Moth (4597) (ses) is from the larger division of order Lepidoptera (Moths, skippers, and butterflies all belong to this order for all have scale-covered wings) distinguished from butterflies by generally nocturnal activity and antennae which are not club-shaped. The moth larva in many cases spins a cocoon for the protection of the pupa or chrysalis, which is never the case with butterflies. In the Bible the clothes-moth (species of genus Tinea) are relatively tiny insects which lay eggs in woolen clothes upon which the larvae later feed. Have you not experienced this distressing truth on Sunday morning when you pulled your suit pants on only to see several large irregular holes exposing your skin?! The moth larva feeds and composes a cocoon of its silk together with fibers of the wool it is eating, so that the color of the cocoon depends upon the color of the fabric! Only the larval stage injures clothing. Take my word for it - a significantly moth eaten garment is virtually beyond repair or at best must be re-knit which is not cheap! Several moth species in the family Tineidae are commonly regarded as pests because their larvae eat fabric such as clothes and blankets made from natural proteinaceous fibers such as wool or silk. They are less likely to eat mixed materials containing artificial fibers. There are some reports that they can be repelled by the scent of wood from juniper and cedar, by lavender or by other natural oils. However, many consider this unlikely to prevent infestation. Naphthalene (the chemical used in mothballs) is considered more effective, but there are concerns over its effects on health. Moth larvae are not killed by freezing the items which they infest. (from article on economic significance of moths - scroll down) Ses - 3x in 3v in the NT - Mt 6:19, 20; Luke 12:33 The NET note says that ses... refers to moths in general. It is specifically the larvae of moths that destroy clothing by eating holes in it (L&N 4.49; BDAG 922 s.v.). See Jas 5:2 (see below), which mentions "moth-eaten" clothing. James minced no words in his address to the worldly rich instructing them to... Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten (setobrotos from ses = moth + bibrosko = to eat). Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! (James 5:1-3) Moth occurs 7 times in the Septuagint (LXX) always as a figure of speech to illustrate that which is destructive (Job 13:28; Psalms 39:11; Isaiah 50:9; 51:8; Hosea 5:12) or frail (Job 4:19; 27:18). Why would Jesus mention "moth"? The ancient world greatly valued clothing and it was to some extent a measure of an individual's wealth. Today, most people can buy mass manufactured clothing with little difficulty, but as one can imagine such was not the case when clothing was made by hand. In fact sometime the rich would have golden threads actually woven into their clothing, to display as well as store their wealth! The best quality fabrics were woven with wool, one of the favorite entrees of moth larvae, making their fine clothes vulnerable to destruction. Job used the metaphor of "moth eaten" declaring... I waste away like rotting wood, like a moth-eaten coat. (Job 13:28, NLT) Isaiah writes... See, the Sovereign LORD is on my side! Who will declare me guilty? All my enemies will be destroyed like old clothes that have been eaten by moths! (Isaiah 50:9, NLT) For the moth will eat them (sinful, unrepentant men) like a garment, and the grub will eat them like wool. But My righteousness shall be forever, And My salvation to all generations." (Isaiah 51:8) God uses the destructive nature of the moth to describe His effect on rebellious Israel and Judah declaring... I will destroy Israel as a moth consumes wool. I will sap Judah's strength as dry rot weakens wood. (Hosea 5:12, NLT) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/matthew_619-21.htm#m