Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the imagery of armies being compared to grasshoppers is a vivid metaphor that underscores the vastness, multitude, and sometimes the insignificance of human forces in the sight of God. This comparison is found in several passages, where the sheer number and overwhelming presence of armies are likened to swarms of grasshoppers, which are numerous and can cover large areas.
One of the key references to this metaphor is found in the book of Judges. In
Judges 6:5 , the Midianites and their allies are described as coming "like swarms of locusts," and "their camels were without number, as numerous as the sand on the seashore." This description highlights the overwhelming force and the seemingly unstoppable nature of the Midianite army, which oppressed Israel during the time of Gideon. The comparison to locusts, or grasshoppers, emphasizes the vast numbers and the destructive potential of these invading forces.
Similarly, in the book of Jeremiah, the Babylonian army is depicted using this metaphor.
Jeremiah 46:23 states, "They will chop down her forest, declares the LORD, dense though it may be, for they are more numerous than locusts; they cannot be counted." Here, the Babylonian forces are portrayed as an innumerable swarm, capable of overwhelming and consuming everything in their path, much like a plague of locusts.
The prophet Nahum also uses this imagery in
Nahum 3:15-17 , where the Assyrian army is compared to locusts: "There the fire will consume you; the sword will cut you down, and it will devour you like a swarm of locusts. Multiply yourselves like grasshoppers; multiply like swarming locusts! You have increased your merchants more than the stars of the sky. The young locust strips the land and flies away. Your guards are like locusts, your officials like swarms of locusts that settle in the walls on a cold day: when the sun appears, they fly away, and no one knows where." This passage not only highlights the multitude of the Assyrian forces but also their fleeting nature and ultimate vulnerability before God's judgment.
The metaphor of armies as grasshoppers serves to remind the reader of the transient and often fragile nature of human power. While armies may appear formidable and numerous, they are ultimately subject to the sovereignty and will of God. This imagery reinforces the biblical theme that no matter how great the human force, it is God who holds ultimate authority and power over the nations.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Judges 6:3-5And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;
Torrey's Topical TextbookJudges 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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Prophet Joel.
... captains are as a host of grasshoppers, which camp ... From this passage, especially
when compared with Psalm ... The comparison of hostile armies with locusts is very ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm
Faith and Courage.
... valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the ... mighty giants seemed to be as
grasshoppers in their ... Think of the opportunities we have, compared with the ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter iii faith and courage.htm
The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals.
... air which extends over our heads, compared to the ... may see flocks of vultures following
armies and calculating ... theory of the affection of grasshoppers and the ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily viii the creation of.htm
The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... There are those that indeed are righteous when compared with others: 'I came not
to call the righteous'; 'for scarcely for a righteous man will one die,' and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm
Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... waste Judea, from whence he who hath compared the description ... the direction of the
Oracle, are Equestrian armies, sent forth ... [29] In our version grasshoppers. ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the three woe trumpets.htm
The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... Many of these country magnates held extensive fiefs, and had in their pay small
armies, which rendered them almost independent, and the only way for the ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm
The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... The name Kushtashpi has been compared with that ... Cyaxares converted all the small
feudal armies which had ... thy marshals as the swarms of grasshoppers, which camp ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm
The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Meyer has accurately compared the Egyptian Naharaim with the ... under one head, of armies
hitherto owning ... whom other nations appeared as grasshoppers;*** as the ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm
Resources
Who was Joab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgDoes Bible prophecy predict that there will be a World War 3 (III, three) before the end times? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Babylonian captivity/exile? | GotQuestions.orgArmies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus