The Locust: Clean and Fit for Food
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The locust, a type of grasshopper, is a significant insect mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the context of dietary laws and divine judgments. In the Scriptures, locusts are depicted both as a plague and as a permissible food source, reflecting their dual role in the ancient Near Eastern environment.

Biblical References and Description

Locusts are frequently mentioned in the Bible, often in the context of plagues and divine retribution. One of the most notable instances is the eighth plague of Egypt, where locusts were sent by God as a judgment upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians for their refusal to release the Israelites from bondage. Exodus 10:12-15 describes this event: "And the LORD said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt, so that locusts may swarm over the land and devour every plant in the land—everything that the hail has left.' So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt, and the LORD sent an east wind across the land all that day and all that night. By morning the wind had brought the locusts. They invaded all the land of Egypt and settled in every area of the country in great numbers. Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again."

Dietary Laws and Cleanliness

In the dietary laws given to the Israelites, locusts are classified as clean and fit for consumption. Leviticus 11:22 states, "Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket, or grasshopper." This passage indicates that locusts, along with certain other insects, were considered permissible for the Israelites to eat, distinguishing them from other creatures deemed unclean.

The allowance for eating locusts is further supported by the example of John the Baptist, who is described as subsisting on a diet that included locusts. Matthew 3:4 notes, "John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey." This reference underscores the acceptance of locusts as a legitimate food source in the Jewish tradition.

Symbolism and Prophetic Imagery

Beyond their literal presence, locusts are also used symbolically in the Bible to represent destruction and divine judgment. The prophet Joel vividly describes a locust invasion as a metaphor for an impending judgment upon Israel, urging the people to repentance. 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."

In the book of Revelation, locusts appear as part of the apocalyptic visions, symbolizing a form of divine punishment. Revelation 9:3 describes, "And out of the smoke, locusts descended on the earth, and they were given power like that of the scorpions of the earth."

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, locusts were a common and feared phenomenon due to their potential to devastate crops and cause famine. However, they were also a readily available source of protein, especially in arid regions where other food sources might be scarce. The inclusion of locusts in the dietary laws reflects a practical approach to survival in the harsh conditions of the wilderness and the Promised Land.

The locust's role in the Bible, both as a clean food and as an instrument of judgment, highlights the multifaceted ways in which God used natural elements to communicate with His people and to sustain them physically and spiritually.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Leviticus 11:21,22
Yet these may you eat of every flying creeping thing that goes on all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap with on the earth;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Naparima and Montserrat
... but the wind of its fall did, and blew the hut clean away. ... It was a spot fit for
a Greek nymph; at least for an ... A certain Locust-tree and a Ceiba were mentioned ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter x naparima and montserrat.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... or a native of Pontus to eat a locust, and he ... still weak in faith and thought some
meats clean, some unclean ... chamber at the sixth hour, a chance fit of hunger ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

La Brea
... but nothing is left on the hand save clean gray mud ... For the want of human beings
fit for all that beauty ... Galba"so named, one from some great Locust-tree, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter viii la brea.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... The copy in Dr. Williams' Library, Redcross Street, is remarkably fine and clean,
a present ... us that on either side of this river grew ALL trees for food (v 12 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Resources
Summary of the Book of Joel - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to rebuke the devourer in Malachi 3:11? | GotQuestions.org

Is it wrong to kill spiders or step on bugs? | GotQuestions.org

Locust: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Locust

Locust used As Food

Locust: Authorized As Food

Locust: Devastation By

Locust: Figurative

Locust: Instincts of

Locust: Plague of

Locust: Sun Obscured By

Locust: Symbolical

Locust: Translated "Grasshopper"

The Locust of Destructive Enemies

The Locust of False Teachers of the Apostasy

The Locust of Ungodly Rulers

The Locust: (Destruction of) of Destruction of God's Enemies

The Locust: A Small Insect

The Locust: Carried Every Way by the Wind

The Locust: Clean and Fit for Food

The Locust: Flies in Bands and With Order

The Locust: Immensely Numerous

The Locust: Like to Horses Prepared for Battle

The Locust: One of the Plagues of Egypt

The Locust: Rapid in Movement

The Locust: The Jews used As Food

The Locust: The Jews: Deprecated the Plague of

The Locust: The Jews: Often Plagued By

The Locust: The Jews: Promised Deliverance from the Plague of, on Humiliation

The Locust: The Jews: Threatened With, As a Punishment for Sin

The Locust: Voracious

The Locust: Wise

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The Locust: Carried Every Way by the Wind
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