Strong's Lexicon halas and hala: Salt Original Word: ἅλας Word Origin: Derived from the root word ἅλς (hals), meaning "salt." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - Strong's Hebrew 4417: מֶלַח (melach) - Salt - Strong's Hebrew 4418: מִלְחָה (milchah) - Saltiness, saltness Usage: In the New Testament, "halas" is used to refer to salt, both in its literal sense as a seasoning and preservative, and metaphorically to describe qualities of purity, preservation, and wisdom. Salt is a vital element in the ancient world, symbolizing covenant, loyalty, and the enduring nature of God's promises. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient times, salt was a valuable commodity, essential for preserving food and enhancing flavor. It was often used in religious rituals and covenants, symbolizing purification and the enduring nature of agreements. The "covenant of salt" mentioned in the Old Testament (e.g., Numbers 18:19) signifies a perpetual and unbreakable covenant. In the Greco-Roman world, salt was also associated with wisdom and wit, as it was believed to add flavor to conversation and life. HELPS Word-studies 217 hálas – salt; (figuratively) God preserving and seasoning a believer as they grow, i.e. in loving the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, strength and in all their relationships (cf. Mk 12:30,31). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hals Definition salt NASB Translation salt (8). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 217: ἅλα[ἅλα, τό, read by Tdf. in Matthew 5:13; Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34; see ἅλας.] STRONGS NT 217: ἅλαςἅλας, (ατος, τό (a later form, found in the Sept. and N. T. (Aristotle, de mirab, ause. § 138; Plutarch, qu. conv. 4:4, 3, 3), cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. i., p. 220; dative ἅλατι Colossians 4:6), and ἅλς, ἁλός, ὁ (the classic form (from Homer down); Sir. 22:15 (13); 1. Salt with which food is seasoned and sacrifices are sprinkled: Mark 9:49 R G; cf. ἁλίζω. 2. ἅλας τῆς γῆς, those kinds of saline matter used to fertilize arable land, Matthew 5:13{a}; here salt as a condiment cannot be understood, since this renders land sterile (Deuteronomy 29:23; Zephaniah 2:9; Judges 9:45); cf. Grohmann in Kauffer's Biblical Studien, 1844, p. 82ff The meaning is, 'It is your prerogative to impart to mankind (likened to arable land) the influences required for a life of devotion to God.' In the statement immediately following, ἐάν δέ ἅλας κτλ., the comparison seems to be drawn from salt as a condiment, so that two figures are blended; (but it is better to adopt this latter meaning throughout the passage, and take γῆ to denote the mass of mankind, see under the word, 4 b. and cf. Tholuck and others at the passage). In Mark 9:50{a} and Luke 14:34 salt is a symbol of that health and vigor of soul which is essential to Christian virtue; (cf. Meyer on the former passage). 3. Salt is a symbol of lasting concord, Mark 9:50{c}, because it protects food from putrefaction and preserves it unchanged. Accordingly, in the solemn ratification of compacts, the Orientals were, and are to this day, accustomed to partake of salt together. Cf. Winers RWB under the word Salz; (BB. DD. under the word STRONGS NT 217a: ἌλασσαἌλασσα: Acts 27:8; cf.Λασαία. From hals; salt; figuratively, prudence -- salt. see GREEK hals Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:13 N-NNSGRK: ἐστὲ τὸ ἅλας τῆς γῆς NAS: You are the salt of the earth; but if KJV: Ye are the salt of the earth: but INT: are the salt of the earth Matthew 5:13 N-NNS Mark 9:50 N-NNS Mark 9:50 N-NNS Mark 9:50 N-ANS Luke 14:34 N-NNS Luke 14:34 N-NNS Colossians 4:6 N-DNS Strong's Greek 217 |
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