5556. solam
Lexical Summary
solam: Ladder, Stairway

Original Word: סָלְעָם
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: col`am
Pronunciation: soo-lahm'
Phonetic Spelling: (sol-awm')
KJV: bald locust
NASB: devastating locust
Word Origin: [apparently from the same as H5553 (סֶלַע - rock) in the sense of crushing as with a rock, i.e. consuming]

1. a kind of locust (from its destructiveness)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Consuming locust

Apparently from the same as cela' in the sense of crushing as with a rock, i.e. Consuming; a kind of locust (from its destructiveness) -- bald locust.

see HEBREW cela'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
probably from the same as sela
Definition
a locust
NASB Translation
devastating locust (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
סָלְעָם noun masculine an edible, winged, locust (Late Hebrew id.; swallower, consumer, compare ᵑ7 סַלְעֵם swallow up, destroy; Arabic verb swallow, Köii. 1, 404); — Leviticus 11:22 (+ אַרְבֶּה, חַרְגֹּל, חַגָב).

Topical Lexicon
Placement within the Dietary Law

סָלְעָם appears once, inside the core holiness code that differentiates clean from unclean creatures (Leviticus 11:20-23). Israel was forbidden most winged insects, yet granted four hopping varieties: “Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket, or grasshopper” (Leviticus 11:22). סָלְעָם is the second in that list, demonstrating that the Law balanced restriction with gracious provision.

Natural Description and Identification

Most scholars locate סָלְעָם among the Tettigoniidae (katydids) or a closely related bald-headed locust. These insects thrive in the Levant after spring rains, cluster on low vegetation, and can be gathered at dawn while motionless. Sun-drying or roasting over coals preserves them; crushed with salt they become a coarse meal rich in protein, calcium, and iron.

Historical Use as Food

Archaeological strata from Egypt to Jordan contain charred locust wings, confirming widespread consumption. Rabbinic tradition (Mishnah, Hullin 3) records methods for identifying kosher locusts by jointed hind legs—echoing Leviticus 11:21. In famine years (e.g., Ruth 1:1), an edible swarm of סָלְעָם could mean the difference between hunger and survival. Nomads packed the dried insects in skins; settled villagers stored them in clay jars alongside grain.

Theological Significance

1. Holiness Worked Out in Daily Choices – Eating only the specified insects trained Israel to exercise constant discernment (Leviticus 11:45; Ezekiel 44:23).
2. Provision in the Wilderness – Clean insects symbolized God’s readiness to sustain His people even amid scarcity, just as manna later did (Exodus 16:4-18).
3. Patterns Fulfilled in Christ – John the Baptist’s diet of “locusts and wild honey” (Mark 1:6) kept faithful to Leviticus while prefiguring the greater Elijah who would herald the Messiah (Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 11:14).

Connections to Prophetic Imagery

Joel 1:4 names successive swarms that ravage Judah, portraying judgment yet also anticipating restoration: “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25). Though Joel uses different Hebrew terms, the larger insect motif—including סָלְעָם—teaches that the Lord both disciplines and redeems.

Practical Ministry Lessons

• Contentment – Whether missionaries in remote regions or believers facing economic strain, the example of permitted insects reminds Christians that God’s provision may arrive in unexpected forms (Philippians 4:11-13).
• Hospitality – Early Christians shared simple meals without disputing food scruples (Romans 14:1-3). Understanding clean insects helps modern servants navigate cultural food practices without offense (1 Corinthians 10:27-33).
• Discipleship – Parents and teachers can illustrate holiness by tracing how God’s care extends even to the most humble creatures, fostering gratitude and obedience in the next generation (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).

Related References

Leviticus 11:20-23; Deuteronomy 14:19-20; Judges 6:5; Joel 1:4; Joel 2:25; Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6; Mark 7:19; Acts 10:12-16; Revelation 9:3-5.

Forms and Transliterations
הַסָּלְעָ֖ם הסלעם has·sā·lə·‘ām hassalAm hassālə‘ām
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Leviticus 11:22
HEB: לְמִינ֔וֹ וְאֶת־ הַסָּלְעָ֖ם לְמִינֵ֑הוּ וְאֶת־
NAS: in its kinds, and the devastating locust in its kinds,
KJV: after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind,
INT: the locust kinds and the devastating kinds and the cricket

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 5556
1 Occurrence


has·sā·lə·‘ām — 1 Occ.

5555
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