Against hoarding. θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, treasures upon earth, and therefore earthly, material, perishable, of whatever kind. σὴς, moth, destructive of costly garments, one prominent sort of treasure in the East. βρῶσις, not merely “rust,” but a generic term embracing the whole class of agents which eat or consume valuables (so Beza, Fritzsche, Bleek, Meyer, etc.). Erosionem seu corrosionem quamlibet denotat, quum vel vestes a tineis vel vetustate et putredine eroduntur, vel lignum a cossibus et carie, frumentum a curculionibus, quales τρῶγας Graeci vocant, vel metalli ab aerugine, ferrugine, eroduntur et corroduntur (Kypke, Obs. Sac.). διορύσσουσιν, dig through (clay walls), easier to get in so than through carefully barred doors (again in Matthew 24:43). The thief would not find much in such a house.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising

Old Testament