Encyclopedia entry
Gnat
Only in Matt. 23:24, a small two-winged stinging fly of the genus Culex, which includes mosquitoes. Our Lord alludes here to the gnat in a proverbial expression probably in common use, “who strain out the gnat;” the words in the Authorized Version, “strain at a gnat,” being a mere typographical error, which has been corrected in the Revised Version. The custom of filtering wine for this purpose was common among the Jews. It was founded on Lev. 11:23. It is supposed that the “lice,” Ex. 8:16 (marg. R.V., “sand-flies”), were a species of gnat.
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
a species of mosquito mentioned only in the proverbial expression used by our Saviour in (Matthew 23:21)
In the Bible
1
Verses where Gnat is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- Matthew 23:24
You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
Scripture on Gnat
3
Voices on Gnat
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.