Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, May 2nd, 2024
the Fifth Week after Easter
Bible Encyclopedias
Spit; Spittle
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
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spit , spit ´' 50 ( ירק , yāraḳ , רק , rōḳ ; ( ἐμ ) πτύω , ( em ) ptúō ): 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 (ריר , rı̄r ) 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 ).
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Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Spit; Spittle'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/s/spit-spittle.html. 1915.
