Saliva, a bodily fluid produced in the mouths of humans and animals, is mentioned in several instances within the Bible, often in the context of healing and ritual purity. In biblical times, saliva was sometimes considered to have medicinal properties, and its use is recorded in both the Old and New Testaments.

Old Testament Context

While the Old Testament does not explicitly mention the use of saliva, it does provide a backdrop for understanding purity and impurity, which can be related to bodily fluids. The Levitical laws, for instance, detail various forms of impurity and the necessary rituals for purification (Leviticus 15). Although saliva is not specifically mentioned, the cultural context of purity laws may have influenced perceptions of bodily fluids, including saliva.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, saliva is notably used by Jesus in several healing miracles, demonstrating His authority and power over physical ailments. These instances highlight the belief in the healing properties of saliva and its symbolic significance in the ministry of Jesus.

1. Healing of the Blind Man: In the Gospel of John, Jesus heals a man who was blind from birth. "When He had said this, He spat on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes" (John 9:6). Jesus then instructs the man to wash in the Pool of Siloam, resulting in the restoration of his sight. This act of using saliva, combined with earth, underscores the creative and restorative power of Jesus, reminiscent of God's creation of man from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7).

2. Healing of a Deaf and Mute Man: In Mark 7:33, Jesus heals a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment. "So 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" (Mark 7:33). This intimate and personal act of healing reflects Jesus' compassion and His willingness to engage with the physical needs of individuals.

3. Healing of a Blind Man at Bethsaida: Another instance is found in Mark 8:23, where Jesus heals a blind man at Bethsaida. "So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then He spit on the man’s eyes and placed His hands on him" (Mark 8:23). This gradual healing process emphasizes the personal attention Jesus gives to those in need and His unique method of healing.

Cultural and Theological Significance

In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, saliva was sometimes thought to have curative properties. The use of saliva by Jesus in His healing miracles may have been understood by His contemporaries as a sign of His divine authority and power to heal. Theologically, these acts of healing with saliva demonstrate the incarnational aspect of Jesus' ministry—His willingness to use the physical and tangible elements of creation to bring about spiritual and physical restoration.

The use of saliva in these biblical accounts serves as a testament to the multifaceted nature of Jesus' miracles, which not only addressed physical ailments but also pointed to deeper spiritual truths about His identity as the Messiah and the coming of God's kingdom.(n.) The secretion from the salivary glands.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 - 6k7388b. 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)
... spittle, white of an egg From ruwr; saliva; by resemblance, broth -- spittle, white
(of an egg). see HEBREW ruwr. 7387, 7388. riyr. 7388a . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/7388.htm - 5k

Whether Food or Drink Taken Beforehand Hinders the Receiving of ...
... of food left in the mouth, if swallowed accidentally, do not hinder receiving this
sacrament, because they are swallowed not by way of food but by way of saliva ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether food or drink taken.htm

A Group of Miracles among a Semi-Heathen Population
... diseased organ. We read of the direct application of saliva only here and
in the healing of the blind man at Bethsaida. [3504] [3505 ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxiv a group of.htm

The Gradual Healing of the Blind Man
... sufferer apart and works His miracle in privacy; that in both there is an abundant
use of the same singular means"our Lord's touch and the saliva upon His ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the gradual healing of the.htm

Christ's Touch
... apart from the crowd, laid His hands on him, thrust His fingers into his ears as
if He would clear some impediment, touched his tongue with saliva, said to him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/christs touch.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... Their saliva, the foam which fell from their mouths during their attacks of rage,
their sweat, their blood itself, were all no less to be feared. ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Healing of the Man Born Blind.
... It has already been stated, [4133] that saliva was commonly regarded as a remedy
for diseases of the eye, although, of course, not for the removal of blindness ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ix the healing of.htm

The Physical Tendencies of Fasting and Feeding Considered the ...
... herself will plainly tell with what qualities she is ever wont to find us endowed
when she sets us, before taking food and drink, with our saliva still in a ...
/.../chapter vi the physical tendencies of.htm

Marah
... There is a characteristic economy in the miraculous, and outward things are used,
as Christ used the pool and the saliva and the touch, to help the weak faith ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/marah.htm

Second Great Group of Parables.
... the companion of dogs, the scavengers of the streets, who treat him with rude
compassion as one of their number, soothing his sores with their saliva.] 22 And ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcii second great group of 6.htm

Jesus is Kind to a Stranger
... Jesus took the man away from the crowd, put his fingers into the man's ears, touched
his tongue with saliva, and looking up to heaven, sighed, and said to him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/jesus is kind to a.htm

Saliva (3 Occurrences)
...Saliva (3 Occurrences). ... John 9:6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made
mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man's eyes with the mud, (WEB NIV). ...
/s/saliva.htm - 7k

Spit (15 Occurrences)
... 7. (imp. & pp) of Spit. 8. (n.) To eject from the mouth; to throw out, as saliva
or other matter, from the mouth. ... 11. (vi) To throw out saliva from the mouth. ...
/s/spit.htm - 13k

Sympathetic (1 Occurrence)
... nervous system or some of its branches; produced by stimulation on the sympathetic
nervous system or some part of it; as, the sympathetic saliva, a modified ...
/s/sympathetic.htm - 7k

Wax (32 Occurrences)
... It is first excreted, from a row of pouches along their sides, in the form of scales,
which, being masticated and mixed with saliva, become whitened and ...
/w/wax.htm - 18k

Drivel (1 Occurrence)
... dotard. 2. (vi) To be weak or foolish; to dote; as, a driveling hero; driveling
love. 3. (n.) Slaver; saliva flowing from the mouth. 4 ...
/d/drivel.htm - 7k

Mud (15 Occurrences)
... Mud (15 Occurrences). John 9:6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made
mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man's eyes with the mud, (WEB DBY NIV) ...
/m/mud.htm - 10k

Applied (22 Occurrences)
... (DBY). John 9:6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the
saliva, anointed the blind man's eyes with the mud, (See NAS). ...
/a/applied.htm - 13k

Anointed (132 Occurrences)
... (WEY YLT). John 9:6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with
the saliva, anointed the blind man's eyes with the mud, (WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV). ...
/a/anointed.htm - 41k

Salimoth

/s/salimoth.htm - 6k

Spittle (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A small sort of spade. 4. (n.) The thick, moist matter which is secreted
by the salivary glands; saliva; spit. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/s/spittle.htm - 9k

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

What is a mime? Does the Bible say anything about miming? | GotQuestions.org

What happened at the Pool of Siloam? | GotQuestions.org

Saliva: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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