In the biblical context, flies are often associated with plagues, corruption, and decay. They are mentioned in various passages, symbolizing nuisance and divine judgment. The presence of flies in the Bible serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the power of God over creation.

Plagues of Egypt:
One of the most notable mentions of flies in the Bible is during the plagues of Egypt. In Exodus 8:21-24 , God sends swarms of flies upon the Egyptians as the fourth plague: "But if you will not let My people go, I will send swarms of flies on you and your officials, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians will be full of flies, and even the ground where they stand." This plague demonstrates God's power and serves as a judgment against Pharaoh's hardened heart. The flies infested the land, causing great distress and highlighting the distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites, as the latter were spared from this affliction.

Symbol of Corruption:
Flies are also used metaphorically in the Bible to represent corruption and decay. Ecclesiastes 10:1 states, "As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor." This verse illustrates how even a small amount of folly or sin can corrupt what is otherwise good and honorable. The imagery of dead flies spoiling precious ointment serves as a warning against allowing sin to taint one's life and reputation.

Beelzebub:
In the New Testament, flies are indirectly referenced through the name Beelzebub, which is often translated as "lord of the flies." This name is associated with a Philistine god and later became synonymous with Satan or a demonic figure. In Matthew 12:24 , the Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub: "But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, 'Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.'" This association underscores the malevolent and corrupting influence attributed to flies and their connection to evil.

Practical Implications:
In biblical times, flies were a common nuisance, particularly in the hot and arid climates of the Near East. They were attracted to decay and waste, making them a symbol of impurity and uncleanliness. The presence of flies in biblical narratives often underscores the need for purity and the consequences of moral and spiritual decay.

Spiritual Lessons:
The biblical references to flies serve as a reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and the importance of maintaining spiritual vigilance. Just as flies can quickly spoil what is pure, so can sin corrupt the heart and mind. Believers are called to guard against even the smallest transgressions, recognizing that they can lead to greater spiritual decay.

In summary, flies in the Bible are emblematic of divine judgment, corruption, and the pervasive nature of sin. They serve as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the need for holiness in the lives of His people.Flies Fly

The two following Hebrew terms denote flies of some kind:

1. Zebub , which occurs only in (Ecclesiastes 10:1) and in Isai 7:18 And is probably a generic name for an insect.
2. Arob ("swarms of flies ," "divers sorts of flies ," Authorized Version), the name of the insect or insects which God sent to punish Pharaoh; see (Exodus 8:21-31; Psalms 78:45; 105:31) The question as to what particular species is denoted, or whether any one species is to be understood, has long been a matter of dispute. As the arob are said to have filled the houses of the Egyptians, it seems not improbable that common flies (Muscidae) are more especially intended. The arob may include various species of Culicidae (gnats), such as the mosquito; but the common flies are to this day in Egypt regarded as a "plague," and are the great instrument of spreading the well-known ophthalmia, which is conveyed from one individual to another by these dreadful pests. "It is now generally supposed that the dog-fly is meant, which at certain seasons is described as a far worse plague than mosquitos. The bite is exceedingly sharp and painful, causing severe inflammation, especially in the eyelids. Coming in immense swarms, they cover all objects in black and loathsome masses, and attack every exposed part of a traveller's person with incredible pertinacity." --Cook.

954. Beelzeboul -- Beelzebul, a name of Satan
... 954 (translaterated from OT 1176, "the lord of flies" or "fly-god," cf.
2 Ki 1:2) -- Beelzebul, a title of Satan which stresses ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/954.htm - 7k

4422. ptoeo -- to terrify
... panic. 4422 (from the root meaning, "fly") -- properly, ; (figuratively) , like
when someone "flies off" into , behavior. 4422 ("terrified ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4422.htm - 7k

2070. zebub -- a fly
... Short Definition: flies. Word Origin from an unused word Definition a fly
NASB Word Usage flies (1), fly (1). fly. From an unused ...
/hebrew/2070.htm - 5k

5774a. uph -- to fly
... root Definition to fly NASB Word Usage brandish (1), flew (4), flies (3), flies
away (2), fly (4), fly away (3), flying (6), set (1), swoop down (1). ...
/hebrew/5774a.htm - 5k

1176. Baal Zebub -- "Baal of flies," a Philistine god
... from Baal and zebub Definition "Baal of flies," a Philistine god NASB Word Usage
Baal-zebub (4). Baal-zebub. From Ba'al and zbuwb; Baal of (the) Fly; Baal-Zebub ...
/hebrew/1176.htm - 6k

The Surrender of Gischala; While John Flies Away from it to ...
... CHAPTER 2. The Surrender Of Gischala; While John Flies Away From It To Jerusalem ...
should any body think of doing any thing in the night, unless it was to fly away ...
/.../chapter 2 the surrender of.htm

Evil Thoughts.
... There is no sin in the bad thoughts coming, but the sin begins when they are allowed
to settle, and to fly-blow the heart. ... They are like flies. ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lvi evil thoughts.htm

On the Animals
... [Prov.6:6; Is.7:18]. The fly is the devil; in Solomon: the flies of death
have exterminated the oil of sweetness. [Eccles.10:1]. The ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/iv on the animals.htm

John Chapter i. 5-Jan
... by God. Thus the miserable man, being troubled with the flies, became himself
a fly, and the property of the devil. In fact, Beelzebub ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate i john chapter i.htm

What virtues Ought to Exist in Him whom we Consult. ...
... For there are some things which one flies from, others which one despises. [503]
We fly from those things which can do harm, or can perfidiously and quietly ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvii what virtues ought.htm

From the Fourth Chapter.
... But as an animal cannot fly unless it have wings, so, too, the announcement of the
New ... of the Old Testament, by which it is lifted from the earth, and flies. ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the fourth chapter.htm

The Acceptance of the Christian Conception of Life Will Emancipate ...
... But that is not possible; till a first, a second, a third, a hundredth bee spreads
her wings and flies off of her own accord, the swarm will not fly off and ...
/.../tolstoy/the kingdom of god is within you/chapter ix the acceptance of.htm

Concerning the Choosing of a Day for Marriage, or for Planting, or ...
... And if this be admitted with respect to the fly, the reasoning cannot stop there,
but must ascend from flies till it lead them up to camels and elephants. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 7 concerning the choosing of.htm

Marvellous Increase of the Church
... dwell. The joy of the church is, that the poor sinner does not fly to man,
nor to the law, but flies to Christ, the dovecot! I can ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/marvellous increase of the church.htm

On Grace.
... of fly is said to be the enemy of all venomous worms, so that when he sees any worm
(going) toward man to sting him when he sleeps in the wilderness; he flies ...
/.../rolle/the form of perfect living and other prose treatises/on grace.htm

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