Moth

Heb. ‘ash, from a root meaning “to fall away,” as moth-eaten garments fall to pieces (Job 4:19; 13:28; Isa. 50:9; 51:8; Hos. 5:12). Gr. ses, thus rendered in Matt. 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.

By 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.)

MOTH. By this word is meant the clothes-moth, which, in its caterpillar state, is very destructive to woven fabrics. The eggs of this miller, being deposited on fur or cloth, produce a small, soft worm which immediately forms a house for itself by cutting from the cloth, which it thus weakens and destroys. In Job 4:19 man is said to be "crushed before the moth" that is, more easily than the moth. There are also references to the destructiveness of this insect in Job 13:28; Ps 39:11; Isa 50:9; Isa 51:6, Jer 51:8; Hos 5:12; Matt 6:19-20; Jas 5:2. In Ps 6:7 the word "consumed" properly means "moth-eaten." As much of the treasure of the ancients consisted in costly garments, we may readily understand why the moth was considered so noxious an insect, and this will teach us the true import of our Saviour's words. Matt 6:19-20. It was common in Asia to lay up stores of precious garments, which descended as an inheritance to children, for their modes of dress never changed; but the moth was a formidable enemy to such treasures, so as to render it useless to take much pains to lay them up.

MOTH. By this word is meant the clothes-moth, which, in its caterpillar state, is very destructive to woven fabrics. The eggs of this miller, being deposited on fur or cloth, produce a small, soft worm which immediately forms a house for itself by cutting from the cloth, which it thus weakens and destroys. In Job 4:19 man is said to be "crushed before the moth" that is, more easily than the moth. There are also references to the destructiveness of this insect in Job 13:28; Ps 39:11; Isa 50:9; Isa 51:6, Jer 51:8; Hos 5:12; Matt 6:19-20; Jas 5:2. In Ps 6:7 the word "consumed" properly means "moth-eaten." As much of the treasure of the ancients consisted in costly garments, we may readily understand why the moth was considered so noxious an insect, and this will teach us the true import of our Saviour's words. Matt 6:19-20. It was common in Asia to lay up stores of precious garments, which descended as an inheritance to children, for their modes of dress never changed; but the moth was a formidable enemy to such treasures, so as to render it useless to take much pains to lay them up.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

A mote. [Obs.] Shak.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. Any nocturnal lepidopterous insect, or any not included among the butterflies; as, the luna moth; Io moth; hawk moth.

2. Any lepidopterous insect that feeds upon garments, grain, etc.; as, the clothes moth; grain moth; bee moth. See these terms under Clothes, Grain, etc.

3. Any one of various other insects that destroy woolen and fur goods, etc., esp. the larvæ of several species of beetles of the genera Dermestes and Anthrenus. Carpet moths are often the larvæ of Anthrenus. See Carpet beetle, under Carpet, Dermestes, Anthrenus.

4. Anything which gradually and silently eats, consumes, or wastes any other thing. Moth blight (Zoöl.), any plant louse of the genus Aleurodes, and related genera. They are injurious to various plants. -- Moth gnat (Zoöl.), a dipterous insect of the genus Bychoda, having fringed wings. -- Moth hunter (Zoöl.), the goatsucker. -- Moth miller (Zoöl.), a clothes moth. See Miller, 3, (a). -- Moth mullein (Bot.), a common herb of the genus Verbascum (V. Blattaria), having large wheel-shaped yellow or whitish flowers.