πτύω (G4429) — Greek Lexicon

πτύω

ptýō

G4429 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To eject saliva from the mouth; to spit. In its core usage, the verb indicates the physical act of expelling saliva, usually as an involuntary or deliberate gesture. In various contexts, it may denote spitting as an act of contempt, insult, or ritual uncleanness, or simply as a bodily function.

Semantic Range

to spit, to expel saliva; to spit in contempt, to perform an act signaling insult or uncleanness, to expectorate (bodily function)

Root / Etymology

Root is πτυ-, related to the onomatopoeic formation and possibly connected to πτύσσω but not derived from it. The formation appears native and early.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Classical Greek usage attests πτύω in Homer and other early sources, referring generally to the physical act of spitting. In Hellenistic Greek and the New Testament, πτύω can carry social or symbolic significance; for instance, spitting could express derision, contempt, or ritual exclusion (as seen in contexts of insult or the perception of uncleanness, such as Mark 10:34 and 15:19). In Greek medical and instructional texts, spitting occurs as a physiological description. The act of spitting may or may not carry intentional offense depending on context. Standard English translations capture the literal sense ('to spit') but sometimes do not convey the full social or ritual significance carried by the act in ancient Mediterranean cultures, where spitting at or on someone functioned as a powerful gesture of insult or shame. No substantial semantic shift between Septuagint and New Testament usage; the term remains literal and non-metaphorical. Closely related but different is ἐμπτύω, 'to spit on,' denoting spitting with a specified target, often as an act of scorn.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary verb (compare πτύσσω); to spit:--spit.

Root Family

πτύω (ptyō) — to spit, to eject saliva

Root πτυ- to spit, to eject saliva

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4429-02`	πτύσας	ptusas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	spitting	having spat	having spat	2
`G4429-01`	ἔπτυσεν	eptusen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he spat	he spat	he spat	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4429-02`	Mark 7:33	πτύσας	ptusas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	spitting	having spat	having spit
`G4429-02`	Mark 8:23	πτύσας	ptusas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	spitting	having spat	having spat
`G4429-01`	John 9:6	ἔπτυσεν	eptusen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he spat	he spat	he spat

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