Matthew 5:13
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?”Read in Context
Modern Meaning
What Does “The salt of the earth” Mean?
A person of great worth and reliability.
Biblical Origin
Where Does This Phrase Come From?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called his followers "the salt of the earth" — a preserving, flavoring influence in the world. Salt was precious in the ancient world (Roman soldiers were partly paid in salt, giving us the word "salary"). The phrase became one of the highest compliments in English.
The phrase appears in Matthew 5:13 in the King James Version of the Bible, first published in 1611.
Usage Today
How Is It Used Today?
The highest praise for someone's character. "My grandmother was the salt of the earth — kind, honest, and hardworking."
The KJV Verse
Matthew 5:13
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?”
Related Phrases