ENGLISH
REFERENCE

covenant of salt

idiom
Meaning

A long-lasting agreement.


Origin

disputed origin

A Biblical reference, as in Leviticus: "every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt." ( he:T:13)

Examples
SIMPLE

They made a covenant of salt to stay friends forever.

CONTEXTUAL

The two families signed a covenant of salt, ensuring their partnership would last for generations to come.

COMPLEX

By entering into a covenant of salt, the rival nations sought to establish an unbreakable bond that would withstand the pressures of time and political change.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    Attic salt

    Pointed and delicate wit.

  2. 02

    not worth salt

    Worthless.

  3. 03

    old salt

    A seasoned sailor, especially one who is hardy and forthright in manner.

  4. 04

    rub salt in someone's wounds

    To make a painful situation even worse (even with the best of intentions).

  5. 05

    rub salt in the wound

    To aggravate or exacerbate a physical or emotional injury.

  6. 06

    salt away

    To save or preserve (especially money) for future use.

  7. 07

    salt in the wound

    Something that increases someone's pain.

  8. 08

    salt of the earth

    A person or group of people considered to represent the most decent and admirable parts of humanity.

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