nitre Summary and Overview

(Prov. 25:20; R.V. marg., "soda"), properly "natron," a substance so called because, rising from the bottom of the Lake Natron in Egypt, it becomes dry and hard in the sun, and is the soda which effervesces when vinegar is poured on it. It is a carbonate of soda, not saltpetre, which the word generally denotes (Jer. 2:22; R.V. "lye").

Mention of this substance is made in #Pr 25:20| --"and as vinegar upon nitre"--and in #Jer 2:26| The article denoted is not that which we now understand by the term nitre i.e. nitrate of Potassa--"saltpetre" --but the nitrum of the Latins and the natron or native carbonate of soda of modern chemistry. Natron was and still is used by the Egyptians for washing linen. The value of soda in this respect is well known. This explains the passage in Jeremiah. Natron is found In great abundance in the well-known soda lakes of Egypt.

NI'TRE , an earthy alkaline salt, resembling and used like soap, which, separating from the bottom of the lake Natron, in Egypt, and rising to the top, is condensed by the heat of the sun into a dry and hard substance similar to the Smyrna soap, and is the soda of common earth. It is found in many other parts of the East. Vinegar has no effect upon common nitre, and of course this could not be meant by the wise man, who in Prov 25:20 says, "As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart." Now, as vinegar has no effect upon nitre, but upon natron or soda its action is very obvious, it seems the English translation should have been "natron." In Jer 2:22 the same word again is improperly used: "For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord God." The alkaline earth natron is obviously designed in this passage. It is found as an impure carbonate of soda on the surface of the earth in Egypt and Syria, and is also native in some parts of Africa in hard strata or masses, and is called trona being used for the same purposes as the barilla of commerce. NO. See No-amon.

(See FULLER.) Proverbs 25:20, "as vinegar upon nitre so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart." To the feelings of the heavy at heart songs are as grating and irritative as acid poured on alkali. Nitre is carbonate of soda or potash; mixed with oil it was used as "soap" (borit): Jeremiah 2:22.