COVENANT OF SALT (בְּרִית׃֩ מֶ֨לַח). An expression used in OT times for a perpetual covenant.

The ceremonial law called for the use of salt in all cereal offerings and perhaps in other offerings as well, according to the Mosaic instruction (Lev 2:13). Being a necessary part of human diet, it is not surprising that it should be included in the prescribed offerings to God. While some of these offerings were consumed on the altar, the greater part was for use by the priests, for they had no inheritance among their brethren by which to obtain food. Therefore, all the holy offerings which the people presented to God were given to the priests and their families “as a perpetual due; it is a covenant of salt for ever before the Lord for you [the priests] and your offspring with you” (Num 18:19). From this Levitical concept there evidently arose the expression among the Hebrews that any perpetual covenant is a covenant of salt. Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who split Israel from the Davidic line is reminded by King Abijah that God gave the kingship to David and his sons by a covenant of salt, that is, forever (2 Chron 13:5).