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GNAT (Mat_23:24).—Various members of the Culicidœ, 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 Lev_11:22; Lev_11:24. An Arab proverb well illustrates the ideas of Mat_23:24 : ‘He eats an elephant and is suffocated by a gnat.’ In the RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] of Isa_51:6 ‘like gnats’ is suggested for ‘in like manner.’
E. W. G. Masterman.