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Sand Flies

Nature

What is the meaning of Sand Flies in the Bible?

Sand flies are biting insects frequently identified in biblical texts, where they are often translated as 'lice' or 'gnats' to describe the plagues of Egypt and other afflictions.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing sand flies as the biological basis for terms like 'lice' or 'gnats' clarifies the specific nature of the afflictions described in biblical narratives.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Sand Flies were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Sand Flies in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Sand Flies clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Sand Flies." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/sand-flies/
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