Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Biblical References:Lice are mentioned in the context of the plagues of Egypt in the Book of Exodus. The specific reference is found in Exodus 8:16-19. In this passage, lice are described as the third plague that God inflicted upon Egypt through Moses and Aaron. Exodus 8:16-19 : "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Tell Aaron, "Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the ground," and throughout the land of Egypt the dust will become gnats.' They did this, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with the staff and struck the dust of the ground, gnats came upon men and animals. All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became gnats. The magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, but they could not. And the gnats were on men and animals. The magicians said to Pharaoh, 'This is the finger of God.' But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said." Interpretation and Significance: In the biblical narrative, the plague of lice (or gnats, as some translations render it) serves as a demonstration of God's power over creation and His authority over the Egyptian deities. The transformation of dust into lice signifies the divine ability to bring life from the inanimate, a direct challenge to the Egyptian magicians and their supposed powers. The inability of the magicians to replicate this miracle underscores the supremacy of the God of Israel over the gods of Egypt. Theologically, the plague of lice is significant as it marks a turning point in the plagues narrative. It is the first plague that the Egyptian magicians could not replicate, leading them to acknowledge, "This is the finger of God." This acknowledgment, however, does not lead to Pharaoh's repentance or the release of the Israelites, highlighting the theme of hardened hearts and divine judgment. Cultural and Historical Context: In ancient Egypt, cleanliness and hygiene were highly valued, and lice would have been considered a significant nuisance and impurity. The presence of lice on both people and animals would have disrupted daily life and religious practices, as the Egyptians placed great emphasis on ritual purity. This plague, therefore, not only caused physical discomfort but also had religious and social implications, further demonstrating the comprehensive nature of God's judgment against Egypt. Symbolism: Lice, as a symbol of impurity and discomfort, serve to illustrate the broader theme of defilement and the consequences of sin. In the biblical context, the plagues are a response to Pharaoh's refusal to acknowledge God's sovereignty and to release the Israelites from bondage. The infestation of lice can be seen as a physical manifestation of the spiritual corruption and stubbornness of the Egyptian leadership. Conclusion: The plague of lice is a powerful testament to God's control over nature and His ability to use even the smallest creatures to fulfill His purposes. It serves as a reminder of the futility of resisting God's will and the importance of recognizing His authority in all aspects of life. Smith's Bible Dictionary Lice(Heb. cinnam, cinnim). this word occurs in the Authorized Version only in (Exodus 8:16-18) and in (Psalms 105:31) both of which passages have reference to the third great plague of Egypt. The Hebrew word has given occasion to whole pages of discussion. Some commentators, and indeed modern writers generally, suppose that gnats are the animals intended by the original word; while, on the other hand, the Jewish rabbis, Josephus and others, are in favor of the translation of the Authorized Version. Upon the whole it appears that there is not sufficient authority for departing from this translation. Late travellers (e.g. Sir Samuel Baker) describe the visitation of vermin in very similar terms: --"It is as though the very dust were turned into lice." The lice which he describes are a sort of tick, not larger than a grain of sand, which when filled with blood expand to the size of a hazel nut. --Canon Cook. ATS Bible Dictionary LiceThe third plague of Egypt, Exodus 8:16; Psalm 105:31; peculiarly offensive to the priests, who were obliged to shave and wash their entire body every third day, lest they should carry any vermin into the temples. According to many interpreters, lest they were the small stinging gnats which abound in Egypt. Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews kinnim), the creatures employed in the third plague sent upon Egypt (Exodus 8:16-18). They were miraculously produced from the dust of the land. "The entomologists Kirby and Spence place these minute but disgusting insects in the very front rank of those which inflict injury upon man. A terrible list of examples they have collected of the ravages of this and closely allied parasitic pests." The plague of lice is referred to in Psalm 105:31.Some have supposed that the word denotes not lice properly, but gnats. Others, with greater probability, take it to mean the "tick" which is much larger than lice. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) pl. of Louse.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia LICElis (kinnim (Exodus 8:17, 18 Psalm 105:31), kinnim (Exodus 8:16), kinnam (Exodus 8:17, 18); Septuagint skniphes (Exodus 8:16, 18), ton sknipha, once in Exodus 8:18; sknipes (Psalm 105:31); Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) scniphes; according to Liddell and Scott, under the word sknips, Slav. sknipa equals culex): The references, both in Exodus and in Psalms, are all to the plague of "lice." the Revised Version margin suggests "fleas" or "sandflies." The Septuagint rendering would favor "sandflies" or "mosquitoes," between which two insects the Old Testament writers would hardly be expected to discriminate. Mosquitoes belong to the order of Diptera, family Culicidae; the sandfly (Plebotomus papataci) to the family of Simuliidae of the same order. The sandflies are much smaller than mosquitoes, and are nearly noiseless, but give a sharp sting which may leave an unpleasant irritation. They are abundant in the Levant. In Southern Europe they cause the "three-day fever" or "papataci." As stated under GNAT (which see), there is little ground other than the authority of the Septuagint for deciding between "lice," "fleas," "sand-flies," or "mosquitoes" as translations of kinnim. See also under GNAT the note on ken, the Revised Version margin "gnat" (Isaiah 51:6). Strong's Hebrew 3654. ken -- gnat, gnats, a gnat swarm... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition gnat, gnats, a gnat swarm NASB Word Usage gnats (6), manner (1). lice, manner. ... 13:14)) -- lice, X manner. ... /hebrew/3654.htm - 6k Library The Plagues of Egypt Here, it May be Said, My Book Ends Just Where it Ought to Begin. . ... Description of the Symbol of the Hands among the Manich??ans. Full Redemption Separating the Precious from the Vile The Rod that Troubled Egypt. On Psalm Lxxvii. Or Lxxviii. Great Miracles Wrought by Magic Arts. Psalm 105 Concerning the Ten Plagues which came Upon the Egyptians. Thesaurus Lice (4 Occurrences)... A terrible list of examples they have collected of the ravages of this and closely allied parasitic pests." The plague of lice is referred to in Psalm 105:31. ... /l/lice.htm - 10k Gnat (1 Occurrence) Plagues (28 Occurrences) Flies (16 Occurrences) Animals (224 Occurrences) Animal (163 Occurrences) Inchantments (1 Occurrence) Insects (17 Occurrences) Flea (2 Occurrences) Enchantments (12 Occurrences) Resources What is the anointing? What does it mean to be anointed? | GotQuestions.orgLice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Lice (4 Occurrences)Exodus 8:16 Exodus 8:17 Exodus 8:18 Psalms 105:31 Subtopics Related Terms |
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