The term "locust" in the Bible is often translated as "grasshopper," and it refers to a type of migratory insect known for its destructive swarming behavior. Locusts are mentioned numerous times throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing both natural phenomena and divine judgment.

Biblical References and Symbolism

Locusts are prominently featured in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of plagues and divine retribution. One of the most notable instances is the eighth plague of Egypt, where locusts were sent as a judgment against Pharaoh for his refusal to release the Israelites from bondage. In Exodus 10:12-15 , the Lord commands Moses to stretch out his hand over Egypt so that locusts would swarm over the land, consuming every plant and tree left after the hail. This event underscores the power of God over creation and His ability to use nature as an instrument of His will.

In the book of Joel, locusts are depicted as a devastating army, symbolizing an impending judgment upon the land of Judah. Joel 1:4 describes a sequence of locust invasions: "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 vivid imagery serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God.

The New Testament also references locusts, notably in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 9:3-7 , locusts emerge from the smoke of the abyss, given power like that of scorpions. These apocalyptic locusts are not ordinary insects but are symbolic of a spiritual and eschatological judgment, reflecting the severity of the end times.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, locusts were a well-known and feared phenomenon due to their capacity to devastate crops and cause famine. The swarming behavior of locusts, which can cover vast areas and consume all vegetation in their path, made them a potent symbol of destruction and divine wrath.

The dietary laws in Leviticus 11:22 permit the consumption of certain types of locusts, indicating their role as a food source in times of scarcity. "Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket, or grasshopper." This provision highlights the adaptability and resourcefulness of the Israelite people in their desert wanderings and agricultural life.

Theological Implications

The recurring theme of locusts in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the importance of obedience to His commandments. The destructive power of locusts is often used to illustrate the consequences of sin and the need for repentance. At the same time, the restoration and renewal promised after the devastation, as seen in Joel 2:25 , "I will repay you for the years eaten by locusts," offers hope and assurance of God's mercy and faithfulness.

In summary, the biblical portrayal of locusts as both literal and symbolic agents of judgment and renewal reflects the broader themes of divine justice, repentance, and redemption. Through these narratives, believers are called to recognize the authority of God over creation and to respond with faith and obedience.Judges 6:5
For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
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Judges 7:12
And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
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Job 39:20
Can you make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
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Jeremiah 46:23
They shall cut down her forest, said the LORD, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the grasshoppers, and are innumerable.
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2284. chagab -- locust, grasshopper
... 2283, 2284. chagab. 2285 . locust, grasshopper. Transliteration: chagab
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-gawb') Short Definition: grasshopper. ...
/hebrew/2284.htm - 5k

697. arbeh -- (a kind of) locust
... grasshopper, locust. From rabah; a locust (from its rapid increase) -- grasshopper,
locust. see HEBREW rabah. 696, 697. arbeh. 698 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/697.htm - 6k

2625. chasil -- (a kind of) locust
... Word Origin from chasal Definition (a kind of) locust NASB Word Usage caterpillar
(1), grasshopper (3), stripping locust (2). caterpillar. ...
/hebrew/2625.htm - 6k

1462. gob -- locusts
... grasshopper, great. From guwb; the locust (from its grubbing as a larvae) --
grasshopper, X great. see HEBREW guwb. 1461, 1462. gob. 1463 . Strong's Numbers
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Of the Diversity of Languages, and of the Founding of Babylon.
... of "the soldier," meaning the army, and of the frog or the locust, when we ... by some
through the ambiguity of the Greek word, and they have translated it, not ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 4 of the diversity of.htm

A Cultivated Conservative Friend of Mine once Exhibited Great ...
... striding across the echoing plain like an elephant, or the grasshopper coming roaring ...
never before, I think, have Christians called a Turk a locust and meant ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 42 a cultivated conservative.htm

On the Clause, and Shall Come in Glory to Judge the Quick and the ...
... [1912] The step, once as active as a grasshopper, or locust, shall grow
heavy and slow. For other interpretations see Delitzsch. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xv on the clause.htm

Psalm CV.
... letter thus; "Might inform his princes like unto himself, and make his elders wise."
The word translated old men ... "He spake the word, and the locust came, and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cv.htm

Psalm LXXVIII.
... [3611] The locust is malice ... but the grace of God, whereof the Apostle speaketh,
"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxviii.htm

On Proverbs. From the Commentary of St. Hippolytus on Proverbs.
... "The locust has no ... The Hebrew word, rendered "straightway" in our version, is translated
kepphotheis in the Septuagint, ie, "ensnared like a cepphus." [Quasi ...
/.../on proverbs from the commentary.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... gnawer has left, the locust devoureth; and that which the locust hath left ... at-hmvrh
lcdqh], are, by the greater number of interpreters, translated, "The Teacher ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

Letter Liii. To Paulinus.
... the twelve tribes as spoiled and devastated by the palmerworm, the canker-worm,
the locust, and the ... [1473] He sees now the maker of the grasshopper, [1474] now ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter liii to paulinus.htm

On Baptism.
... You may mention Elias the Tishbite who was taken up into heaven, yet he is not greater
than John: Enoch was translated, but he is ... [595] The locust being winged ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture iii on baptism.htm

History of Arian Opinions.
... who created and uses them; for instance, the Prophet says that the locust, which
became ... faith, and write at Sirmium in Latin what is here translated into Greek ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part ii history of arian.htm

Why did God use a locust swarm to punish Israel (Joel 1:4)? | GotQuestions.org

Is Joel 1:4 referring to literal locusts? When was this prophecy fulfilled? | GotQuestions.org

How does God restore the years that the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25)? | GotQuestions.org

Locust: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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