ἁλίζω (halizō)
halizō
to salt
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb halizō means to salt or season with salt. It is a rare word in the New Testament, appearing only twice: once in Matthew 5:13 and again in Mark 9:49. In both contexts, it connects the physical act of salting food to spiritual purity and preservation.
In the Old Testament Greek (LXX), this word translates the Hebrew malakh, often used for salting sacrifices or land. The sources suggest a dual meaning here: salt preserves against decay and adds flavor, but it can also purify. When Jesus speaks of being "salted with fire" in Mark 9:49, He likely draws on this idea of purification through trial or judgment, ensuring the believer remains acceptable to God.
This term highlights how ordinary elements like salt carry deep theological weight. It is not merely about taste but about maintaining integrity and faithfulness in a corrupt world. The rarity of the word underscores its specific focus on being kept fresh and sound for divine purpose.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Jesus uses the image of salt to describe our influence in the world. When He asks what can restore flavorless salt, He highlights a sobering reality: if we lose our distinctiveness, we lose our purpose. This word, meaning to salt or season, reminds us that our faith is meant to preserve goodness and add value where decay might otherwise take hold.
In Mark, the connection between salt and fire suggests a deeper layer of meaning. Trials and purification can feel harsh, yet they serve to refine our character. Rather than destroying us, these moments help maintain our spiritual integrity, keeping us faithful and distinct in a culture that often blends into the background.
This call is not about perfection but about presence. By staying true to the values of the Kingdom, we become agents of preservation in our communities. May your life reflect this preserving power, bringing hope and clarity to those around you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will it be salted?1×
- will be salted.1×
- will be salted1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἁλισθήσεται;1×
- ἁλισθήσεται.1×
- ἁλισθήσεται1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.
This verse uses the word to pose a rhetorical question about restoration, emphasizing that lost distinctiveness renders one useless for divine purpose.
-
Mark 9:49
For everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.
Here the term links the act of salting with fire, suggesting that trials serve a purifying function similar to how salt preserves food.