As referenced before salt was used as a known symbol to remember and recognize covenants; not least of these was the covenant God made with the people of Israel: that God would be the god of the Israelites forever and that the Israelites would be forever God’s people.

It is on purpose that God says this and that the people of Israel followed His words. An offering that could be given daily by any class of people, perhaps the most COMMON and MUNDANE offering, was to carry with it a symbol and reminder of the eternal and most extraordinary covenant ever to exist on the Earth: the perfect divine Ruler, Creator and God relationally loving a highly insignificant and helpless creature, calling them His very own!