What did Elisha use to purify the water at Jericho?

Answer Details

In 2 Kings 2:19-22, the men of Jericho told the prophet Elisha that although their city was well situated, the water was bad and the land was unproductive. Elisha asked them to bring him a new bowl with salt in it. He then went to the spring and threw the salt into the water, declaring, "Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or unfruitfulness." The water was purified and has remained wholesome since, according to the biblical text.

This was one of Elisha's earliest miracles after receiving Elijah's mantle and demonstrated that the same prophetic power that rested on Elijah now rested on his successor. The use of salt is symbolically significant in the Bible: salt represents preservation, purification, and covenant faithfulness.

The other substances listed are not mentioned in this account. Oil is associated with anointing and healing in other biblical contexts, but Elisha used salt at Jericho. Honey and sand have no connection to this miracle.