Topical Bible: Locust: Symbolical

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In the Bible, locusts are often used symbolically to represent destruction, judgment, and divine retribution. These insects, known for their ability to devastate crops and cause famine, serve as powerful symbols of God's judgment against nations and peoples who have turned away from His commandments.

Judgment and Destruction

The most prominent symbolic use of locusts is found in the book of Joel, where a locust plague is described as a harbinger of the "Day of the LORD." Joel 1:4 states, "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." This passage illustrates the totality of destruction that locusts can bring, symbolizing the comprehensive nature of divine judgment.

Joel uses the imagery of locusts to call the people to repentance, urging them to return to God with fasting and weeping. The locusts in this context are not merely a natural disaster but a divine instrument used to awaken the people to their spiritual condition and the need for repentance.

Divine Retribution

In the book of Exodus, locusts are one of the ten plagues that God sends upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. Exodus 10:14-15 describes the plague: "The locusts swarmed across the land and settled over the entire territory of Egypt. Never before had there been so many locusts, and never again will there be. They covered the face of all the land until it was black, and they consumed every plant in the ground and every fruit on the trees that the hail had left." Here, locusts symbolize God's retribution against a nation that has oppressed His people, demonstrating His power and sovereignty.

Apocalyptic Imagery

In the New Testament, locusts appear in the apocalyptic visions of Revelation. Revelation 9:3 describes a scene where locusts emerge from the smoke of the abyss: "And out of the smoke, locusts descended on the earth, and they were given power like that of the scorpions of the earth." These locusts are not ordinary insects but are depicted as agents of divine wrath, inflicting torment on those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. This imagery underscores the theme of divine judgment and the ultimate triumph of God's justice.

Symbol of Repentance and Restoration

While locusts primarily symbolize judgment, they also serve as a catalyst for repentance and restoration. In Joel 2:25 , God promises, "I will repay you for the years eaten by locusts—the swarming locust, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust—My great army that I sent against you." This promise of restoration highlights God's mercy and willingness to forgive and restore those who turn back to Him.

In summary, locusts in the Bible are rich in symbolic meaning, representing both the severity of God's judgment and the hope of redemption for those who repent. Through these symbols, the Scriptures convey profound truths about the nature of sin, the consequences of disobedience, and the boundless grace of God.

Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 9:3-10
And there came out of the smoke locusts on the earth: and to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
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Library

Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... Wonderful A locust scorpion ... the very men, and from hence it is apparent that they
were not of the genus of insects, that is, not natural, but symbolical locusts ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the three woe trumpets.htm

The Council of Nic??a.
... reminded of the previous discussions, of the futility of the Scriptural tests, of
the locust and the ... 9), on grounds perhaps symbolical rather than historical. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 3 -1 the council.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... fourth casting of the skin; [Hebrew: Hsil], the perfect locust, proceeding from ... priori,
be the less indisposed to admit a detailed symbolical representation in ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

On the Symbols of the Essence' and Coessential. '
... terms, in which the caterpillar' (Joel 2:25) and the locust' are preferred to ... defence
of Coessential' and before this the Saviour's saying, symbolical of unity ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part iii on the symbols.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... Out of the pit came the locusts. Arbah in Hebrew means a locust. ... Some are half
symbolical and half literal. Others are wholly ridiculous. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm