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Matthew 6:19


Footnote:

17

The word "σής" (sēs) has a Hebrew origin: Hebrew סָס, sas Isaiah 51:8 see Strongs #5580.

Primary Meaning: Moth.

  • Example: "[χρυσὸν] οὐ σ. οὐδὲ κὶς δάπτει" (Gold neither moth nor rust consumes) - Pindar.
  • Also found in Aristophanes, Strabo, Matthew 6:19, and Luke 12:33.

Metaphorical: Refers to "bookworms" or "grammarians."

  • Example: "σῆτες ἀκανθοβάται" or "-λόγοι" (thorn-walkers or -speakers), referring to grammarians or bookworms in the Anthologia Palatina (Antiphanes, Philodemus).

It goes without saying that Jesus uses symbolic language. What is a moth? A bookworm that attacks books. See Logeion Greek for more info.