Lexical Summary sés: Moth Original Word: σής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance moth. Apparently of Hebrew origin (cac); a moth -- moth. see HEBREW cac NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a moth NASB Translation moth (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4597: σήςσής, σητός, ὁ (Hebrew סָס., Isaiah 51:8; עָשׁ, Job 4:19; Job 13:28), a moth, the clothes-moth (B. D., under the word Topical Lexicon Term Overview Strong's Greek 4597 designates a literal moth, the small insect whose larvae feed on cloth and other organic fibers. Because garments were among the most prized forms of wealth in the ancient Near East, the eating away of clothing by moths became a vivid emblem of the fragility and impermanence of earthly riches. Scripture employs the insect both literally and figuratively to caution believers against misplaced trust in material possessions and to redirect attention to the enduring treasure of the kingdom of God. Occurrences in the New Testament The term appears three times, all on the lips of Jesus: Matthew 6:19; Matthew 6:20; Luke 12:33. In each case the moth is paired with “rust” or “thief,” forming a triad of agents that render earthly treasure insecure. The repetition within the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6) and the parallel teaching in Luke’s travel narrative underline the centrality of the warning and the consistent emphasis Jesus places on eternal priorities. Old Testament Background and Jewish Context Hebrew Scripture had already established the image of the moth as a destroyer. Job compared human hope to “a house of a moth” (Job 27:18), while Isaiah declared, “Their moth will eat them like a garment” (Isaiah 51:8). These passages shaped first-century Jewish imagination, making Jesus’ hearers immediately aware of the metaphor’s force. In rabbinic writings, depreciating insects such as moths and maggots often symbolize transience; Jesus taps into that shared cultural vocabulary. Symbolic Significance 1. Transience: Garments targeted by moths represent luxury that deteriorates imperceptibly yet inexorably. Theological Implications • Stewardship: Earthly resources are temporary trusts, not ultimate securities (compare 1 Timothy 6:17-19). Practical Ministry Applications • Discipleship Training: Teach believers to conduct periodic “moth inspections” of their priorities—examining whether financial choices serve eternal purposes. Historical and Cultural Insights In first-century Palestine fine garments signified status and were frequently part of dowries or inheritances. Storerooms lacked modern protections; cedar chests and aromatic oils offered only limited deterrence. Therefore listeners readily grasped the moth’s menace. Contemporary readers may substitute digital theft or market collapse, yet the ancient image retains evocative power. Patristic Reflections • Chrysostom saw the moth as an allegory for secret sins that “consume the soul’s garment of righteousness.” These early interpretations deepen pastoral appreciation of the text beyond monetary concerns to the broader realm of spiritual integrity. Homiletical and Discipleship Considerations Sermons can pair the moth passages with living testimonies of believers who exchanged temporal comfort for eternal fruitfulness. Small-group studies may explore practical budgeting that reflects kingdom priorities. Youth ministries can illustrate with a “moth-eaten” piece of cloth contrasted with a preserved, spotless garment, driving home the lesson visually. Related Biblical Imagery • Rust (Matthew 6:19-20)—corrosion of metal assets parallels the moth’s effect on fabric. By invoking the humble moth, Jesus offers a timeless call to store up imperishable treasure through obedience, generosity, and undivided devotion to the Father. Forms and Transliterations σης σὴς σήτες σητός ses sēs sḕsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 6:19 N-NMSGRK: γῆς ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις NAS: on earth, where moth and rust destroy, KJV: earth, where moth and rust INT: earth where moth and rust Matthew 6:20 N-NMS Luke 12:33 N-NMS |
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