Salt-Wort
NatureWhat is the meaning of Salt-Wort in the Bible?
The halimos of the Greeks, also known as sea orache or saltwort, is a silvery whitish shrub that flourishes on the shores of the Dead Sea. Its leaves have a sour flavor and were considered unfit for eating when better food was available.
SIGNIFICANCE
This plant is significant because it is mentioned in Job 30:4 as an example of food that would not be eaten even by those who are poor or desperate.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Salt-Wort were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Salt-Wort in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Salt-Wort clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Job 30:4
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Salt-Wort." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/saltwort/