Spittle, commonly referred to as saliva, appears in several instances throughout the Bible, often carrying symbolic or miraculous significance. In biblical times, spittle was sometimes believed to possess healing properties, and its use in various narratives underscores its cultural and theological importance.

Old Testament References

While the Old Testament does not explicitly mention the use of spittle in healing, it does provide context for understanding its cultural significance. In Deuteronomy 25:9, spitting is used as a form of public disgrace: "Then his brother’s wife shall approach him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, spit in his face, and declare, ‘This is what is done to the man who will not build up his brother’s house.’" Here, spitting is an act of reproach, highlighting the dishonor associated with failing familial duties.

New Testament References

The New Testament provides more direct examples of the use of spittle, particularly in the ministry of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus uses spittle in the healing of a deaf and mute man: "After Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, He put His fingers into the man’s ears, and after spitting, He touched the man’s tongue" (Mark 7:33). This act, followed by the command "Ephphatha," meaning "Be opened," results in the man's complete healing, demonstrating Jesus' authority over physical ailments.

Another significant instance is found in John 9:6, where Jesus heals a man born blind: "When He had said this, He spat on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes." This miracle not only restores the man's sight but also serves as a profound illustration of spiritual enlightenment and the transformative power of Christ.

Cultural and Theological Implications

In the biblical context, spittle is more than a mere bodily fluid; it is a medium through which divine power is manifested. The use of spittle by Jesus in healing miracles challenges contemporary cultural norms and expectations, emphasizing the unconventional methods through which God can work. It also reflects the incarnational aspect of Jesus' ministry, where physical elements are used to convey spiritual truths.

Theologically, these accounts highlight the intimate and personal nature of Jesus' healing ministry. By using spittle, Jesus engages with the physical world in a tangible way, underscoring the belief in His dual nature as both fully divine and fully human. This interaction with the material world serves as a testament to the belief that God can use ordinary means to achieve extraordinary ends.

Conclusion

The use of spittle in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament, serves as a powerful symbol of healing and divine intervention. Through these acts, Jesus demonstrates His authority over creation and His compassion for humanity, offering a glimpse into the transformative power of faith and the kingdom of God.1. (n.) See Spital.

2. (v. t.) To dig or stir with a small spade.

3. (n.) A small sort of spade.

4. (n.) The thick, moist matter which is secreted by the salivary glands; saliva; spit.

SPIT; SPITTLE

spit, spit'-l (yaraq, roq; (em)ptuo): Spitting in a person's face indicated gross contempt (Numbers 12:14 Deuteronomy 25:9 Job 30:10 Isaiah 50:6 Matthew 26:67; Matthew 27:30, etc.); when performed by an unclean person it produced defilement (Leviticus 15:8) which necessitated washing the clothes and a bath. When David allowed his spittle (rir) to run down over his beard, it was his purpose to behave like a lunatic (1 Samuel 21:13). "Till I swallow down my spittle" (Job 7:19) has the same import as the English "in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Corinthians 15:52). Spittle was used by our Lord in restoring sight and speech (Mark 7:33 John 9:6) as signifying His will to cure. It was a widespread belief that spittle, accompanied with magical formulas, possessed medicinal qualities. "Oil" possessed a similar virtue. (Mark 6:13 James 5:14).

T. Lewis

4427. ptusma -- spittle
... spittle. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: ptusma Phonetic Spelling:
(ptoos'-mah) Short Definition: spittle Definition: spittle, saliva. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4427.htm - 6k

4425. ptuon -- a winnowing shovel
... word Definition a winnowing shovel NASB Word Usage winnowing fork (2). fan. From
ptuo; a winnowing-fork (as scattering like spittle) -- fan. see GREEK ptuo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4425.htm - 6k

7536. roq -- spittle
... 7535, 7536. roq. 7537 . spittle. Transliteration: roq Phonetic Spelling: (roke)
Short Definition: spitting. ... spitting,. From raqaq; spittle -- spit(-ting, -tle ...
/hebrew/7536.htm - 6k

7388b. rir -- slimy juice, spittle
... rir. 7389 . slimy juice, spittle. Transliteration: rir Short Definition: saliva.
Word Origin from rir Definition slimy juice, spittle NASB Word Usage saliva ( ...
/hebrew/7388b.htm - 5k

7388. riyr -- to flow (like slime)
... 7387, 7388. riyr. 7388a . to flow (like slime). Transliteration: riyr Phonetic
Spelling: (reer) Short Definition: spittle. spittle, white of an egg ...
/hebrew/7388.htm - 5k

7325. rur -- run
... Word Origin see rir. run A primitive root; to slaver (with spittle), ie (by analogy)
to emit a fluid (ulcerous or natural) -- run. 7324, 7325. rur. 7326 . ...
/hebrew/7325.htm - 5k

Psalm XXXIV.
... He commendeth His Humility, in that which is written in this history, in that seeming
madness of David, which we have passed by, "And his spittle ran down over ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxiv.htm

John ix. 6, 7
... "When Jesus had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle,
and He anointed ... And why used He not water instead of spittle for the clay? ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lvii john ix 6.htm

On the Same Lesson of the Gospel, John ix. , on the Giving Sight ...
... 3. But they who cast him out continued blind, forasmuch as they cavilled at the
Lord, that it was the sabbath when He made clay of the spittle, and anointed ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxxvi on the same.htm

Some Other Memorable Places of the City.
... The Upper Street.""Any spittle, found in the city, was clean, except that which
was found in the upper street." The Gloss thus; "The spittle of any unclean ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 35 some other memorable.htm

The Procession of Sorrow
... of any man. See, it has been blackened with bruises, and stained with the
shameful spittle of them that derided him. Your heir of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the procession of sorrow.htm

Whether Christ Worked Miracles Fittingly on Men?
... was restored, so that he saw all things clearly." It is clear from this that He
did not heal him suddenly, but at first imperfectly, and by means of His spittle ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ worked miracles fittingly.htm

Prayer --The All-Important Essence of Earthly Worship
... In the first case Christ came incidentally on a blind man at Jerusalem, made clay,
softened it by spittle, and smeared it on the eyes and then commanded the ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/iii prayerthe all-important essence of.htm

Jesus and the Blind Man.
... all his life. (John 9:6). 6. He spat on the ground, and made clay of the
spittle. Why he did this we cannot be sure. The ancients ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus and the blind man.htm

What Happened Before the Crucifixion.
... After this I was impiously maltreated with blows, with spittle, with blindfolding,
accused before Caiphas, and pronounced worthy of death. ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter ii what happened before.htm

The Insults Received by Jesus in the Court of Caiphas.
... as he walked. They again pinioned his arms, put a reed into his hand,
and covered his Divine countenance with spittle. They had ...
/.../chapter ix the insults received.htm

Spittle (3 Occurrences)
... SPIT; SPITTLE. ... When David allowed his spittle (rir) to run down over his beard,
it was his purpose to behave like a lunatic (1 Samuel 21:13). ...
/s/spittle.htm - 9k

Spit (15 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) The secretion formed by the glands of the mouth; spittle; saliva;
sputum. 11. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SPIT; SPITTLE. ...
/s/spit.htm - 13k

Clay (50 Occurrences)
... This word is used of sediment found in pits or in streets (Isaiah 57:20; Jeremiah
38:60), of dust mixed with spittle (John 9:6), and of potter's clay (Isaiah 41 ...
/c/clay.htm - 25k

Beard (23 Occurrences)
... (4) In one case (1 Samuel 21:13, 14) the neglect of the beard is set down as a
sign of madness: "(He) let his spittle fall down upon his beard. ...
/b/beard.htm - 21k

Kneading (7 Occurrences)
... John 9:6 After thus speaking, He spat on the ground, and then, kneading the dust
and spittle into clay, He smeared the clay over the man's eyes and said to him ...
/k/kneading.htm - 8k

Letteth (11 Occurrences)
... his behaviour before their eyes, and feigneth himself mad in their hand, and scribbleth
on the doors of the gate, and letteth down his spittle unto his beard. ...
/l/letteth.htm - 9k

Insane (10 Occurrences)
... Samuel 21:13 He changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their
hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down ...
/i/insane.htm - 9k

Insanely (1 Occurrence)
... Samuel 21:13 He changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their
hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down ...
/i/insanely.htm - 6k

Instant (19 Occurrences)
... Job 7:19 How long will you not look away from me, nor leave me alone until I swallow
down my spittle? (See NIV). Job 21:13 They spend their days in prosperity. ...
/i/instant.htm - 13k

Feigneth (3 Occurrences)
... his behaviour before their eyes, and feigneth himself mad in their hand, and scribbleth
on the doors of the gate, and letteth down his spittle unto his beard. ...
/f/feigneth.htm - 7k

Why did Jesus spit for some of His miracles? | GotQuestions.org

Spittle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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