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What Does Melaḥ Mean For Friday the 13th & Valentine’s Day?

What Does Melaḥ Mean For Friday the 13th & Valentine’s Day?

Last updated on: February 15, 2026 at 9:43 pm by Martin Thomas Johnson

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What Does Melaḥ Mean For Friday the 13th & Valentine’s Day? 2026-02-15T21:43:59-05:00 Martin Thomas Johnson

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This weekend alot of people were concerned about bad luck and this Friday the 13th observance. Fear and dread of the day began back in the 19th century in France. Of course, a lot of people were already leery of the unlucky coincidence and the misfortune of the number 13 due to the Greek historical account of the God of mischief, Loki, and his association with chaos and tragedy.

Image by Pixabay

Personally, I choose not to believe or worry about superstition or luck. I cannot afford to live my life with any more anxiety due to my brain injury, and knowing how stress can debilitate me or cause a seizure.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where people have a thirst for only positive vibes and good times instead of accepting negativity or bad situations. These people thrive on luck and circumstances that they can manipulate. I prefer to live by faith and not luck or superstitions:

Belief
Works
Love
Forgiveness

Since we live in a fallen world, we know we will all face hardships and trying times (Isaiah 41:10, John 16:33, Philippians 4:6-7). Superstitious people look at circumstances and try to manipulate them to get what they want, instead of trusting God (Psalm 55:8-9, Proverbs 3:5-6).

Too many people, even Christians, believe or rely on luck and fate more than they do faith. Our sinful human nature wants to be in control of our own fate, and that goes against God’s Divine plan.

One of the silliest ways people try to manipulate luck and fate has to do with salt, either throwing it over their shoulders or carrying it in their pockets to ward off evil or bad luck. The superstition is rooted in a spiritual truth about salt andlight (Leviticus 2:13, Luke 14:34).

What Is Salt

Salt is something that can be literal or figurative. Salt can be something we put in or on food, or it can be used to describe God’s people. Most of us think of salt as a flavor, but it has a lot of other uses.

Image by Pixabay

Salt is defined as “A crystalline compound or mineral that is abundant in nature and used to season or to preserve.” Like most things in life, salt can be good or it can be bad. When salt isn’t used incorrectly, it can have dangerous effects on our health. But salt alone is not a bad substance, just how we use it.

Spiritually, God’s people are called to be salt to do the good things God commands us to do (Galatians 6:9, Ephesians 2:10, Colossians 1:10). We are to be serving God’s purposes, not ours or a political party’s agenda.

That is why the Bible has a lot to say about salt (Numbers 18:19, Colossians 4:6). God set His people apart from this fallen world to be agents of change like salt and light, to change it, not to rule it (Exodus 19:5-6, 1 Peter 2:9)

God has a specific purpose for His people to do good works (Romans 8:28, Philippians 2:13, Hebrews 10:24).

We cannot continue following the evil ways of this world or our evil hearts (Romans 12:2, 2 Timothy 2:22, James 4:4). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about the importance of being the salt and light in this dark, broken world.

Melaḥ

The Torah has a lot to say about salt and light because this fallen kingdom became corrupt after mankind chose to disobey God (Genesis 3:6-7). God’s people understood the importance of salt to preserve God’s goodness and to prevent further decay (Leviticus 2:13, Numbers 18:19).

God uses salt to prevent decay and to preserve His good creations (2 Chronicles 13:5, Ezekiel 43:24). The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for salt is melaḥ, and it can also mean, “Properly, powder, or salt pit,” depending upon the context it is used in.

Historically and biblically, salt is important to God’s people because God made a salt covenant with His people to preserve them and provide for them. That is why Judaism emphasizes Israel’s need to be salt in this corrupt world:

Seeking justice
Showing compassion
Charity
Loving others
Caring for foreigners

Jesus began His earthly ministry by reminding His followers to obey God and be the salt and light of the world to change it (Matthew 5:13-16). Our Lord repeatedly emphasized His Kingdom and ways are not like this fallen world (Matthew 5:3-12, Luke 17:20-21, John 18:36).

Image by Pixabay

Our Rabbi taught His followers that they must be purified of their evil ways (Matthew 5:8-30). He warned them about losing their saltiness (Luke 14:34-35, Mark 9:50).

Valentine’s Day

In other news, this weekend, millions of people around the world are celebrating Valentine’s Day this weekend. Most people concentrate on their feelings and the temporary pleasures of worldly love.

Image by Pixabay

Unfortunately, too many people settle for temporary love, fleeting happiness, and their feelings instead of a deep and lasting love like God offers us (John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13).

God’s love is eternal and intentional, not lucky or easy. When we love like the world, we live by our flesh (Romans 8:13, Galatians 5:19-23):

Impatient
Never satisfied
Selfish
Uncommitted

Most of us understand that God’s love isn’t like this world’s, but we too often fail to live and love like God. We cannot seek only feel-good love; we must give and accept tough love that doesn’t always make us happy (1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 2 Timothy 4:1-22, Hebrews 12:11).

Just like salt, sometimes God’s love stings and isn’t pleasant, but we know it is good (Proverbs 3:11-12, Romans 8:28, Hebrews 12:5-6, 11). Unlike worldly encouragement, God’s love isn’t always pleasant but challenges us to be and do better.

When we fail to love like God, we have lost our saltiness (Luke 14:34-35). When we value what the world does, we are not being the light or the melaḥ!

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