Old Testament

Leviticus 2:13

Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.

ClearClear Bible Translation

Season every grain offering with salt. Never leave out the salt of the covenant of your God from your grain offering. Include salt with all your offerings.

Compare translations
KJVKing James Version

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.

What Leviticus 2:13 means

Plain-English insight for readers

In Leviticus 2:13, God instructs the Israelites to add salt to their grain offerings. Salt symbolizes preservation and purity, representing the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people. By including salt, the offerings are made acceptable and pleasing to God. The command emphasizes that salt should not be omitted, highlighting its importance in the sacrificial system. This practice serves as a reminder of the sacred relationship between God and His people, reinforcing the idea that offerings should be made with care and reverence. The salt of the covenant signifies loyalty and commitment, reminding the Israelites of their responsibilities in maintaining their relationship with God. Overall, this verse underscores the significance of following God's instructions in worship and the importance of honoring the covenant through tangible acts of devotion.

How to apply Leviticus 2:13 to your life

In our worship and offerings today, we should approach God with sincerity and intentionality. Just as salt enhances flavor, our devotion should reflect our commitment to God. We can ensure our actions and offerings are pleasing to Him by being mindful of our relationship with Him and honoring our commitments.

Curated for this public verse page. Leviticus Summary

Explore more of the Bible

Learn the Bible through its people and places

Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

A painting of Daniel and his three friends eating vegetables and drinking water in a Babylonian hall, while other young men eat the king's food and drink wine and the steward looks on

Illustrated scene from Daniel's story: Faithful at the King's Table (Daniel 1:1–21)

Meet the people of the Bible

Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.

Daniel

A ruined stone tower with a doorway at Burj Beitin, lit by low evening sun under a cloudy sky.

Photo: Bukvoed, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. Source. Location: Burj Beitin, Beitin, Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, West Bank. Resized for the web.

Explore the places of the Bible

See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.

Bethel

Where Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven and met God.

Get full access with one subscription

Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.

See Plans

Ask AI about Leviticus 2:13

Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.

Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter

Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.

Keep studying Leviticus 2:13

At a Glance — the Book of Leviticus

Author
Traditionally attributed to Moses
Written
Around 1400 BC
Genre
Law (Pentateuch)
Original Audience
The Israelites in the wilderness

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Leviticus 2:13 mean?

Leviticus 2:13 instructs the Israelites to add salt to their grain offerings, symbolizing the preservation and purity of their relationship with God. The verse emphasizes that salt should not be omitted, highlighting its importance in making the offerings acceptable to God.

What is the significance of salt in Leviticus 2:13?

In Leviticus 2:13, salt represents the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people. It signifies loyalty and commitment, reminding the Israelites of their responsibilities in maintaining their relationship with God through their offerings.

Why is salt mentioned in grain offerings in Leviticus 2:13?

Salt is mentioned in Leviticus 2:13 to enhance the grain offerings, making them pleasing to God. It serves as a reminder of the sacred relationship between God and His people, emphasizing the care and reverence required in worship.

What does the phrase 'salt of the covenant' mean in Leviticus 2:13?

The phrase 'salt of the covenant' in Leviticus 2:13 refers to the loyalty and commitment that the Israelites are expected to uphold in their relationship with God. It signifies the importance of honoring their covenant through tangible acts like offerings.

Daily Verse — straight to your inbox

A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.