The act of spitting, referred to as "spitteth" in older English translations, is mentioned several times in the Bible, often carrying significant cultural and religious implications. In biblical times, spitting was a gesture that could convey contempt, insult, or ceremonial cleansing, depending on the context.

Cultural and Religious Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, spitting was often seen as an act of disdain or rejection. This cultural understanding is reflected in several biblical passages where spitting is associated with shame or dishonor. For example, in Deuteronomy 25:9, the act of a widow spitting in the face of her brother-in-law who refuses to perform his duty of levirate marriage is a public act of disgrace: "Then his brother’s wife shall go up to 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.’"

Spitting as a Sign of Contempt

Spitting is also depicted as a sign of contempt in the prophetic literature. In Isaiah 50:6, the suffering servant, a messianic figure, describes enduring such humiliation: "I offered My back to those who beat Me, My cheeks to those who tore out My beard; I did not hide My face from scorn and spitting." This passage is often interpreted by Christians as a prophecy of the suffering of Jesus Christ, who was similarly subjected to spitting and mockery during His trial and crucifixion (Matthew 26:67: "Then they spat in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him").

Spitting in the New Testament

In the New Testament, spitting is mentioned in the context of Jesus' healing miracles. In Mark 7:33 and John 9:6, Jesus uses His saliva as part of the healing process. In Mark 7:33, Jesus heals a deaf and mute man: "Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue." In John 9:6, Jesus heals a man born blind: "When He had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes." These actions, while unusual, demonstrate Jesus' authority over physical ailments and His willingness to use culturally unconventional means to convey divine power and compassion.

Ceremonial Cleansing

In the Mosaic Law, spitting also had implications for ceremonial cleanliness. Leviticus 15:8 states, "If the man with the discharge spits on someone who is clean, that person must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening." This regulation underscores the importance of ritual purity in the Israelite community and the potential for bodily fluids to transmit impurity.

Conclusion

The act of spitting in the Bible, therefore, carries a range of meanings, from contempt and humiliation to healing and purification. Understanding these contexts enriches the interpretation of biblical narratives and the cultural practices of the ancient world.

"But we are all as an Unclean Thing, and all Our Righteousnesses ...
... It putteth God off the throne, will take no law from him, will not acknowledge his
law, but, as it were, spitteth in his face, and establisheth another god. ...
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A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of ...
... and stand in't, is the highest evil; This makes a man most like unto the devil;
This bids defiance unto God and grace; This man resists him spitteth in his face ...
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Spitteth (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Spitteth (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 15:8 And when
he who hath the issue spitteth on him who is clean, then ...
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Spitted (1 Occurrence)

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Spitting (5 Occurrences)

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