Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, the moth is often used symbolically to represent the frailty and transience of human life and earthly possessions. The moth, a small and seemingly insignificant creature, is known for its ability to cause destruction, particularly to clothing and fabrics. This characteristic is employed in Scripture to illustrate the vulnerability of material wealth and the inevitable decay of worldly treasures.Biblical References: 1. Job 13:28 : "So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths." In this verse, Job laments the frailty of human existence, comparing it to a garment that is gradually destroyed by moths. This imagery underscores the theme of human mortality and the ephemeral nature of life. 2. Psalm 39:11 : "You discipline a man with punishment for iniquity, consuming like a moth what is precious to him; surely all mankind is but a vapor." Here, the psalmist reflects on the fleeting nature of human life and possessions. The moth serves as a metaphor for God's judgment, which can consume what is valued by humans, emphasizing the temporary nature of earthly wealth. 3. Isaiah 50:9 : "Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who is he who will condemn me? Indeed, they will all wear out like a garment; a moth will devour them." In this passage, the prophet Isaiah speaks of the ultimate triumph of God's servant over his adversaries. The imagery of a moth devouring a garment illustrates the eventual downfall of those who oppose God's will. 4. Isaiah 51:8 : "For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will devour them like wool. But My righteousness will last forever, My salvation through all generations." This verse contrasts the impermanence of human adversaries with the eternal nature of God's righteousness and salvation. The moth symbolizes the inevitable decay of those who do not align with God's eternal purposes. 5. Hosea 5:12 : "So I am like a moth to Ephraim, and like decay to the house of Judah." In this prophetic declaration, God describes Himself as a moth to Ephraim, indicating a gradual and consuming judgment. The moth's destructive nature serves as a metaphor for the divine discipline that will come upon the people due to their unfaithfulness. 6. Matthew 6:19-20 : "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns against placing trust in earthly riches, which are susceptible to decay and loss. The moth is used to illustrate the vulnerability of material possessions, urging believers to focus on eternal treasures. Symbolic Significance: The moth, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a powerful symbol of the impermanence and vulnerability of human life and material wealth. It reminds believers of the importance of prioritizing spiritual over temporal values. The destructive nature of the moth is a metaphor for the inevitable decay that accompanies earthly possessions, urging individuals to seek lasting treasures in the kingdom of God. Through these scriptural references, the moth becomes a poignant reminder of the transient nature of worldly pursuits and the enduring significance of spiritual devotion. Smith's Bible Dictionary MothBy the Hebrew word we are certainly to understand some species of clothes-moth (tinea). Reference to the destructive habits of the clothes-moth is made in (Job 4:19; 13:28; Psalms 39:11) etc. (The moth is a well-known insect which in its caterpillar state is very destructive to woollen clothing, furs, etc. The egg of the moth, being deposited on the fur or cloth, produces a very small shining insect, which immediately forms a house for itself by cuttings from the cloth. It east away the nap, and finally ruins the fabric. There are more than 1500 species of moths. --McClintock and Strong's Cyclopedia.) ATS Bible Dictionary MothThe common moth is an insect destructive to woolen cloths. The egg is laid by a small shining worm; which by another transformation becomes a miller. Allusions to the moth, as devouring clothes, and as a frail and feeble insect, are frequent in Scripture, Job 4:19 13:28 27:18 Isaiah 50:9 Hosea 5:12 Matthew 6:19,20. See GARMENTS. The insects called in general moths, of which the above is only one species, are exceedingly numerous. The main genus is called by naturalists Phaloena, and contains more than fifteen hundred species. Moths fly abroad only in the evening and night; differing in this respect from the tribe of butterflies that fly only by day. Their larva, or the worms from which they spring, are active, and quick in motion, mostly smooth, and prey voraciously on the food adapted to them; the common moth on cloths, others on furs, the leaves of plants, etc. Easton's Bible Dictionary Hebrews `ash, from a root meaning "to fall away," as moth-eaten garments fall to pieces (Job 4:19; 13:28; Isaiah 50:9; 51:8; Hosea 5:12).Gr. ses, thus rendered in Matthew 6:19, 20; Luke 12:33. Allusion is thus made to the destruction of clothing by the larvae of the clothes-moth. This is the only lepidopterous insect referred to in Scripture. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A mote.2. (n.) Any nocturnal lepidopterous insect, or any not included among the butterflies; as, the luna moth; Io moth; hawk moth. 3. (n.) Any lepidopterous insect that feeds upon garments, grain, etc.; as, the clothes moth; grain moth; bee moth. 4. (n.) Any one of various other insects that destroy woolen and fur goods, etc., esp. the larvae of several species of beetles of the genera Dermestes and Anthrenus. Carpet moths are often the larvae of Anthrenus. See Carpet beetle, under Carpet, Dermestes, Anthrenus. 5. (n.) Anything which gradually and silently eats, consumes, or wastes any other thing. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia MOTHmoth (`ash; compare Arabic `uththat, "moth"; colloquial, `itt; cac, "worm" (Isaiah 51:8); compare Arabic sus, "worm," especially an insect larva in flesh, wood or grain; ses, "moth" (Matthew 6:19, 20 Luke 12:33); setobrotos, "moth-eaten" (James 5:2)): Greek 4597. ses -- a moth ... 4596, 4597. ses. 4598 . a moth. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: ses Phonetic Spelling: (sace) Short Definition: a moth Definition: a moth. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4597.htm - 6k 4598. setobrotos -- moth-eaten 5095. Timotheos -- Timothy, a Christian Strong's Hebrew 6211. ash -- a moth... 6210, 6211. ash. 6212 . a moth. Transliteration: ash Phonetic Spelling: (awsh) Short Definition: moth. Word Origin from ashesh Definition ... /hebrew/6211.htm - 6k 5580. sas -- a moth 4193. moth -- death. 1120. Bamoth -- "high place," a place in Moab 2454. chokmoth -- wisdom, every wise woman 7433. Ramoth Gilad -- a city East of the Jordan 7216. Ramoth -- "heights," the name of several cities in Isr. 8070. Shemiramoth -- probably "name of heights," two Levites 1181. baale bamoth -- lords of (the) high places 1020. Beth Hayshimoth -- "place of the desert," a place East of ... Library The Heart with the Treasure. As in a Race Saw I the Disputers, the Children of Strife, [Trying] ... The Disciples as Scribes. The Holy Spirit is that Large River by which the Mystical ... What Christ Himself Taught. Hearts and Treasures Matt. vi. 16 The Sins of the Elect and of the Penitent are of Many Kinds, but ... Christian Devotedness, Etc. Seeketh not Her Own. 1 Corinthians 13:5. Thesaurus Moth (10 Occurrences)... Hebrews `ash, from a root meaning "to fall away," as moth-eaten garments fall to pieces (Job 4:19; 13:28; Isaiah 50:9; 51:8; Hosea 5:12). Gr. ... /m/moth.htm - 13k Moth-eaten (2 Occurrences) Moth's (1 Occurrence) Ahi'moth (1 Occurrence) Shelo'moth (5 Occurrences) Ra'moth-gil'ead (1 Occurrence) Ba'moth-ba'al (1 Occurrence) Ham'moth-dor (1 Occurrence) Coral (3 Occurrences) Shelomoth (5 Occurrences) Resources What do creationists believe about natural selection? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that “where your treasure is there will your heart be also”? | GotQuestions.org Can Christians live their best life now? | GotQuestions.org Moth: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Moth (10 Occurrences)Matthew 6:19 Matthew 6:20 Luke 12:33 Job 4:19 Job 13:28 Job 27:18 Psalms 39:11 Isaiah 50:9 Isaiah 51:8 Hosea 5:12 Subtopics The Moth of God in the Execution of his Judgments The Moth: (Eating a Garment) of God's Judgments The Moth: (Garments Eaten By) of Those Who Have Suffered Severe The Moth: (Making Its House in Garments) of Man's Folly in Providing The Moth: Destroyed by the Slightest Touch The Moth: Destructive to Garments Related Terms Ra'moth-gil'ead (1 Occurrence) |
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