2 Chronicles 13:5

a covenant of salt Salt was necessary for the efficacy of a sacrifice (Leviticus 2:13), so that Covenant of saltbecame a phrase for a surecovenant (Numbers 18:19). The sacredness of the bond which is acknowledged among the Arabs between two persons who have "eaten salt" together as host and guest is common knowledge. It is not however necessary that salt should be taken; any food, e.g. milk, will serve (W. R. Smith, Religion of the Semites, p. 270).