FLEA

פרעש , 1 Sam. xxiv, 14; xxvi, 20. The LXX, and another Greek version in the Hexapla , render it ψύλλον, and the Vulgate pulex . It seems, says Mr. Park hurst, an evident derivative from פרע free , and רעש to leap , bound , or skip , on account of its agility in leaping or skipping. The flea is a little wingle insect, equally contemptible and troublesome. It is thus described by an Arabian author: “A black, nimble, extenuated, hunch-backed animal, which being sensible when any one looks on it, jumps ince antly, now on one side, now on the other, till it gets out of sight.” David likens himself to this insect; importing that while it would cost Saul much pains to catch him, he would obtain but very little advantage from it.