Lexical Summary zebub: Fly Original Word: זְבוּב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fly From an unused root (meaning to flit); a fly (especially one of a stinging nature) -- fly. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a fly NASB Translation flies (1), fly (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs זְבוּב noun masculineEcclesiastes 10:1 fly (as moving to and fro in the air? compare Fl NHWBi. 438 b; Late Hebrew id., Assyrian zumbu, DlS 63 f.; Arabic  , Aramaic דִּיבָבָא,  ,  ); — literal only זְבוּבֵי מָוֶת Ecclesiastes 10:1 i.e. dead flies; so AV RV Hi Now and others; > ᵐ5 De and others death-bringing, deadly flies; זְבוּב metaphor of Egyptian army Isaiah 7:18 ("" דְּבוֺרָה, bee, of Assyrian); on בַּעַל זְבוּב see בַּעַל II. 4, p. 127 above Topical Lexicon Term Overview זְבוּב (zebub) denotes the common housefly or a similar swarming insect. Though mentioned only twice, the image of the fly functions as a striking literary device, drawing on the insect’s reputation for nuisance, decay, and overwhelming numbers. Occurrences in Scripture • Ecclesiastes 10:1—“As dead flies give perfume a foul odor, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.” Contextual Usage 1. Ecclesiastes 10:1 employs the fly as a metaphor for how a small moral failure can corrode a life otherwise marked by wisdom. The preacher’s reflection underscores the fragility of a good reputation; corruption spreads like the stench caused by a single contaminant in costly ointment. Symbolism and Theological Implications • Corruption and Contagion: Flies breed in decay. Their presence in Ecclesiastes warns that sin, even in “small” measure, compromises holiness and testimony (compare 1 Corinthians 5:6). Historical and Cultural Background In the ancient Near East, flies thrived near stagnant water and refuse, contributing to disease. They were particularly associated with Egypt’s marshlands. Egyptian religion even featured minor deities connected with insects, which heightens Isaiah’s irony: the God of Israel would requisition Egypt’s own “guardians” against His people. Moreover, the Philistine deity “Baal-zebub” (2 Kings 1:2) means “lord of the flies,” a mocking epithet that underscores the impotence of idols when set against the true God who wields real flies at will. Related Biblical Themes • Holiness and Integrity: The fly illustrates how compromise undermines a believer’s witness (Proverbs 22:1; 1 Peter 2:12). Practical and Devotional Insights • Guard the Small Things: Daily choices that seem inconsequential can either preserve or taint a lifetime of faithfulness. Vigilance in thought and action prevents the “dead fly” of folly from spoiling a godly aroma (2 Corinthians 2:15). Conclusion Though fleeting in the biblical text, זְבוּב offers a powerful reminder that minute agents can signal profound truths. Flies expose the subtlety of sin, the certainty of divine judgment, and the sweeping sovereignty of the Lord who governs all—from perfumes in a jar to empires on the march. Forms and Transliterations זְב֣וּבֵי זבובי לַזְּב֔וּב לזבוב laz·zə·ḇūḇ lazzəḇūḇ lazzeVuv zə·ḇū·ḇê zəḇūḇê zeVuveiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ecclesiastes 10:1 HEB: זְב֣וּבֵי מָ֔וֶת יַבְאִ֥ישׁ NAS: Dead flies make a perfumer's oil KJV: Dead flies cause the ointment INT: flies Dead stink Isaiah 7:18 2 Occurrences |
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