Moth
Natureâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Moths constitute a primary division within the order Lepidoptera, characterized by nocturnal activity and antennae that are typically feathery or thread-like. In biblical literature, the term specifically refers to the clothes-moth (Tineola bisselliella), a pest that lays eggs in woolen textiles and consumes the fabric.
What is the meaning of Moth in the Bible?
Moths constitute a primary division within the order Lepidoptera, characterized by nocturnal activity and antennae that are typically feathery or thread-like. In biblical literature, the term specifically refers to the clothes-moth (Tineola bisselliella), a pest that lays eggs in woolen textiles and consumes the fabric.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the destructive feeding habits of the clothes-moth illuminates biblical metaphors that compare the insect's gradual consumption of wool to the slow erosion of wealth, physical health, or social standing.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Moth in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Moth clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.