Topical Bible: Salt: The City of Salt

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Topical Encyclopedia

The City of Salt is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the territorial boundaries of the tribe of Judah. It is referenced in the book of Joshua as part of the allotment of land given to the descendants of Judah. The mention of this city is brief, yet it holds significance in understanding the geographical and historical context of the biblical narrative.

Biblical Reference:

The City of Salt is mentioned in Joshua 15:62, which lists the cities in the wilderness area of Judah: "Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi—six cities with their villages" . This passage situates the City of Salt within the arid region near the Dead Sea, an area known for its harsh desert environment and mineral deposits, including salt.

Geographical Context:

The City of Salt is believed to have been located near the southern end of the Dead Sea, an area rich in salt and other minerals. The Dead Sea, known in Hebrew as the "Salt Sea," is one of the saltiest bodies of water on earth, and its surrounding region has been historically significant for its natural resources. The proximity of the City of Salt to this area suggests that it may have been involved in the production or trade of salt, a valuable commodity in ancient times.

Historical and Cultural Significance:

In ancient Israel, salt was an essential element for daily life, used for preserving food, seasoning, and in various religious rituals. The presence of a city named after this vital mineral underscores its importance in the region. Salt was also symbolic in biblical literature, representing purity, preservation, and covenant. For instance, Leviticus 2:13 instructs, "You are to season each of your grain offerings with salt. You must not omit from your grain offering the salt of the covenant of your God; you are to add salt to each of your offerings" .

The City of Salt, therefore, may have been more than just a geographical location; it could have been a center for the collection and distribution of salt, contributing to the economic and ritual life of the Israelites.

Archaeological Insights:

While the exact location of the City of Salt remains uncertain, archaeological studies in the region have uncovered evidence of ancient settlements and industrial activities related to salt production. These findings provide a glimpse into the life and economy of the people who lived in this harsh yet resource-rich environment.

Theological Implications:

The mention of the City of Salt in the Bible serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual aspects of life in ancient Israel. The use of salt in religious practices highlights its role as a symbol of the enduring covenant between God and His people. The City of Salt, therefore, is not only a historical location but also a testament to the broader themes of faithfulness and provision found throughout Scripture.

Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 15:62
And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.
Nave's Topical Index

Strong's Hebrew

5898. Ir Hammelach -- "city of salt," a place in the Judean desert
... Ir Hammelach. 5899 . "city of salt," a place in the Judean desert. Transliteration:
Ir Hammelach Phonetic Spelling: (eer ham-meh'-lakh) Short Definition: Salt ...
/hebrew/5898.htm - 6k

Library

The Salt and the Light of the World.
... Therefore, having warned the human salt to look to itself that it be indeed salt,
he proceeds: 'Ye are the light of the world, a city, a candle,' and so ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/the salt and the light.htm

The Healing of the Waters
... the city and the surrounding district, was now unfit for use. In response to the
plea of the men of Jericho, Elisha said, "Bring me a new cruse, and put salt ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 18 the healing of.htm

Chapter vi.
... the earth, or even the sinners, for the preserving of whom and for the extinguishing
of whose corruptions the Lord sent the apostolic salt. ... 57] "A city that is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter vi.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... It also teaches"as does experience"that a disciple may lose those qualities which
make him salt.] 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 3.htm

The Kingdom of God and Your Part in It
... but the very place where the salt ought not to be is beside the salt. ... They had studied
the city, and the workingmen were astonished at how much the young ...
/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/vi the kingdom of god.htm

The Sea of Sodom
... doctors one saith, That he devoted the moneys of idolatry into the salt sea." Hence ...
indeed, do mention a certain Zoar, which they also call, "The City of Palms ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 5 the sea of.htm

The Sin of Unbelief
... The one grain of salt preserved the entire city; the one warrior for God was the
means of the deliverance of the whole beleaguered multitude. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the sin of unbelief.htm

A Life for a Life
... You put salt upon meat and salt upon fish to prevent them from becoming rotten,
and it is the Christian men and women in the city and in the country who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/a life for a life/a life for a life.htm

Gentleness Succeeding Strength
... of the malediction; for men would not be so foolish as to rebuild a city which had ...
The new cruse and the salt are emblems of the divine gift which cleanses the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gentleness succeeding strength.htm

The Kingdom of Christ
... there. It was to be the salt of the earth, the light of the world, the
city set on a hill, which could not be hid. From Jerusalem ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xxiii the kingdom of christ.htm