Luke 14:34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour,

Spoken to: 

audience

Jesus told the multitude that those that cannot set aside their possessions cannot be his students.

KJV: 

Luke 14:34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

NIV : 

Luke 14:34 Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?

LISTENERS HEARD: 

Good, certainly, the salt. When, however, also that salt might become insipid? In what is will it be prepared? 

MY TAKE: 

An old salt has an old wit.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

ΛΟΥΚΑΝ 14:34 Καλὸν οὖν τὸ ἅλας: ἐὰν δὲ καὶ τὸ ἅλας μωρανθῇ, ἐν τίνι ἀρτυθήσεται;

GREEK ORDER: 

Καλὸν  οὖν        τὸ ἅλας: ἐὰν     δὲ            καὶ   τὸ  ἅλας μωρανθῇ,
Good, certainly, the salt. When, however, also that salt might become insipid?

ἐν τίνι      ἀρτυθήσεται;
In what is will it be prepared? 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

"Salt has a number of shades of meaning in Jesus's time. Its main one was "wit." The word translated as "loses its saltiness/savour" actually means "becomes foolish," which clearly refers to the wit aspect. It may word like our word "insipid" referring to both bland food and foolishness. The word translated as "be seasoned" and "be salted" primarily means "prepared" and "make ready" and, "of things, requiring skill and cunning."

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

6

(MWthe) Salt  (MWcertainly) is good: but if(CW) the salt have(WT) ]lost his savour(CW)] , where(CW)with shall it be seasoned?

  •  MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "salt" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "certainly"  after "salt" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
  • CW --Confusing Word -- Though this word means "to be made a fool," it might have worked like our word "insipid" means both foolish and flavorless. 
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "where" or "what."

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

9

(MWthe) Salt  (MWcertainly) is good, but if(CW) it [loses its saltiness(WW)], [in what(MP2)] [how can (IP2)] it be made salty again?

  •  MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "salt" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "certainly"  after "salt" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • MP - Missing Phrase - The phrase "the salt"  exists in the source. This is counted as 2 translation issues, not 1
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word in Mark means "unsalty" but that is not the word here.
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "how can" doesn't exist in the source. This is counted as 2 translation issues, not 1.
  • MP - Missing Phrase - The phrase "words"  exists in the source. This is counted as 2 -translation issues, not 1.
  • WT --Wrong Tense - The verb  "made salty" is the present tense, but Greek is in the future.
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "again " doesn't exist in the source.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.

Salt -- "Salt" means "salt", "salt-rock", "brine," and is a metaphor for "sales" and "wit." Salt was used as money to pay wages. Our word "salary" comes from the Latin word for salt. Salt was also the most common preservative for food.The word has an article so "the salt". 

missing "certainly"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "certainly" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative, "then," "therefore." Jesus uses it to respond positively to questions, but in parables, it can continue the story.

is -- There is no verb "is" here in the Greek source but it is implied by the noun in the form of a subject having no verb associated with it.

good:  - The word translated as "good" means "good", "beautiful", "noble," or "of good quality."  See this article on the real Greek meaning of the terms translated as "good" and "evil."  The word translated as "well" means, as an adverb, "well", "rightly",  "happily",  "thoroughly", "altogether", and "deservedly".  

but  -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "yet," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.

if - (CW) "If" is from a word meaning "when" because it indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone.  It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun to mean "that possibly," "whosoever," or "whatsoever." This is not the simple "if."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

salt -- "Salt" means "salt", "salt-rock", "brine," and is a metaphor for "sales" and "wit." Salt was used as money to pay wages. Our word "salary" comes from the Roman word for salt. Salt was also the most common preservative for food.The word has an article so "the salt". 

have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.

lost his savour, -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "lost his savor," means "to make a fool," or, in the passive, as it is here, "to be made a fool." Jesus's choice of this word makes Jesus use of "salt" as a metaphor for wit clear. Though this word means "to be made a fool," it might have worked like our word "insipid" means both foolish and flavorless.

where -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "where" in the singular means "anyone", "someone," and "anything." In a question, it can mean "who", "why," or "what."

-with -- The word translated as "-with " means "in," "on," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with an indirect-object form object.  About time, it means "during the time," "in the time," "within," and "in." With the direct object form, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

seasoned? -- "Seasoned" is another uncommon verb means "arrange", "prepare", "make ready", , "of things, requiring skill and cunning," "dress savoury (meat)", "season", "administer (property)," and "bequeath."

EACH WORD of NIV : 

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.

Salt -- "Salt" means "salt", "salt-rock", "brine," and is a metaphor for "sales" and "wit." Salt was used as money to pay wages. Our word "salary" comes from the Latin word for salt. Salt was also the most common preservative for food.The word has an article so "the salt". 

missing "certainly"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "certainly" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative, "then," "therefore." Jesus uses it to respond positively to questions, but in parables, it can continue the story.

is -- There is no verb "is" here in the Greek source but it is implied by the noun in the form of a subject having no verb associated with it.

good:  - The word translated as "good" means "good", "beautiful", "noble," or "of good quality."  See this article on the real Greek meaning of the terms translated as "good" and "evil."  The word translated as "well" means, as an adverb, "well", "rightly",  "happily",  "thoroughly", "altogether", and "deservedly".  

but  -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "yet," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.

if - (CW) "If" is from a word meaning "when" because it indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone.  It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun to mean "that possibly," "whosoever," or "whatsoever." This is not the simple "if."

it -- This replaces the words "the salt."

missing "the salt"  -- -- (MP) The words here aren't translated with their correct meanings and forms. The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.  "Salt" means "salt", "salt-rock", "brine," and is a metaphor for "sales" and "wit." Salt was used as money to pay wages. Our word "salary" comes from the Roman word for salt. Salt was also the most common preservative for food.The word has an article so "the salt".

loses its saltiness, -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "loses its saltiness," means "to make a fool," or, in the passive, as it is here, "to be made a fool." Jesus's choice of this word makes Jesus use of "salt" as a metaphor for wit clear. The word in Mark means "unsalty" but that is not the word here.

how can -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "how can" in the Greek source.

missing "in what"  -- -- (MP) The words here aren't translated with their correct meanings and forms.  The word translated as "in" means "in," "on," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with an indirect-object form object. The Greek word translated as "what" in the singular means "anyone", "someone," and "anything." In a question, it can mean "who", "why," or "what."

it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

made salty? -- (WT) "Made salty" is another uncommon verb means "arrange", "prepare", "of things, requiring skill and cunning," "make ready", "dress savoury (meat)", "season", "administer (property)," and "bequeath."

again -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

Καλὸν [48 verses](adj sg neut nom) "Good" is kalos, which means "beautiful", "good", "of fine quality", "noble," and "honorable." It is most often translated as "good" juxtaposed with "evil" in the New Testament, but the two ideas are closer to "wonderful" and "worthless", "noble" and "base." -- The word translated as "good means "good", "beautiful", "noble," or "of good quality."  See this article on the real Greek meaning of the terms translated as "good" and "evil."  The word translated as "well" means, as an adverb, "well", "rightly",  "happily",  "thoroughly", "altogether", and "deservedly". 

τὸ  [821 verses](article sg neut nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." 

ἅλας: [3 verses](noun sg neut nom) The salt" is from halas, which means "salt," "salt-rock," "brine," and is a metaphor for "sales" and "wit."

οὖν [82 verses](adv) Untranslated is oun, which means "certainly," "in fact," "really," "in fact," "so" and "then" (continuing a narrative), and "then" and "therefore."

τὸ  [821 verses](article sg neut nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." 

ἅλας: [uncommon](noun sg neut nom) "The salt" is from halas, which means "salt", "salt-rock", "brine," and is a metaphor for "sales" and "wit."

ἐὰν (conj) "If" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if)and an (might)) which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. 

δὲ (conj/adv) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be a weak connective ("and") and explanation of cause ("so"). --

καὶ (conj/adv) Untranslated is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and. After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just." 

τὸ  [821 verses](article sg neut nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." 

ἅλας (noun sg neut nom) "The salt" is from halas, which means "salt", "salt-rock", "brine," and is a metaphor for "sales" and "wit."

​μωρανθῇ, (μωραίνω)[2 verses](verb 3rd sg aor subj/ind act) "Lost his savour" is moraino, which means "to play a fool", "to act foolishly", "to be silly," and "to be insipid."

ἐν [413 verses](prep) "-with" is en, which means, with its usual indirect (dative) object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during,"  and "with." With a direct (accusative) object, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during." 

τίνι (pron sg dat ) "Where-" is tis which can mean "someone", "any one", "everyone", "they [indefinite]", "many a one", "whoever", "anyone", "anything", "some sort", "some sort of", "each", "any", "the individual", "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who", "why," or "what."

ἀρτύσετε;[2 verses] (verb 3rd sg fut ind pass) "Shall be seasoned" is from artyo, which means "arrange", "prepare", "make ready", "of things, requiring skill and cunning," "dress savoury (meat)", "season", "administer (property)," and "bequeath."

Wordplay: 

 Salt is a metaphor for wit and for money.

The word translated as "lost savor" means "play the fool."

The word translated as "shall be seasoned" also means "be prepared."

Related Verses: 

Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth:

Mark 9:50 Salt [is] good: but if the salt have lost his saltiness...

parallel comparison: 

Matthew 5:13 , Mark 9:50 express similar ideas in different words.

Front Page Date: 

Sep 26 2024