Moth
MOTH (עָשׁ, H6932, all Eng. VSS; σής, G4962). With one exception (see below) all contexts show this to be the clothes moth, e.g. “like a garment that is moth-eaten” (Job 13:28). Small moths of the family Tineidae are now largely confined to human surroundings and have been serious destroyers of clothes, fur and feather since early times. Soon after emerging from the pupae the female moths lay eggs among clothes and damage has already started before they are seen flying. The larvae are up to half an inch long, and they make a silk-lined case, covered with debris, out of which only the head protrudes. They feed on a range of fibers, but clothes seldom are damaged if they are thoroughly clean and dry.
There is disagreement about the tr. of this word in Job 27:18 “buildeth his house as a moth” (KJV, RSVmg.). (See Spider for discussion.)
Many species of butterflies and moths are found in Pal., including such conspicuous forms as the swallowtail butterfly and the large hawk-moths, but none seems to have mention in the Scriptures.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
(`ash; compare Arabic `uththat, "moth"; colloquial, `itt; cac, "worm" (Isa 51:8); compare Arabic sus, "worm," especially an insect larva in flesh, wood or grain; ses, "moth" (Mt 6:19,20; Lu 12:33); setobrotos, "moth-eaten" (Jas 5:2)):
See Insects.