ἅλς
háls
G251
SILEX Entry
Definition
A naturally occurring mineral substance, salt, primarily used for seasoning and preserving food. In extended contexts, signifies what gives flavor, preserves from decay, or symbolizes purity or wisdom. Metaphorically, refers to qualities that preserve moral or social order, or spiritual significance.
Semantic Range
salt as a mineral or seasoning; material for preservation; symbol of purity, permanence, wisdom, or value; quality that preserves or flavors speech or action; ritual substance in offerings
Root / Etymology
From the root ἁλ- (related to 'sea' or 'salt'), originally common to many Indo-European languages; see Latin 'sal', Sanskrit 'salila' (pic. 'saline'). Related to ἅλς (sea) in earlier Greek, though distinguished in form and usage by gender (masculine/feminine for 'sea'; neuter for 'salt').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἅλς denotes both 'salt' (neuter) and, as a different gender form, 'sea' (masculine or feminine); in Koine, ἅλς almost exclusively refers to salt as a tangible substance. In the Septuagint, it tends to translate Hebrew מֶלַח (melach). In the New Testament, literal uses refer to seasoning (e.g., Mark 9:50) and ritual (salted offerings), while metaphorical use denotes qualities essential for value or preservation (Matthew 5:13, 'the salt of the earth'). Later translation traditions often obscure the metaphorical nuances, rendering simply 'salt' without reference to symbolic implications in Greco-Roman or Israelite contexts. In everyday Hellenistic usage, also used figuratively for wit, wisdom, or the spiritual quality that keeps communities from corruption.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primary word; "salt":--salt.
Root Family
ἁλ- (halieús) — to fish, to engage in fishing
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G231 | ἁλιεύς | fishers |
| G233 | ἁλίζω | will be salted |
| G259 | ἅλωσις | capture |
| G358 | ἄναλος | unsalted |
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.