מֶלַח
𐤌𐤋𐤇
Melach
H4417 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Edible or mineral salt; a crystalline substance used for seasoning, preserving food, and in various ritual and symbolic contexts. The term can denote common salt, salt residue, or places where salt accumulates (such as a 'salt-pit'). In figurative or symbolic contexts, it connotes durability, covenant loyalty, barrenness, or judgment, depending on the usage.
Semantic Range
salt (the mineral substance), salt as a seasoning or preservative, barren or salty land, symbolic of covenant, symbolic of barrenness or judgment, place of salt (salt-pit, salt marsh, salt sea)
Root / Etymology
From the root מָלַח (to salt, to season with salt), referring to the production, application, or impact of salt in various contexts. The noun מֶלַח derives directly from this root and refers specifically to the mineral substance.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מֶלַח primarily refers to salt as a physical substance, essential both as a dietary component and for food preservation. It features prominently in ritual contexts, such as the requirement that all grain offerings be seasoned with salt (e.g., Leviticus 2:13), where it symbolizes purity, covenant integrity, and incorruptibility (the 'covenant of salt'). Salt is also associated with inhospitable or barren places (e.g., the Dead Sea, called the 'Salt Sea' in numerous passages), and is used metaphorically for ruin or desolation (e.g., sowing conquered ground with salt, Judges 9:45, as a symbol of permanent sterility). Later periods may see the term connected with broader symbolic meanings due to these ritual and environmental associations. English translations typically render מֶלַח as 'salt,' but do not always capture its ritual and symbolic nuances.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מָלַח; properly, powder, i.e. (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved); salt(-pit).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מלח (m-l-ḥ) — to salt, to season, to make salty, to preserve
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4408 | מַלּוּחַ | saltwort |
| H4414 | מָלַח | you were salted |
| H4415 | מְלַח | we have eaten salt |
| H4416 | מְלַח | salt |
| H4418 | מָלָח | worn-out rags |
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4417-05 |
מֶֽלַח | melach | HNcmsa |
salt | salt | 14 |
H4417-02 |
הַ/מֶּֽלַח | hamelach | HTd/Ncmsa |
of Salt | the salt | 11 |
H4417-01 |
בַּ/מֶּ֣לַח | bamelach | HRd/Ncmsa |
with salt | in the salt | 1 |
H4417-04 |
לְ/מֶ֥לַח | lemelach | HR/Ncmsa |
for salt | for salt | 1 |
H4417-06 |
וָ/מֶלַח֮ | vamelach | HC/Ncmsa |
and-salt | and salt | 1 |
H4417-03 |
המלח | hmlch | HNp |
of-Salt | the Salt | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
29 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4417-02 |
Genesis 14:3 | הַ/מֶּֽלַח | hamelach | HTd/Ncmsa |
the Salt | the salt |
H4417-05 |
Genesis 19:26 | מֶֽלַח | melach | HNcmsa |
of salt | salt |
H4417-01 |
Leviticus 2:13 | בַּ/מֶּ֣לַח | bamelach | HRd/Ncmsa |
with salt | in the salt |
H4417-05 |
Leviticus 2:13 | מֶ֚לַח | melach | HNcmsc |
salt | salt |
H4417-05 |
Leviticus 2:13 | מֶֽלַח | melach-2 | HNcmsa |
salt | salt |
H4417-05 |
Numbers 18:19 | מֶ֨לַח | melach | HNcmsc |
of salt | salt |
H4417-02 |
Numbers 34:3 | הַ/מֶּ֖לַח | hamelach | HTd/Ncmsa |
of Salt | the salt |
H4417-02 |
Numbers 34:12 | הַ/מֶּ֑לַח | hamelach | HTd/Ncmsa |
the Salt | the salt |
H4417-02 |
Deuteronomy 3:17 | הַ/מֶּ֔לַח | hamelach | HTd/Ncmsa |
the Salt | the salt |
H4417-06 |
Deuteronomy 29:22 | וָ/מֶלַח֮ | vamelach | HC/Ncmsa |
and-salt | and salt |