UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to spit (on)

Semantic entry: 23.43

Semantic domains: Physiological Processes and States

Subdomains: Processes Involving the Mouth, Other Than Eating and Drinking

Definition: to spit on or at something or someone{N:001}

Notes: In some societies spitting has quite a different symbolic meaning than it has in the Western world. In fact, in some societies in Africa, to spit upon a person’s head is to confer a blessing. It may therefore be necessary in the case of RV MAT 26:67 · LV MAT 26:67 · Read together MAT 26:67 to translate ‘they spat in his face’ as ‘they spat in his face to dishonor him’ or ‘… to show their anger against him.’