I have many times blessed the land with salt as I have prayed. We need salt in our lives.
It represents Covenant & Sacrifice (of praise) to me.
To me it represents the importance of a Salt Covenant in the bible.
A Covenant that last forever.
There is an example of how Creator-God blessed a land that had prayers and a salt covenant on it. Around 2 years ago there was a major fire up the McKenzie River, where several houses/buildings were burned down. A couple had been hosting worship on their land for a couple of years. Some of the prophets got a word of knowledge to put salt around the couples land and pray over it. When the fire came it did not touch the buildings on their land or the area of worship (where the salt had been placed). The fire marshal told them this was unheard of and they had never seen this before.
For me this was a Covenant to Creator–God that was placed as a symbol on their land.
The Covenant of Salt is an ancient covenant mentioned in the Old Testament. It was a means of sealing a covenant or agreement between parties. It was a required part of grain offerings, and in fact every offering (Lev. 2:13).
According to 2 Chronicles 13:5, the kingdom was given to David by a Covenant of Salt.
Colossians 4:6 says our speech is to be seasoned with salt.
Salt is essential to life; it heals; preserves, protects, adds flavor or ‘zest’ to food. Symbol of Covenant.
People in Bible times appreciated the value of salt and it was a required part of sacrifices.
There was a close connection between salt and promises. When men ate together they became friends.
For example, the Arabic expression, “There is salt between us” and “He has eaten of my salt,” both represent the cementing of a friendship.
Covenants were generally confirmed by sacrificial meals and salt was always present as a symbol of the enduring covenant.
The custom of pledging friendship and confirming a compact by eating food-containing salt is still in practice among Arabic-speaking people. The Arabic word for “salt” and for a “compact” or “treaty” is the same. Once even his worst enemy has eaten salt (food) with him, an Arab is bound to protect his guest as long as he remains.
Marriage ceremonies used to last for up to 10 days. They came together every day for a half-hour to listen and repeat the instructions of the priest. After 10 days the groom promised to love and cherish his wife forever, the bride promises to accept the husband in her life, to love and serve him as her Lord. Then salt is brought in and they partake of the Covenant of Salt.
An example of what the minister might say while administering the salt covenant is:
“Because Groom and Bride desire to seal this commitment between each other and God, they are giving each other permission to hold each other accountable to the promises made here today. Because they want to preserve these promises, they will now partake of the Covenant of Salt.”
The Bride and Groom take the forefingers of their right hands, dip it into water from a dish or bowl and then put their finger in the salt that is provided in a separate container. They then put the salt in their spouse’s mouth (usually on their tongue as they open their mouths). Just before the salt is put in the mouth, the one receiving the salt says:
“In the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, I agree to do all that I promise for my (husband/wife), so help me God.”
God's Salt Covenant (Hebrew, b'rith melah), is the most extraordinary of all HIS Covenants. It is symbolic of endurance, preservation, and freedom from corruption. It is a perfect picture of our CREATOR, and it is sprinkled liberally on HIS Ancient Path to preserve it and keep it pure.
The Salt Covenant is rich in spiritual symbolism, and so important that for those who can see, it is visually demonstrated by the salting of the Temple sacrifices, which was to perpetually remind the faithful of their solemn Covenant responsibility to YHWH (Num.18:19).
YHWH instructed the Israelites that every sacrifice, including grain offerings, was to be seasoned with salt as a sign of their Covenant with HIM (Lev. 2:13, Ezek. 43:23-24). Even the Holy ingredients used for the incense offering were to have salt added. "You shall make of these an incense, a compound according to the art of the perfumer, salted, pure and holy" (Ex. 30:34-35). Salt, like the rainbow, is a sign of our CREATOR.
Traditionally, salt was shared to seal a truce between former enemies or as a symbol of alliance between close friends.
Treaties or friendships were often formalized by the partaking of a lick of salt to seal the deal or heal the difference between them.
Entering into a Covenant of Salt means binding oneself to another in utmost loyalty and truthfulness, even suffering death, rather than breaking the covenant.
For this very reason a Covenant of Salt was never done lightly or haphazardly – it deserves serious respect.
To the ancient Hebrews, salt represented purification, and was also symbolic of enduring friendship, honesty, and loyalty (2Kin.2:19 -21; 2Chr.13:5).
Today some Eastern people still use the phrase: “There is salt between us.” Having no salt, meant disloyalty and barrenness.
Deb Miller Robinson – Eagle Warrior
Revised 7-20-2022