σητόβρωτος (sētobrōtos)
sētobrōtos
moth-eaten
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective sētobrōtos describes something that has been eaten away by moths, literally meaning "moth-eaten." It appears only once in the New Testament, in James 5:2, where it modifies the garments of the rich who have hoarded wealth. The word paints a vivid picture of decay, suggesting that fine clothing has become tattered and worthless through neglect or insect damage.
Its construction combines sēs, meaning "moth," with a root related to eating or consuming. This etymology highlights the fragility of material possessions. Unlike durable metals or stones, fabric is vulnerable to small, persistent pests that slowly destroy its value from the inside out. The term underscores the temporary nature of earthly treasures.
James uses this specific image to warn against trusting in wealth that cannot protect itself. The moth-eaten clothes serve as a concrete symbol for how quickly material security can vanish. This single usage connects physical decay with spiritual emptiness, reminding readers that what is stored up for oneself may ultimately be lost.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word sētobrōtos paints a quiet but unsettling picture of decay. It describes fabric that has been slowly eaten away by moths, leaving behind something once fine and valuable, now tattered and useless. James uses this image in his warning to those who hoard wealth without sharing it. The clothes did not vanish overnight; they were consumed piece by piece, just as trust in money can erode our spiritual focus over time.
This word reminds us that earthly treasures are fragile. They cannot protect us from loss, nor can they provide lasting security. When we place our hope in things that can be eaten away, we leave ourselves vulnerable to disappointment. Instead, James points us toward a different kind of treasure—one that remains intact despite time and neglect.
It is easy to forget how temporary material comfort really is. We build our lives around possessions, only to find they offer no real peace. The image of moth-eaten garments invites us to examine where we store our hearts. Are we investing in what lasts, or in what will eventually fade? This word calls us to a simpler, more enduring trust.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- moth-eaten1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σητόβρωτα1×
Key Verses
-
James 5:2
Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten.
The word modifies 'garments' to show how hoarded wealth becomes worthless through neglect and decay, serving as a concrete symbol of spiritual emptiness.