Spittle, or Saliva
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Lev. 15:8; Isa. 50:6; Matt. 26:67)—under the Mosaic law, the spittle of a person with a discharge communicated ceremonial uncleanness. Spitting in another’s face expressed profound contempt and humiliation (Isa. 50:6; Matt. 26:67; Job 30:10), while Job’s plea that God leave him “till I swallow down my spittle” means even for the briefest moment (Job 7:19). The Gospels mention saliva in three healings: the man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, the blind man at Bethsaida, and the man born blind (Mark 7:33; 8:23; John 9:6).
The encyclopedia notes that ancient peoples also ascribed medicinal or superstitious powers to saliva, but these beliefs are not part of the Gospel’s theological claim.