Numbers 18:19
All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֣ל׀
H3605
כֹּ֣ל׀
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תְּרוּמֹ֣ת
All the heave offerings
H8641
תְּרוּמֹ֣ת
All the heave offerings
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
2 of 24
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
הַקֳּדָשִׁ֗ים
of the holy things
H6944
הַקֳּדָשִׁ֗ים
of the holy things
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
3 of 24
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָרִ֥ימוּ
offer
H7311
יָרִ֥ימוּ
offer
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
5 of 24
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
וּלְבָנֶ֧יךָ
thee and thy sons
H1121
וּלְבָנֶ֧יךָ
thee and thy sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נָתַ֣תִּֽי
have I given
H5414
נָתַ֣תִּֽי
have I given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
9 of 24
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וּלְבָנֶ֧יךָ
thee and thy sons
H1121
וּלְבָנֶ֧יךָ
thee and thy sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְלִבְנֹתֶ֛יךָ
and thy daughters
H1323
וְלִבְנֹתֶ֛יךָ
and thy daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
12 of 24
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
אִתְּךָ֖
H854
אִתְּךָ֖
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
לְחָק
with thee by a statute
H2706
לְחָק
with thee by a statute
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
14 of 24
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
עוֹלָ֥ם
for ever
H5769
עוֹלָ֥ם
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
15 of 24
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
בְּרִית֩
it is a covenant
H1285
בְּרִית֩
it is a covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
16 of 24
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
מֶ֨לַח
of salt
H4417
מֶ֨לַח
of salt
Strong's:
H4417
Word #:
17 of 24
properly, powder, i.e., (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved)
עוֹלָ֥ם
for ever
H5769
עוֹלָ֥ם
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
18 of 24
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
הִוא֙
H1931
הִוא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
19 of 24
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
20 of 24
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
21 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
2 Chronicles 13:5Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?Leviticus 2:13And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.Numbers 18:11And this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it.
Historical Context
Salt had immense value in the ancient world—it preserved food, purified water, and was essential for life. Roman soldiers received salt rations (origin of 'salary' from Latin salarium). In covenant-making, sharing salt symbolized permanent friendship and loyalty—you wouldn't betray someone whose salt you'd eaten. Arab Bedouin culture still honors salt covenants (dhimmat al-milh) as sacred bonds. God using this metaphor assured Aaron's descendants of unshakeable support. The covenant continued until the temple system ended. While the Aaronic priesthood has ceased sacrificial functions, the principle that God faithfully sustains His ministers remains applicable to Christian pastoral and missionary support.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 'covenant of salt' metaphor assure you of God's faithful, unchanging commitment to His promises?
- What does it mean that your relationship with Christ is secured by something even more permanent than salt—the unchanging character of God?
- How should churches honor the 'salt covenant' principle by providing stable, reliable support for ministers across years of faithful service?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee. This verse summarizes verses 8-18, confirming all priestly portions as perpetual divine gift. "By a statute for ever" (lechoq olam, לְחָק־עוֹלָם) establishes permanence, but "covenant of salt" (berit melach olam, בְּרִית מֶלַח עוֹלָם) adds profound significance.
Salt symbolized preservation, incorruptibility, and permanence in ancient cultures. Salt prevented decay, making "covenant of salt" metaphorical language for an unbreakable, enduring agreement. Leviticus 2:13 required salt with every grain offering. 2 Chronicles 13:5 also describes God's covenant with David's house as a "covenant of salt." The phrase conveys absolute reliability—this arrangement won't spoil, decay, or be revoked.
God's covenant of salt with Aaron's descendants guaranteed perpetual priestly support as long as the sacrificial system functioned. While Christ's priesthood superseded the Aaronic order (Hebrews 7), the principle remains—God faithfully provides for those called to spiritual service. The "salt covenant" teaches that God's commitments are absolutely dependable; He doesn't renege on promises or abandon those who serve Him. Our covenant relationship through Christ's blood is even more secure than a covenant of salt—it's guaranteed by God's unchanging character (Hebrews 6:17-20).