Log inSign up

Leviticus 2 · a question people ask

What is "the salt of the covenant"?

In the text

Leviticus doesn't explain it. It says only that it must never be missing: "You shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your meal offering" (2:13). Two other verses speak of "a covenant of salt". The priests' share of the holy offerings is "a covenant of salt forever before the LORD to you and to your offspring with you" (Numbers 18:19). And "the LORD, the God of Israel, gave the kingdom over Israel to David forever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt" (2 Chronicles 13:5). Both verses say "forever". None of the three verses says why salt is used.

The verses

“Every offering of your meal offering you shall season with salt. You shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your meal offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.”
Leviticus 2:13 · World English Bible
“All the wave offerings of the holy things which the children of Israel offer to the LORD, I have given you and your sons and your daughters with you, as a portion forever. It is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD to you and to your offspring with you.””
Numbers 18:19 · World English Bible
“Ought you not to know that the LORD, the God of Israel, gave the kingdom over Israel to David forever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?”
2 Chronicles 13:5 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Leviticus 2

Leviticus 2: A handful on the fire

The meal offering is a minchah, the word for Cain's and Abel's offerings (Genesis 4:3-5). Only a handful, its "memorial", was burned; the rest was "most holy" food for the priests (2:2-3). Yeast and honey could be brought as first fruits but never burned on the altar (2:11-12), and salt went with every offering (2:13).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekLeviticus 2 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Leviticus 2

All questions about Leviticus →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions