Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The gnat is a small, flying insect mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the New Testament. It is often associated with meticulous attention to minor details while neglecting more significant matters. The gnat is referenced in the context of Jesus' teachings, where He uses it metaphorically to illustrate the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His time.Biblical Reference: The primary biblical reference to the gnat is found in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus addresses the scribes and Pharisees, criticizing their focus on trivial matters while ignoring the weightier aspects of the law: · Matthew 23:24 : "You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel." In this passage, Jesus uses hyperbole to emphasize the absurdity of the Pharisees' behavior. The gnat, being one of the smallest of creatures, represents minor, insignificant issues. In contrast, the camel, one of the largest animals in the region, symbolizes major, significant matters. The Pharisees are depicted as being overly concerned with minor ritual impurities, such as straining out a gnat from their drink, while simultaneously neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness, which are the more substantial requirements of the law. Cultural and Religious Context: In Jewish dietary laws, certain insects were considered unclean (Leviticus 11:20-23). The Pharisees, known for their strict adherence to the law, would go to great lengths to avoid consuming anything unclean, including straining their drinks to remove any tiny insects like gnats. This practice, while demonstrating their commitment to ritual purity, became a point of criticism by Jesus, who highlighted their failure to prioritize the more critical aspects of the law. Symbolism and Interpretation: The gnat serves as a symbol of the tendency to focus on minor details at the expense of more important spiritual truths. Jesus' use of this metaphor underscores the need for a balanced approach to religious observance, where the heart of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness—is not overshadowed by an overemphasis on ritualistic precision. This teaching remains relevant for believers, serving as a reminder to prioritize the core principles of faith and to avoid becoming entangled in legalistic practices that detract from the essence of God's commandments. The gnat, therefore, is a powerful illustration of the call to genuine righteousness that transcends mere outward compliance. Smith's Bible Dictionary Gnata species of mosquito mentioned only in the proverbial expression used by our Saviour in (Matthew 23:21) ATS Bible Dictionary GnatA small winged stinging insect, a mosquito, spoken of in the proverbial expression, Matthew 23:24, "Ye strain at a gnat, and swallow in a camel," which should read, as it did in the first English translations, "Ye strain out a gnat," etc. The expression alludes to the Jewish custom of filtering wine, for fear of swallowing any insect forbidden by the law as unclean, Le 11:23; and is applied to those who are superstitiously anxious in avoiding small faults, yet do not scruple to commit great sins. Easton's Bible Dictionary Only in Matthew 23:24, a small two-winged stinging fly of the genus Culex, which includes mosquitoes. Our Lord alludes here to the gnat in a proverbial expression probably in common use, "who strain out the gnat;" the words in the Authorized Version, "strain at a gnat," being a mere typographical error, which has been corrected in the Revised Version. The custom of filtering wine for this purpose was common among the Jews. It was founded on Leviticus 11:23. It is supposed that the "lice," Exodus 8:16 (marg. R.V., "sand-flies"), were a species of gnat. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A blood-sucking dipterous fly, of the genus Culex, undergoing a metamorphosis in water. The females have a proboscis armed with needlelike organs for penetrating the skin of animals. These are wanting in the males. In America they are generally called mosquitoes. See Mosquito.2. (n.) Any fly resembling a Culex in form or habits; esp., in America, a small biting fly of the genus Simulium and allies, as the buffalo gnat, the black fly, etc. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia GNATnat (in English Versions of the Bible, only in Matthew 23:24, konops. In Exodus 8:16, for English Versions of the Bible "lice," one of the plagues of Egypt, kinnim, kinniym, or kinnam, we find in the Revised Version, margin "sand flies" or "fleas" (Gesenius "gnat"; Mandelkern "culex"). For kemo ken (Isaiah 51:6), English Versions of the Bible "in like manner," Septuagint hosper tauta, Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) sicut haec, the Revised Version, margin has "like gnats" since ken, elsewhere "thus," may here be taken to be a singular of the form kinnim, which occurs in Exodus 8): In the New Testament passage, the difference between the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) should be noted. "Strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel" is changed to "strain out the gnat and swallow the camel," the reference being to the inconsistency of the Jewish religious leaders in taking extraordinary pains in some things, as in the preparation of food, while leaving weightier matters unattended to. Greek 2971. konops -- a gnat ... a gnat. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: konops Phonetic Spelling: (ko'-nopes) Short Definition: a gnat, mosquito Definition: a gnat, mosquito ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2971.htm - 6k Strong's Hebrew 3654. ken -- gnat, gnats, a gnat swarm... 3653b, 3654. ken. 3655 . gnat, gnats, a gnat swarm. Transliteration: ken Phonetic Spelling: (kane) Short Definition: gnats. Word ... /hebrew/3654.htm - 6k Library His Preaching. Cavils of the Philosophers. Hypocrisy Life. Psalm CXLVIII. Matt. xxiii. 14 Introductory Letter. A Christmas Question The Powers of Darkness Fun and Mischief. His Little Cousin and the "Gnats. " the Aurora ... Thesaurus Gnat (1 Occurrence)... Our Lord alludes here to the gnat in a proverbial expression probably in common use, "who strain out the gnat;" the words in the Authorized Version, "strain at ... /g/gnat.htm - 10k Lice (4 Occurrences) Camel (13 Occurrences) Flea (2 Occurrences) Strain (5 Occurrences) Gnashing (10 Occurrences) Needle (4 Occurrences) Guides (24 Occurrences) Gulp (1 Occurrence) Gnats (5 Occurrences) Resources What is 119 Ministries? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is eating dairy products and meat in the same meal considered not kosher? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to be overrighteous and overwise (Ecclesiastes 7:16)? | GotQuestions.org Gnat: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Gnat (1 Occurrence)Matthew 23:24 Subtopics Related Terms |
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