Grasshopper

VIEW:34 DATA:01-04-2020

GRASSHOPPER.?See Locust.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909

(See LOCUST.)
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
By Andrew Robert Fausset, co-Author of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's 1888.

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.
Biblical and Theological Dictionary by Richard Watson
PRINTER 1849.

gras?hop-ẽr. See LOCUST.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.

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].
The Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
by John Kitto.

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.
Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types
press 1957.

Grasshopper
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.

CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.

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