Exodus 8:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Kynomyia is not spelled with a 'u' as it appears in the Latin translation meaning 'dog-fly,' but to align with the Hebrew interpretation, it should instead be represented with the diphthong 'oi.' This would render it as koinomyia, which translates to 'the entire swarm of flies,' since Aquila interpreted it as panmikton, meaning 'flies of every type.'

This marks the fourth instance in which Egypt has been afflicted by swarms of flies. This insect symbolizes the irritating and restless nature of earthly concerns, reflecting the burdensome cravings of worldly desires. Thus, Egypt suffers from flies because the souls of those enamored with this present age are tormented by their ceaseless longings. The translators of the Septuagint chose to describe these flies as cynomiam, signifying the dog-fly, which represents the canine-like behavior inherent in the passions of the human heart and the base pursuits of the flesh. The term dog-fly also signifies the harsh rhetoric employed by individuals, which causes them to lash out at one another much like dogs.

The elemental gods of Egypt serve as the origins of calamities during the plagues. Frogs emerge from Hapi, associated with the Nile; the earth, honored by the name Seb, or the rich soil known as Hemi, gives rise to mosquitoes or lice; and the air, revered as Shu, the offspring of Ra, the sun, generates dog-flies. This harmful insect, referred to in Hebrew as Arob, becomes a true plague when it appears in large swarms. Some, including Erdmann, suggest that the term Arob, meaning "mixed," might also refer to a beetle or black cockroach, indicating that Egypt's specific form of idolatry is turned into means of judgment. Cook supports this view by noting that Ra, in his role as Creator, is often symbolized in the form of a beetle or cockroach.