Spit, Spittle
Spit, Spittle
spit, spit’l (, yarak, , rok; (), (em)ptuo): Spitting in a person’s face indicated gross contempt (Num 12:14; Deu 25:9; Job 30:10; Isa 50:6; Mat 26:67; Mat 27:30, etc.); when performed by an unclean person it produced defilement (Lev 15:8) which necessitated washing the clothes and a bath. When David allowed his spittle (, rr) to run down over his beard, it was his purpose to behave like a lunatic (1Sa 21:13). Till I swallow down my spittle (Job 7:19) has the same import as the English in the twinkling of an eye (1Co 15:52). Spittle was used by our Lord in restoring sight and speech (Mar 7:33; Joh 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. (Mar 6:13; Jam 5:14).