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ἅλας

hálas

G217 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ἅλ- salt (substance), to season, to preserve

Definition

Salt; a crystalline mineral substance primarily used as a preservative or seasoning. By extension, in figurative language, refers to wit, wisdom, or the quality of making speech or conduct palatable or effective. In various contexts, ἅλας extends to mean what is essential to preserve, purify, or enhance.

Semantic Range

salt (the mineral or seasoning); what preserves or purifies; figure for wisdom, prudence, wit, or essential quality; agent bringing value or effectiveness

Root / Etymology

From the noun ἅλς (hals) meaning 'salt.' The term ἅλας is the nominative/accusative form often used in Koine Greek for 'salt.' The form is an irregular declension from the earlier, more classical ἅλς (usually poetic), but both forms are essentially the same word.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἅλας refers to mineral salt, both as a natural substance (from sea or earth) and as a seasoning or preservative. In Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and the New Testament, it continues to denote actual salt (used in culinary, cultic, or economic contexts). Salt held significant value in the ancient world, symbolizing purity, preservation, and value, which provided a metaphorical foundation for extending the term's meaning. In the New Testament, ἅλας is often used in figurative expressions, such as 'the salt of the earth' (Matthew 5:13), signifying that which preserves or gives value to the whole, or in counsel concerning one's speech (Colossians 4:6) as 'seasoned with salt'—i.e., rendered wise, palatable, or effective. The metaphorical sense was already found in Hellenistic literature, where 'salt' signifies wit or prudence. The English translation 'salt' accurately reflects the basic substance, but the figurative nuance (prudence, wit, wisdom, essential quality) underlying many biblical uses can be obscured unless context is considered; translations that render figurative uses as simply 'wisdom' or 'prudence' do not capture the full metaphorical resonance in Greek.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἅλς; salt; figuratively, prudence:--salt.

Root Family

ἅλας (halas) — salt, seasoning, preserving agent

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G217-02 ἅλας alas N NOM N SG salt salt 6
G217-03 ἅλατι alati N DAT N SG salt with salt 1
G217-01 ἅλα ala N ACC N SG salt salt 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G217-02 Matthew 5:13 ἅλας alas N NOM N SG salt
G217-02 Matthew 5:13 ἅλας alas-2 N NOM N SG salt
G217-02 Mark 9:50 ἅλας alas N NOM N SG salt salt
G217-02 Mark 9:50 ἅλας alas-2 N NOM N SG salt salt
G217-01 Mark 9:50 ἅλα ala N ACC N SG salt salt
G217-02 Luke 14:34 ἅλας alas N NOM N SG salt salt
G217-02 Luke 14:34 ἅλας alas-2 N NOM N SG salt salt
G217-03 Colossians 4:6 ἅλατι alati N DAT N SG salt with salt
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