Lexical Summary sas: To rejoice, to exult Original Word: סָס Strong's Exhaustive Concordance moth From the same as cuwc; a moth (from the agility of the fly) -- moth. see HEBREW cuwc NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a moth NASB Translation grub (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs סָ֑ס noun masculine moth (ᵑ7 סָסָא, Syriac  ; Assyrian sâsu, DlHWB 506; Arabic  ,  ; Ethiopic  Thes LagArmen. Stud. § 2262 compare Armenian zez = Greek σής, which is derived from סָס by BoHieroz. iii. 514 LewyFremdw. 16 f.); — וְכַצֶּמֶר יאֹכְלֵם סָ֑ס Isaiah 51:8. Topical Lexicon Zoological Identity and Cultural Setting The term points to the clothes-moth, a tiny winged insect that lays eggs in woven fabrics. In the ancient Near East, garments signified status and security; yet a creature almost invisible to the naked eye could silently destroy what seemed durable. Israelite households stored wool under constant threat from such pests, so the image carried immediate force for Isaiah’s hearers. Canonical Occurrence Isaiah 51:8 contains the word’s sole attestation: “For the moth will consume them like a garment, and the worm will devour them like wool. But My righteousness will last forever, My salvation through all generations” (Berean Standard Bible). Here the prophet contrasts the inevitable disintegration of the oppressor with the everlasting righteousness of the Lord. The rare noun heightens the verse’s vividness, as if to say, “Even a scarcely mentioned creature will suffice to undo the might of nations.” Symbolism of Decay and Divine Permanence Throughout Scripture, moths illustrate two related truths: human frailty and the corruptibility of earthly treasures. By choosing this particular word, Isaiah deepens those themes. The oppressors of Zion think themselves formidable, yet they will vanish as effortlessly as a cloak riddled by larvae. Conversely, the LORD’s saving acts are immune to time. The verse thus functions liturgically, inviting Israel to place ultimate confidence not in visible power but in the everlasting covenant. Intertextual Echoes of Moth Imagery While different Hebrew or Greek terms are used elsewhere, the broader canon amplifies Isaiah’s point: Each passage reinforces the lesson that anything detached from God’s righteousness is vulnerable to swift and silent ruin. Theological and Ministry Implications 1. Assurance for the persecuted: Isaiah addresses a community facing exile. The singular appearance of this noun underscores the singular certainty of divine intervention. Christological Fulfillment The Servant Songs that surround Isaiah 51 culminate in Isaiah 53, where the Servant bears transgressions to secure an “eternal covenant” (Isaiah 55:3). The contrast between the moth-eaten garment and everlasting salvation anticipates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, whose triumph guarantees that believers “put on the new self” imperishable and undefiled (1 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 4:24). Practical Application for Believers Today • Stewardship: invest in gospel endeavors immune to moth and rust rather than in fading luxuries. Summary Though occurring only once, the word paints a memorable picture: the slightest creature can erase mighty adversaries, while God’s righteousness and salvation remain forever. Faith, therefore, must rest not on transient power structures but on the unchanging Lord who clothes His people in everlasting righteousness through Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations סָ֑ס סס Sas sāsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 51:8 HEB: וְכַצֶּ֖מֶר יֹאכְלֵ֣ם סָ֑ס וְצִדְקָתִי֙ לְעוֹלָ֣ם NAS: them like a garment, And the grub will eat KJV: like a garment, and the worm shall eat INT: wool will eat and the grub my righteousness will be forever |
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