from the same as סוּס; a moth (from the agility of the fly); moth.
Transliteration:çâç
Pronunciation:sawce
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma סָס (çâç), transliterated as "sas," denotes a "moth." The base definition provided by Strong's links its origin to a root implying "agility," perhaps suggesting the darting movement of the insect. Its primary semantic range is quite narrow, referring specifically to the textile-eating insect. However, its metaphorical and symbolic applications in the biblical text expand its conceptual reach significantly. It consistently evokes notions of decay, gradual destruction, and the ephemeral nature of material things.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H5580 appears three times in the Hebrew Bible, each instance powerfully illustrating its destructive capacity and symbolic weight:
* **[[Job 13:28]]**: "though I am like a rotten thing that consumes, like a garment that is moth-eaten (çâç)." Here, Job, in his lament, likens his own decaying physical state to a garment consumed by a moth. The moth serves as a vivid image of slow, insidious deterioration and vulnerability, emphasizing human frailty and the inevitability of physical decay.
* **[[Isaiah 51:8]]**: "For the moth (çâç) will eat them up like a garment, and the worm (`{{H7415}}`) will eat them like wool; but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations." In this prophetic declaration, the moth is paired with the worm (`{{H7415}}`, *rimmah*) as agents of consumption and decay, specifically targeting garments and wool. This imagery underscores the transient nature of worldly power, human achievements, and even the physical existence of oppressors. It stands in stark contrast to the eternal and unyielding nature of God's righteousness and salvation, which are presented as enduring beyond all earthly decay.
* **[[Hosea 5:12]]**: "Therefore I am like a moth (çâç) to Ephraim, and like rottenness (`{{H7538}}`) to the house of Judah." This is arguably the most profound usage. Here, Yahweh Himself declares His intention to act as a "moth" towards Ephraim (the northern kingdom of Israel) and "rottenness" (`{{H7538}}`, *raqab*) to Judah. This metaphor signifies a form of divine judgment that is not sudden or cataclysmic, but rather a gradual, internal erosion. Like a moth silently consuming a garment from within, God's judgment would lead to a slow weakening, a deterioration of moral fiber, political stability, and national strength, causing the kingdoms to unravel from within rather than through an overt, immediate destruction.
### Related Words & Concepts
The word çâç (H5580) is often found in association with or conceptually linked to other terms that reinforce its meaning of decay and impermanence:
* **`{{H7415}}` (rimmah)**: "worm" or "maggot." As seen in [[Isaiah 51:8]], it is directly paralleled with çâç, both signifying agents of decay and the ultimate fate of perishable matter.
* **`{{H6211}}` (ʿāsh)**: Another Hebrew word for "moth." While çâç appears less frequently, ʿāsh is also used to describe the destructive power of moths, often in contexts of decay and the transience of human endeavors (e.g., [[Job 27:18]], [[Psalm 39:11]], [[Isaiah 50:9]]). Both terms contribute to the biblical understanding of this destructive insect.
* **`{{H7538}}` (raqab)**: "rottenness" or "decay." This word is directly paralleled with çâç in [[Hosea 5:12]], emphasizing the internal and gradual nature of the destructive process.
* **Perishability and Transience**: The concept of human life, wealth, and power being fleeting and subject to decay is a pervasive theme in biblical wisdom literature and prophetic warnings. The moth serves as a potent symbol for this universal truth.
* **Divine Judgment**: Especially in Hosea, the moth becomes an instrument of God's disciplinary action, highlighting a subtle yet persistent form of judgment that works from within.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H5580 (çâç) is multifaceted and profound:
* **Symbol of Human Frailty and Impermanence**: The moth serves as a stark reminder of the transient nature of human existence, material possessions, and earthly achievements. Just as a moth silently consumes a garment, so too are human endeavors subject to decay and eventual dissolution. This underscores the futility of placing ultimate trust in perishable things.
* **Contrast with Divine Eternity**: In [[Isaiah 51:8]], the destructive power of the moth is juxtaposed with the eternal righteousness and salvation of God. This highlights a fundamental theological truth: while all created things are subject to decay, God's character, promises, and redemptive work are everlasting and unchanging.
* **Metaphor for Subtle Divine Judgment**: Perhaps its most striking theological contribution is in [[Hosea 5:12]]. God's declaration, "I am like a moth to Ephraim," reveals a unique aspect of divine judgment. Unlike overt catastrophic judgments (e.g., flood, plague, war), the "moth-like" judgment is insidious and internal. It suggests a process of gradual weakening, moral decay, and internal strife that causes a nation or individual to collapse from within, often unnoticed until the damage is severe. This form of judgment speaks to God's sovereignty over the internal processes of nations and hearts, allowing consequences to unfold naturally from unfaithfulness.
* **Call to Humility and Trust**: The imagery of being "moth-eaten" can evoke a sense of humility, prompting reliance not on perishable earthly securities but on the enduring faithfulness and provision of God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H5580 (çâç), meaning "moth," is a powerful biblical metaphor primarily signifying **decay, transience, and impermanence**. In [[Job 13:28]] and [[Isaiah 51:8]], it vividly illustrates the **fragility of human existence and material possessions**, contrasting them with the eternal nature of God's righteousness and salvation. Most significantly, in [[Hosea 5:12]], çâç takes on a unique theological role, representing a form of **divine judgment** that is subtle, insidious, and internal, leading to a gradual erosion and weakening from within rather than an immediate, overt destruction. Across its limited but impactful occurrences, the "moth" serves as a poignant reminder of the perishable nature of the created order and the enduring sovereignty of God.
TRV