Bible Dictionaries
Gnat

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

GNAT ( Matthew 23:24 ). Various members of the CulicidÅ“ , mosquitoes and true gnats, are found in Palestine; of the former, four species are known which are fever-bearing. These and such small insects are very apt to fall into food or liquid, and require to be ‘strained out ’ (RV [Note: Revised Version.] ), especially in connexion with Leviticus 11:22; Leviticus 11:24 . An Arab proverb well illustrates the ideas of Matthew 23:24 : ‘He eats an elephant and is suffocated by a gnat.’ In the RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] of Isaiah 51:6 ‘like gnats’ is suggested for ‘in like manner.’

E. W. G. Masterman.

Bibliography Information
Hastings, James. Entry for 'Gnat'. Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hdb/​g/gnat.html. 1909.