In the Bible, the term "caterpillar" is used to describe a destructive insect, often associated with divine judgment and agricultural devastation. The Hebrew word "chasil" is typically translated as "caterpillar" in some English versions of the Bible, though it can also refer to a locust or a similar devouring insect. The caterpillar is mentioned in the context of plagues and as a symbol of God's power to both bless and curse the land.

Biblical References:

1. Joel 1:4 : "What the devouring locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust has left, the young locust has eaten; and what the young locust has left, the destroying locust has eaten." While the Berean Standard Bible does not specifically use the term "caterpillar" in this verse, the passage describes a sequence of locust invasions, which some translations and interpretations include caterpillars as part of the destructive force.

2. 1 Kings 8:37 : "When famine or plague comes upon the land, or blight or mildew or locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in their cities, whatever plague or sickness there is..." This verse lists various calamities that could befall the land, including locusts, which are often associated with caterpillars in their destructive capacity.

3. Psalm 78:46 : "He gave their crops to the grasshopper, the fruit of their labor to the locust." This verse recounts the plagues sent upon Egypt, where locusts and similar insects, potentially including caterpillars, were used by God to demonstrate His power and judgment.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In the biblical context, caterpillars, like locusts, are often seen as instruments of divine retribution. They symbolize the consequences of disobedience to God's commandments and serve as a reminder of the fragility of human endeavors without divine favor. The devastation caused by these insects is a call to repentance and a return to faithfulness.

The presence of caterpillars and similar pests in the Bible underscores the dependence of humanity on God's provision and protection. In an agrarian society, the loss of crops to such pests would have been catastrophic, highlighting the need for divine intervention and blessing for survival and prosperity.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the mention of caterpillars in the Bible serves to illustrate the broader theme of God's sovereignty over creation. It reflects the belief that God controls the natural world and can use it to fulfill His purposes, whether to bless or to discipline His people. The destructive power of caterpillars and locusts is a tangible expression of the consequences of sin and the need for repentance.

In summary, while the term "caterpillar" may not appear frequently in the Bible, its association with locusts and other destructive forces serves as a powerful symbol of divine judgment and the importance of obedience to God's will.Caterpiller (4 Occurrences)

Psalms 78:46
He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.
(KJV)

Isaiah 33:4
And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them.
(KJV)

Joel 1:4
That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.
(KJV JPS)

Joel 2:25
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
(KJV JPS)

Caterpiller (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Caterpiller (4 Occurrences). Psalms 78:46 He gave also
their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust. (KJV). ...
/c/caterpiller.htm - 7k

Palmerworm (2 Occurrences)
... left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm
eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten. ...
/p/palmerworm.htm - 8k

Cankerworm (7 Occurrences)
... left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm
eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten. ...
/c/cankerworm.htm - 10k

Worm (22 Occurrences)
... left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm
eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten. ...
/w/worm.htm - 21k

Caterpillers (3 Occurrences)

/c/caterpillers.htm - 7k

Caterpillars (4 Occurrences)

/c/caterpillars.htm - 7k

Fro (54 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 33:4 And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpiller:
as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them. (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/f/fro.htm - 23k

Gathering (71 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 33:4 And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpiller:
as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them. ...
/g/gathering.htm - 28k

Labour (119 Occurrences)
... DBY YLT). Psalms 78:46 He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller,
and their labour unto the locust. (KJV JPS DBY YLT). Psalms ...
/l/labour.htm - 35k

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