Covenant of Salt* — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Biblical phrase for a two-way agreement, the inviolability of which was symbolized by salt. A Middle Eastern saying, “There is bread and salt between us,” meant that a relationship had been confirmed by sharing a meal. Salt symbolized the life and enduring nature of the alliance. In the OT salt appears in the relationship between God and Israel (Lv 2:13). As a purifying agent and preservative in the cereal offering, salt symbolized the indissoluble nature of the covenant between God and Israel.

Show passage in OET: LEV 2:13

OET-RV LEV 2:13

13 However, every grain offering must be salted—the salt in the grain offering is a reminder of our agreement, so it must always be present.

OET-LV LEV 2:13

13 And_all present _of your _grain _offering _of_your with_salt you _will _salt and_not you _must _cause _to _cease the _salt _of the _covenant _of your(pl)_god _of_your from_under offering _of_your _grain with every _of present _of_your you _will _present salt.

Jump to OET LEV 2:13 section.

An everlasting “covenant of salt” (Nm 18:19) was made between God and Aaron, who represented the whole priesthood of Israel. Since the Levites received no inheritance in the Promised Land, God himself was to be their special portion forever. God’s covenant with King David and his sons was also called a covenant of salt (2 Chr 13:5).

Show passage in OET: NUM 18:19

OET-RV NUM 18:19

19 All sacred donations by the Israelis, I’ve permanently given to you and your children to eat—it’s an irrevocable agreement with Yahweh for you and your future ancestors.”

OET-LV NUM 18:19

19 All _of the _contributions _of the _holy _gifts which the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) they _will _offer _up to/for_YHWH I _give to/for_yourself(m) and_to_sons _of_your and_to_daughters _of_your with_you to_a _prescribed _portion _of perpetuity is_a _covenant _of salt _of perpetuity it to_(the)_face _of/in _front _of/before YHWH to/for_yourself(m) and_to_offspring _of_your with_you.

Show passage in OET: CH2 13:5

OET-RV CH2 13:5

5 Don’t you all understand that Yisrael’s god Yahweh made a formal agreement that the kingdom of Yisrael was given forever to David and his descendants?

OET-LV CH2 13:5

5 Not to/for_you(pl) to_know if/because _that YHWH the _god _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) he _has _given kingship to_Dāvid over Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) forever_perpetuity to_him/it and_to_descendants _of_his a _covenant _of salt.

Jump to OET NUM 18:19 section.

Jump to OET CH2 13:5 section.