The Covenant of Salt

The Covenant of Salt refers to an “unbreakable covenant.” In the ancient Middle East’s hot climate, salt was used to preserve food for long periods because its antiseptic properties eliminated microbes that caused spoilage. It also served to flavor, clean, and prevent fermentation. Therefore, in Israelite tradition, salt symbolized “endurance” and was a sign of something that “would never perish.” When a covenant was made, both parties would eat salt as a concluding ritual, symbolizing the long-term validity of the terms and that neither side could break the agreement.

In the Bible, the Covenant of Salt refers to God’s eternal covenant with David and His promise that the Levites would have an enduring inheritance.

The Bible records:

[Leviticus 2:13] You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant of your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.

[Numbers 18:19] All the holy contributions that the people of Israel present to the Lord I give to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual due. It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord for you and your offspring with you.

[2 Chronicles 13:5] Ought you not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingship over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt?