Grasshopper

חגב , Lev 11:22; Num 13:33; 2Ch 7:13; Ecc 12:5; Isa 40:22; 2Es 4:24; Wis 16:9; Ecclesiastes 43:17. Bochart supposes that this species of the locust has its name from the Arabic verb hajaba, “to veil,” because, when they fly, as they often do, in great swarms, they eclipse even the light of the sun. “But I presume,” says Parkhurst, “this circumstance is not peculiar to any particular kind of locust: I should rather, therefore, think it denotes the cucullated species, so denominated by naturalists from the cucullus, ‘cowl’ or ‘hood,’ with which they are furnished, and which distinguishes them from the other kinds. In Scheuchzer may be seen several of this sort; and it will appear that this species nearly resemble our grasshopper.” Our translators render the Hebrew word locust in the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the temple, 2Ch 7:13, and with propriety. But it is rendered grasshopper, in Ecc 12:5, where Solomon, describing the infelicities of old age, says, “The grasshopper shall be a burden.” “To this insect,” says Dr. Smith, “the preacher compares a dry, shrunk, shrivelled, crumpling, craggy old man; his backbone sticking out, his knees projecting forward, his arms backward, his head downward, and the apophyses or bunching parts of the bones in general enlarged. And from this exact likeness, without all doubt, arose the fable of Tithonus, who, living to extreme old age, was at last turned into a grasshopper.” Dr. Hodgson, referring it to the custom of eating locusts, supposes it to imply that luxurious gratification will become insipid; and Bishop Reynolds, that the lightest pressure of so small a creature shall be uncomfortable to the aged, as not being able to bear any weight. Other commentators suppose the reference to the chirping noise of the grasshopper, which must be disagreeable to the aged and infirm, who naturally love quiet, and are commonly unable to bear much noise. It is probable that here, also, a kind of locust is meant; and these creatures are proverbially loquacious. They make a loud, screaking, and disagreeable noise with their wings. If one begins, others join, and the hateful concert becomes universal. A pause then ensues, and, as it were, on a signal given, it again commences; and in this manner they continue squalling for two or three hours without intermission. The Prophet Isaiah contrasts the grandeur and power of God, and every thing reputed great in this world, by a very expressive reference to this insect: Jehovah sitteth on the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants are to him as grasshoppers, Isa 40:22. What atoms and inanities are they all before him, who sitteth on the circle of the immense heavens, and views the potentates of the earth in the light of grasshoppers, those poor insects that wander over the barren heath for sustenance, spend the day in insignificant chirpings, and take up their contemptible lodging at night on a blade of grass! See LOCUST.

The creature denoted by this Hebrew word so evidently belongs to the class of ’flying creeping things’ (Lev 11:21-22), that the grasshopper, according to the common acceptation of the word, can scarcely be the proper translation. Other reasons render it most probable that a species of locust is intended. It is, therefore, referred to the general English word [LOCUST].

A kind of locust, and so called in 2Ch 7:13 . It was sometimes used for food, Lev 11:22 . Individually they are insignificant and timid creatures, Num 13:33, and their worthlessness furnishes a striking comparison in Isa 40:22 ; while the feebleness of age is expressed by inability to endure them, Ecc 12:5 . Yet coming in great numbers, they are destructive to all herbage, 1Sa 7:1 . See LOCUST.\par

(See LOCUST.)

is the rendering in certain passages of the Auth. Vers. of three Heb. words: אִרְבֶּה, arbeh’ (Jdg 6:5; Jdg 7:12; Job 39:20; Jer 46:26), a locust (as elsewhere rendered), sometimes a particular species, the migratory kind (Lev 11:22; Joe 1:4); גּוֹב, gob (Amo 7:1; Nah 3:17), a locust in general; חָגָב, chagab’ (Lev 11:22; Num 13:33; Ecc 12:5; Isaiah 11:22), a locust (2Ch 7:13), winged and edible (Leviticus 40:22), and therefore evidently not a proper grasshopper. SEE LOCUST.

In Num 13:33; Isa 40:22, this insect is used to express comparative insignificance. In Ecc 12:5 reference is probably made to that degree of weakness and infirmity in old age which makes the weight, or even the chirping of this insect, to be burdensome. For the curious illustration of this passage from the fable of Tithornius, see Kitto’s Daily Bible Illust. ad loc. SEE OLD AGE. The true grass hopper (Gryllus grossus) belongs to a tribe of neuropterous insects styled Gryllidae, and it appears from modern travelers that it is not unknown in Pal estine. Its habits greatly resemble those of its congener, the Oriental locust it has mandibles or jaws peculiarly fitted for devouring green vegetables, and in many parts even of America its ravages often be come quite formidable. SEE INSECT.

Grasshopper. See Locust.

This insect cannot be distinguished from the locust. See LOCUST.

See LOCUST:

GRASSHOPPER.—See Locust.

gras´hop-ẽr. See LOCUST.

Num 13:33 (a) These spies felt weak and insignificant when they compared themselves with the giants and considered the power of these mighty men in Canaan.

Jdg 7:12 (a) The invading hosts of the enemies of Israel are compared to an invading plague of grasshoppers. It is a picture of the quantity of the enemy, rather than the quality or character. (See Jer 46:23).

Ecc 12:5 (b) The aged person cannot endure the slightest burden. To an ordinary person the grasshopper would hardly be noticed if it should alight on that person. It comes suddenly, and is gone quickly. It remains only a little time. So it is in the lives of the aged. A slight difficulty arises quickly, and is soon gone, but it seems to be a tremendous load to the old grandmother or grandfather. The mole hill becomes a mountain in the older days.

Isa 40:22 (a) By this figure the Lord is describing His thoughts about the people of the earth, whether they be prominent or obscure. None of them are very important in GOD’s sight. They are small and insignificant when compared to the greatness and the power of GOD.

Nah 3:17 (a) The great men of Nineveh flourished in times of prosperity and peace. Afterwards GOD saw that they were destroyed and their memory perished.

Grasshopper. Numerous references to grasshoppers and locusts in the Bible show what an impact these insects had in the hot, dry lands of the ancient world. Some of these references are literal (Exo 10:4-19) while others are symbolic (Num 13:33).

The terms grasshopper and locust are often used interchangeably. A locust is one kind of grasshopper. Another term used rarely for these insects is katydid (Lev 11:22), (NIV). It has a brown-colored body two to three inches long. Airborne, with two sets of wings, the locust was dreaded because of its destructive power as a foliage-eating insect in the ancient world.

The eighth plague that God sent upon the Egyptians was an invasion of locusts. Millions of these insects may be included in one of these swarms, which usually occur in the spring. Locusts in such numbers speedily eat every plant in sight, totally destroying the crops. A locust plague is practically unstoppable. Water does not work; for when enough locusts drown, the survivors use their bodies as a bridge. They have also been known to smother fires that had been set to destroy them. Even modern farmers wrestle with this problem, often resorting to poisoning the adults and harrowing fields in the fall to destroy the eggs before they can hatch in the spring.

(Chapter 9 of the Book of Revelation) presents a nightmarish prospect: locusts with special powers will be unleashed upon mankind for five months.

Locusts do not always appear in swarms. Hot weather normally brings a few solitary grasshoppers and locusts to the Holy Land. But scientists have learned that under certain conditions of climate and food scarcity, chemical changes take place in the female locust. These cause more eggs to hatch, sending millions of locusts into the air at the same time in search of food.

Many people, including the Jews, eat locusts (Lev 11:22). These insects may be boiled, fried, or dried. Locusts were part of the wilderness diet of John the Baptist (Mat 3:4).