Exo 8:21 I will send upon you .. all kinds of m
Psalm 78:45; 105:31
Insect of the Diptera genus. There are many kinds and several of them were abundant in the Middle East. The most popular is the domestic Musca, but it is possible that some biblical references speak instead of the horsefly (Tabanus arenivagus), which is larger and more often perches on human or animal excrement, for which it is considered very repulsive. They are the ones that “make the perfumer’s perfume stink and stink” in the sense that their presence in a perfume made no one want to put it on (Eccl 10:1). The Bible uses the term zebub in a generic way that includes m., mosquitoes and other similar insects. The plague in Egypt was of “every kind of m” (Exo 8:21-31). †¢Baal-zebub. †¢Bible animals.
Source: Christian Bible Dictionary
type, FAUN INSE
vet, (a) Insect of the order Diptera; especially the housefly (“Musca domestica”). Flies of various kinds are so annoying in hot countries (Isa. 7:18; Ec. 10:1), that the inhabitants of Ekron worshiped Baal-zebub, god of flies, whom they believed capable of giving orders to their hosts. this detestable nuisance (2 Kings 1:2). (b) Heb. “’Arob”, a voracious insect that gives painful stings, spread throughout Egypt; the VM translates “gadfly” (Ex. 8:20; Ps. 105:31), which devoured (Ps. 78:45) and devastated the country (Ex. 8:21). The LXX also translates gadfly (“kunomuian”).
Source: New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
(Heb. zevuv).
Diptera insect of the genus Musca that usually lays its eggs in matter that is in a state of decomposition or in waste. The fly carries bacteria, both in the tiny hairs that cover its body and legs and in the fuzzy suckers on the end of each. The number of such bacteria can be several million in the case of a single housefly.
“Dead flies are what make the oil in the ointment stink, it bubble,” wrote the congregator. The putrefaction of the dead flies would cause the oil to give off a foul smell and ferment, spoiling it completely. Similarly, a little foolishness would damage the reputation of someone known for his wisdom and glory. (Eccl 10:1.)
Isaiah says that Jehovah would hiss at the flies that were at the extremity of the Nile canals of Egypt and the bees of the land of Assyria to settle on the steep torrential valleys, the clefts of the crags, the thickets of thorns and all. the watering holes of Judah. This passage is to be understood figuratively; the flies represent the armies of Egypt and the bees, those of Assyria. (Isaiah 7:18, 19)
The name of the god worshiped by the Philistines at Eqron, “Baal-zebub”, means “Owner of the Flies”. This fact has given rise to the opinion that his worshipers believed him capable of controlling these insects. However, since Baal-zebub was known by his oracles, others believe that the name alludes to the fact that this god gave his oracles through the flight or buzzing of a fly. (2Ki 1:2, 6; see BAAL-ZEBUB; Ti BANO.)
Source: Dictionary of the Bible