English · KJV
H4414

מָלַח

mâlach /maw-lakh'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root · also as denominative from מֶלַח
Meaningproperly, to rub to pieces or pulverize; intransitively, to disappear as dust; to salt whether internally (to season with salt) or externally (to rub with salt)
KJV usagesalt, season, temper together, vanish away.
Idioms & phrasesidiom at all

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mâlach — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word mâlach, represented by H4414, is a root with meanings related to pulverizing or salting. Appearing 5 times across 4 unique verses, its usage spans from the literal act of seasoning to the figurative idea of disappearing like dust. It can mean to season with salt, to rub with salt, to temper ingredients together, or to vanish away.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The applications of H4414 in scripture are distinct and context-driven. In ceremonial law, it commands that every meat offering must be seasoned with salt as part of the "covenant of thy God" Leviticus 2:13. It is also used in the preparation of holy incense, which is to be tempered together, pure and holy Exodus 30:35. In a prophetic context, it illustrates the impermanence of creation, stating that the heavens will vanish away like smoke Isaiah 51:6. It is also used metaphorically to describe the neglect of the infant nation of Israel, which was not salted at all at its birth Ezekiel 16:4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide deeper context for the meanings of H4414:

  • H1285 bᵉrîyth (covenant): This word for a compact or league is directly linked to H4414 in the command to use "the salt of the covenant of thy God" on all offerings, signifying a permanent and binding agreement Leviticus 2:13.
  • H4417 melach (salt): As the noun form derived from the verb, salt is the agent of the action in H4414. It is required with every oblation and is central to the "covenant of salt" (Leviticus 2:13, 2 Chronicles 13:5).
  • H1086 bâlâh (to wear out, decay): In Isaiah's prophecy, this word is used in parallel with H4414. While the heavens will "vanish away," the earth will wax old like a garment, together emphasizing the transient nature of the physical world Isaiah 51:6.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H4414 is seen in its symbolic applications.

  • Covenant and Preservation: The requirement to salt offerings points to salt's role as a preservative. This action symbolizes the enduring and unbreakable nature of God's covenant with His people Leviticus 2:13.
  • Purity and Consecration: The use of H4414 in preparing the holy incense and in the ritual care for a newborn signifies purity and being set apart for a sacred purpose. The incense was to be pure and holy, and salting a newborn was an act of consecration (Exodus 30:35, Ezekiel 16:4).
  • Cosmic Transience: The word's use to describe the heavens vanishing away serves as a powerful reminder of the temporary state of creation in contrast to the eternal nature of God's salvation and righteousness Isaiah 51:6.

Summary

In summary, H4414 is a multifaceted word that, while rare, carries significant theological implications. It connects the physical act of salting to the spiritual concepts of covenant, purity, and preservation. From the seasoning of a sacrificial offering to the ultimate dissolution of the heavens, mâlach illustrates how a simple, concrete action can represent profound and eternal truths.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 5 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • הָמְלֵחַ
  • הֻמְלַחַתְּ
  • נִמְלָחוּ
  • מְמֻלָּח
  • תִּמְלָח

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H1285 בְּרִית from בָּרָה (in the sense of cutting (like בָּרָא)); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh); confed H4417 מֶלַח from מָלַח; properly, powder, i.e. (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved); salt(-pit). H1086 בָּלָה a primitive root; to fail; by implication to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend); consume, enjoy long, become

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 4 of the 39 books. 4 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 35.

1
Exodus
1
Leviticus
1
Isaiah
1
Ezekiel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.