H1501 H1501
the cutting locust—a species of locust in devastating swarms
This collective noun refers to a particular species or stage of locust known for its cutting, devouring action. It always appears in contexts of agricultural devastation. Joel 1:4 lists it among four locust types (arbeh, yelek, ḥasil, gazam) in a plague sequence. Joel 2:25 promises restoration of what 'the cutting locust' consumed. Amos 4:9 describes this locust devouring gardens, vineyards, fig trees, and olive trees. The name likely derives from a root meaning 'to cut' or 'to shear,' emphasizing its destructive eating. Ancient Israel distinguished multiple locust varieties, each with specific behaviors.
Senses
1. sense 1 — A type of locust characterized by cutting or devouring vegetation, appearing three times in prophetic judgment oracles. Joel 1:4 and 2:25 list it among four locust species, while Amos 4:9 uses it alone for the consuming plague. Cross-linguistic glosses vary: English 'cutting locust/the locust,' Spanish 'langosta/oruga' (locust/caterpillar), French 'la chenille' (caterpillar), German uses brackets. The definite article (ha-gazam) appears in all Joel/Amos occurrences, suggesting a recognized species. The conjunction 'and the cutting locust' in Joel 1:4 marks it as one member in a series of plague agents sent by God. 3×
AR["الجَرادُ-القاضِمُ", "الجَرادِ-القاضِمِ", "وَ-الجَرادُ-القاضِمُ"]·ben["এবং-পঙ্গপাল", "পঙ্গপাল", "পঙ্গপালের"]·DE["[הגזם]", "[והגזם]"]·EN["and-the-cutting-locust", "the-cutting-locust", "the-locust"]·FR["et-la-chenille", "la-chenille"]·heb["ה-גָּזָם", "ה-גזם", "ו-ה-גָּזָם"]·HI["और-टिड्डी-ने", "टिड्डी", "टिड्डी-का"]·ID["belalang", "belalang-pemotong", "dan-belalang-pemotong,"]·IT["cavalletta", "e-cavalletta"]·jav["lan-walang-ageng", "walang", "walang-ageng"]·KO["그-애벌레-의", "그리고-그-애벌레-가", "메뚜기가"]·PT["a-lagarta", "e-a-lagarta", "o-gafanhoto"]·RU["гусеницы", "и-гусеница", "саранча"]·ES["la-langosta", "la-oruga", "y-la-oruga"]·SW["na-nzige-wakatao", "nzige", "nzige-wakatao"]·TR["kesici-çekirgenin", "ve-kesici-çekirge", "çekirge"]·urd["-ٹڈی", "اور-ٹڈی-نے", "ٹڈی-کا"]
Related Senses
H6629 1. flock, sheep/goats (small livestock) (274×)H1241 1. cattle, herd (bovine livestock) (183×)H0352a 1. ram (male sheep) (156×)H6499 1. young bull, bullock (130×)H3532 1. lamb, young male sheep (105×)H2543 1. donkey (male ass) (96×)H7794 1. ox, bull (79×)H7462b 1. shepherd (agent noun) (76×)H5795 1. she-goat(s), female goat(s) (68×)H7462b 2. to shepherd, tend, pasture (60×)H1581 1. camel (domestic animal) (54×)H0738b 1. lion (46×)G4263 1. sheep (39×)H5739 1. flock or herd of livestock (38×)H5695 1. calf, young bull (35×)H0738a 1. lion (large predatory feline) (34×)H0860 1. female donkey (34×)H3611 1. dog (animal) (32×)H3715a 1. young lion, lion cub (31×)G0721 1. Lamb (29×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† גָּזָם n.m. Am 4:9 locusts (coll.)—abs. גָּזָם Jo 1:4; 2:25; Am 4:9;—always as devouring, devastating, Jo 1:4 (‖ אַרְבֶּה, יֶלֶק, חָסִיל), 2:25 (‖ id.); Am 4:9 alone: your gardens and your vineyards, and your fig-trees and your olive-trees יֹאכַל הַגָּזָם.