σής (sēs)
sēs
moth
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun sēs refers specifically to the clothes moth, a small insect known for its ability to consume fabric. In the New Testament, this word appears only three times, creating a tight thematic link between Matthew and Luke’s teachings on material wealth.
Jesus uses the moth as a vivid image of decay in his Sermon on the Mount and the parallel discourse in Luke. He contrasts earthly treasures that are vulnerable to moths and rust with heavenly riches that cannot be destroyed (Matthew 6:19-20; Luke 12:33). The comparison highlights the fragility of physical possessions, urging listeners to prioritize spiritual investments over temporary material gains.
This term likely derives from a Hebrew root referring to insects that destroy garments. By choosing such a common, everyday pest, Jesus grounded his teaching in a reality familiar to all his listeners, emphasizing the certainty of loss for those who focus solely on earthly accumulation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sēs refers to the clothes moth, an insect known for eating fabric. Jesus used this common pest to show how quickly earthly wealth can disappear. Rust and thieves also destroy material goods, but these threats are predictable parts of life on earth.
By mentioning such a small creature, Jesus highlighted the fragility of storing value in temporary things. He invites us to look beyond what we can hold in our hands. Treasures kept in heaven remain safe from decay and loss, offering a lasting hope that does not fade with time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- moth3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σὴς3×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 6:19
“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;
This verse introduces the moth as a primary example of forces that consume earthly wealth.
-
Matthew 6:20
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal;
Here the moth is paired with rust to contrast vulnerable earthly stores with secure heavenly ones.
-
Luke 12:33
Sell what you have and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don’t grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn’t fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
Luke places the moth alongside thieves to emphasize that heavenly treasure is immune to all forms of theft or decay.