Sciniphes

SCINIPHES, or Ciniphes; the third Plague wherewith God punished the Egyptians, was that of the Sciniphes, or Flies, which some have taken for what we call Gnats. Origen says, that the Sciniphe is so Origen. in Exod. Homil. 4.small a Flie, that it is hardly perceptible to the Eye, but when it fixes to the Body, it causes a very quick Pain, and a sharp stinging. Philo reports, that these little Insects Philo de vita Mosis. l. 1. p. 618.penetrate into the very Eyes, the Nose, and the Ears, where they make the Points of their Stings to be felt. The Hebrew Word Kinnim¹, which the Septuagint have rendered by Sciniphes, signifies Lice according to the Syriack, and several good Interpreters. See Bochart. de Animal. sacr. par. 2. l. 4.. 18. p. 572, 573.

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