Why did Elisha use salt to heal the water, when salt can sometimes make water undrinkable or land infertile?

Elisha's use of salt was not based on its inherent chemical properties to purify water, but rather as a symbolic act of obedience to God's command. In ancient times, salt could symbolize preservation, covenant, or even judgment (e.g., salting a conquered city to ensure its barrenness). In this context, it highlights that the power to heal came not from the salt itself, nor from Elisha, but from the sovereign word of the Lord spoken through His prophet. The common, seemingly inadequate substance served as a tangible point of contact for an extraordinary divine intervention, emphasizing that God often works through humble or paradoxical means to display His power. It was a demonstration that God's word, not human wisdom or natural properties, was the true agent of transformation.

What exactly does "death or barren [land]" imply in this context?

The phrase "death or barren [land]" (KJV) or "miscarriages and barrenness" (NIV) or "causing death and unfruitfulness" (ESV) refers to a comprehensive affliction caused by the corrupted water. It means more than just the water tasting bad. "Death" likely refers to the loss of human and animal life due to sickness or poisoning from drinking the water. "Barren [land]" (Hebrew: shakol) signifies infertility and unproductiveness, meaning that crops would not grow, or would wither prematurely, and perhaps even livestock would fail to reproduce or would miscarry. The problem was not merely discomfort but a severe threat to the very existence, health, and prosperity of the community of Jericho. The healing therefore brought about a complete reversal of this comprehensive curse, ensuring life and fruitfulness.

2:20 2:20

2 Kings 2:21

2:22 2:22

Bible Versions

And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren [land].

And he went forth {H3318} unto the spring {H4161} of the waters {H4325}, and cast {H7993} the salt {H4417} in there, and said {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, I have healed {H7495} these waters {H4325}; there shall not be from thence any more death {H4194} or barren {H7921} land.

He went out to the source of the water, threw salt into it and said, "This is what ADONAI says: 'I have healed this water; it will no longer cause death or miscarrying.'"

and Elisha went out to the spring, cast the salt into it, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will it cause death or unfruitfulness.’”

And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast salt therein, and said, Thus saith Jehovah, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or miscarrying.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Verse Lookup

Cross-References

Exodus 15:25

And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, [which] when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
Exodus 15:26

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.
2 Kings 4:41

But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast [it] into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.
Leviticus 2:13

And 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.
John 9:6

When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
Revelation 21:4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
2 Kings 6:6

And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast [it] in thither; and the iron did swim.

Bible Versions

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