Salt: The Valley of Salt
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Topical Encyclopedia
The Valley of Salt is a significant geographical and historical location mentioned in the Bible, primarily in the context of military victories by the Israelites. This valley is traditionally identified with the area south of the Dead Sea, known for its salt deposits and arid landscape. The Valley of Salt serves as a backdrop for key events in the biblical narrative, highlighting God's deliverance and the fulfillment of His promises to His people.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Samuel 8:13 : "And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt." This passage records one of King David's military victories, emphasizing his role as a divinely appointed leader who secured Israel's borders and established peace through God's guidance.

2. 1 Chronicles 18:12 : "Moreover, Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt." This account parallels the one in 2 Samuel, attributing the victory to Abishai, David's commander, and underscoring the collective effort of David's administration in achieving military success.

3. 2 Kings 14:7 : "Amaziah struck down ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and captured Sela in battle. He called it Joktheel, which is its name to this day." This verse recounts the victory of King Amaziah of Judah over the Edomites, demonstrating the ongoing conflict between Israel and Edom and the continued importance of the Valley of Salt as a strategic location.

4. Psalm 60:1 Title: "For the choirmaster. To the tune of 'The Lily of the Covenant.' A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, and Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt." This psalm's title references the Valley of Salt in the context of a broader military campaign, serving as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the need for divine intervention in times of national crisis.

Historical and Theological Significance:

The Valley of Salt is emblematic of God's faithfulness to Israel in granting them victory over their enemies. The repeated mention of this location in the context of military triumphs underscores the importance of divine support in achieving success. The victories in the Valley of Salt are not merely historical events but are seen as manifestations of God's covenantal promises to His people, ensuring their survival and prosperity in the Promised Land.

Theologically, the Valley of Salt serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the necessity of reliance on God. The victories achieved there are attributed to God's intervention, reinforcing the biblical theme that human strength and strategy are insufficient without divine blessing. The accounts of battles in the Valley of Salt also highlight the ongoing struggle between Israel and Edom, a conflict rooted in the ancestral enmity between Jacob and Esau.

In summary, the Valley of Salt is a testament to God's enduring commitment to His people, providing them with victory and security in the face of formidable adversaries. The biblical narratives associated with this location continue to inspire faith and trust in God's providential care and His ability to deliver His people from their foes.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Samuel 8:13
And David got him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 14:7
He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel to this day.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Psalm LX.
... unto teaching for David himself, when he burned up Mesopotamia in Syria, and Syria
Sobal, and turned Joab, and smote Edom, in the valley of salt-pits twelve ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lx.htm

The Healing of the Waters
... of the valley an oasis of beauty. Many are the spiritual lessons to be gathered
from the story of the healing of the waters. The new cruse, the salt, the spring ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 18 the healing of.htm

Psalm 60
... Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aram-naharaim, and with Aram-zobah,
when Joab returned and smote of Edom, in the valley of Salt, twelve thousand ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 60.htm

Gentleness Succeeding Strength
... the Spirit of the Lord hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into
some valley. ... And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gentleness succeeding strength.htm

Epistle xxxii. To Anastasius, Presbyter .
... it is written; He hath laid down ascents in the heart, in the valley of tears ... The
Truth also in person says, Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with ...
/.../epistle xxxii to anastasius presbyter.htm

The Kingdom of Christ
... salt of the world, meant to help it all from decay; but the salt had lost ... Three thousand
crosses would stand at one time in the valley below with a living man ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xxiii the kingdom of christ.htm

Chapter xiv
... 370 b). 3. All these allied themselves for an expedition to the valley
of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). Though the construction ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

What the Flowers Say.
... in a certain place, some up high on the hills, others down low in the valley; some
in ... to them, "Now I want one of you men to be a little pinch of salt in this ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lxi what the flowers.htm

Happy Pilgrims
... in Thee; in whose heart are the highways to Zion.6. Passing through the valley of
Weeping ... On any lower level it is perfectly true that the very salt of life is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/happy pilgrims.htm

Offenses
... Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another." Mark 9:38-50 (RV) ... and
half spoiled, and going complete to Gehenna, to the charnel valley where the ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 9 38-50 offenses.htm

Resources
What is a salt covenant? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He described His followers as the salt of the earth? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that believers are to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16)? | GotQuestions.org

Salt: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Salt

Salt of Grace in the Heart

Salt of Saints

Salt of the Saving Efficacy of the Ekklesia of Christ

Salt of Wisdom in Speech

Salt of Wise Behavior

Salt Sea

Salt Sea or Dead Sea

Salt used for Ratifying Covenants

Salt used for Seasoning Food

Salt used for Seasoning Sacrifices

Salt used for Strengthening New-Born Infants

Salt used in Ratifying Covenants

Salt: (Pits of) Desolation

Salt: (Salted With Fire) Preparation of the Wicked For

Salt: (Without Savour) Graceless Professors

Salt: All Animal Sacrifices Were Required to be Seasoned With

Salt: Characterised As Good and Useful

Salt: Elisha Throws, Into the Pool of Jericho, to Purify It

Salt: Liberally Afforded to the Jews After the Captivity

Salt: Lost Its Savour when Exposed to the Air

Salt: Lot's Wife Turned Into a Pillar of

Salt: Miracles Connected With: Elisha Healed the Bad Water With

Salt: Miracles Connected With: Lot's Wife Turned Into a Pillar of

Salt: Often Found in Pits

Salt: Often Found in Springs

Salt: Often Found: Near the Dead Sea

Salt: Partaking of Another's a Bond of Friendship

Salt: Places Sown With, to Denote Perpetual Desolation

Salt: Places where It Abounded Barren and Unfruitful

Salt: Salt Pits

Salt: Salt Sea

Salt: The City of Salt

Salt: The Valley of Salt

Salt: The Valley of, Celebrated for Victories

Related Terms

Salt-sea (3 Occurrences)

Salt-wort (1 Occurrence)

Salt-pits (1 Occurrence)

Saltness (3 Occurrences)

Salty (4 Occurrences)

Tasteless (4 Occurrences)

Salted (6 Occurrences)

Lost (85 Occurrences)

Loses (17 Occurrences)

Wherewith (182 Occurrences)

Saltiness (3 Occurrences)

Becomes (138 Occurrences)

Seasoned (6 Occurrences)

Flavor (2 Occurrences)

Restored (77 Occurrences)

Saltless (1 Occurrence)

Siddim (3 Occurrences)

Pillar (72 Occurrences)

Goes (472 Occurrences)

Mallows (2 Occurrences)

Boundary (83 Occurrences)

Season (101 Occurrences)

Edomites (22 Occurrences)

Unsalty (1 Occurrence)

Oblations (24 Occurrences)

Insipid (3 Occurrences)

Telmelah (2 Occurrences)

Tel-melah (2 Occurrences)

E'domites (13 Occurrences)

Eastern (22 Occurrences)

Meat-offering (111 Occurrences)

Meal-offering (120 Occurrences)

Barrenness (3 Occurrences)

Crushed (199 Occurrences)

Cereal (124 Occurrences)

Corn (107 Occurrences)

Southern (9 Occurrences)

Saltwort

Bay (8 Occurrences)

Lacking (53 Occurrences)

Within (400 Occurrences)

Oblation (208 Occurrences)

Eastward (72 Occurrences)

Fresh (41 Occurrences)

Yourselves (530 Occurrences)

Savour (52 Occurrences)

Add (135 Occurrences)

Extremity (46 Occurrences)

Vale (20 Occurrences)

Gilead (130 Occurrences)

Savor (51 Occurrences)

Peace (523 Occurrences)

Barren (44 Occurrences)

Limit (115 Occurrences)

Lot (145 Occurrences)

Sela (5 Occurrences)

Cease (138 Occurrences)

Arabah (32 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Nitre (2 Occurrences)

Nothing (769 Occurrences)

Nibshan (1 Occurrence)

Northern (18 Occurrences)

Unproductive (5 Occurrences)

Joktheel (2 Occurrences)

Lick (8 Occurrences)

Lose (59 Occurrences)

Longer (373 Occurrences)

Inlet (4 Occurrences)

Flat (33 Occurrences)

Fit (47 Occurrences)

Thrown (126 Occurrences)

Tanner (3 Occurrences)

Trampled (41 Occurrences)

Thenceforth (11 Occurrences)

Trodden (42 Occurrences)

Regain (12 Occurrences)

Salt: The City of Salt
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