Figures of Speech in the Bible

Salt Imagery in the Bible

Salt imagery uses seasoning, preservation, covenant salt, and salt losing savor to describe covenant permanence, holy witness, judgment, and gracious speech.

Simple definition

Salt imagery uses seasoning, preservation, covenant salt, and salt losing savor to describe covenant permanence, holy witness, judgment, and gracious speech.

Technical nameSalt/covenant-seasoning imagery
Alternate namesCovenant of salt; seasoning imagery; preserving salt imagery
Reader categoryDiscipleship and covenant / Preserving imagery
Bullinger classBiblical imagery and motif forms
Source hintDraft-normalized salt imagery; verify cultic, covenantal, judgment, and discipleship uses separately.
Examples on page10

Technical definition

A covenantal and discipleship imagery pattern in which salt functions as sign of covenant permanence, sacrificial seasoning, preserving witness, distinctiveness, warning, or wise and gracious speech.

Publication note: Examples are curated from the final Wave 46 source state. Some examples carry review notes where final Bible-text stream verification may still be prudent before public release.

Scripture examples

These examples show how Salt Imagery functions in biblical language, rhetoric, poetry, prophecy, narrative, or theological imagery.

Lev. 2:13
certain

salt of the covenant

Salt imagery marks covenant permanence and required seasoning in offerings.

Source: Draft-normalized Gospel/kingdom/discipleship imagery review — Wave 21, Salt Imagery
Verify against final site Bible text stream before publication.
Num. 18:19
certain

covenant of salt forever

Salt imagery signifies enduring covenant grant and stability.

Source: Draft-normalized Gospel/kingdom/discipleship imagery review — Wave 21, Salt Imagery
Verify against final site Bible text stream before publication.
2 Chr. 13:5
certain

kingdom by a covenant of salt

Salt imagery expresses durability of the Davidic covenant claim.

Source: Draft-normalized Gospel/kingdom/discipleship imagery review — Wave 21, Salt Imagery
Verify against final site Bible text stream before publication.
Job 6:6
certain

that which is unsavoury without salt

Salt imagery is used in ordinary experience to speak of tastelessness and complaint.

Source: Draft-normalized Gospel/kingdom/discipleship imagery review — Wave 21, Salt Imagery
Verify against final site Bible text stream before publication.
Ezek. 43:24
certain

priests shall cast salt upon them

Salt imagery appears in restored-temple sacrificial procedure.

Source: Draft-normalized Gospel/kingdom/discipleship imagery review — Wave 21, Salt Imagery
Verify against final site Bible text stream before publication.
Matt. 5:13
certain

you are the salt of the earth

Salt imagery describes disciples’ preserving and distinctive witness, with warning against uselessness.

Source: Draft-normalized Gospel/kingdom/discipleship imagery review — Wave 21, Salt Imagery
Verify against final site Bible text stream before publication.
Mark 9:49-50
certain

have salt in yourselves

Salt imagery is tied to purification, peace, and discipleship seriousness.

Source: Draft-normalized Gospel/kingdom/discipleship imagery review — Wave 21, Salt Imagery
Verify against final site Bible text stream before publication.
Luke 14:34-35
certain

salt that has lost its savor

Salt imagery warns of discipleship that becomes useless.

Source: Draft-normalized Gospel/kingdom/discipleship imagery review — Wave 21, Salt Imagery
Verify against final site Bible text stream before publication.
Col. 4:6
certain

speech seasoned with salt

Salt imagery describes gracious, wise, and fitting speech toward outsiders.

Source: Draft-normalized Gospel/kingdom/discipleship imagery review — Wave 21, Salt Imagery
Verify against final site Bible text stream before publication.
Jas. 3:12
certain

salt water and fresh

Salt imagery supports the argument that inconsistent speech reveals disorder.

Source: Draft-normalized Gospel/kingdom/discipleship imagery review — Wave 21, Salt Imagery
Verify against final site Bible text stream before publication.

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