H5556 H5556
locust—edible winged insect, possibly bald locust species
This term designates a specific type of clean locust permitted for food under Levitical law. The name likely derives from a root meaning 'swallow' or 'consume,' fitting the locust's voracious reputation. Leviticus 11:22 lists it among four locust varieties that Israelites could eat, alongside the arbeh, hargol, and hagab. The precise species identification remains uncertain, though 'bald locust' suggests distinctive appearance features that ancient observers could recognize.
Senses
1. sense 1 — A kosher locust species mentioned in the Levitical dietary code (Lev 11:22), one of four permitted flying insects. Etymology suggests connection to 'swallowing/consuming,' reflecting the insect's destructive feeding habits. Cross-language evidence shows 'bald locust/langostón' emphasizing a distinguishing physical feature, possibly related to wing sheaths or head shape that differentiated it from other edible locusts. 1×
AR["الْحَرْجُوانَ"]·ben["-সালাম"]·DE["der-bald-locust"]·EN["the-bald-locust"]·FR["le-bald-sauterelle"]·heb["ה-סלעם"]·HI["अपनी जाति के अनुसार"]·ID["belalang-solam"]·IT["il-bald-locust"]·jav["walang-gundhul"]·KO["그-솔레아를"]·PT["o-sol'am"]·RU["сольама"]·ES["el-langostón"]·SW["nzige-mwingine"]·TR["solamı"]·urd["نمکین-ٹڈی"]
Related Senses
H2896a 1. good (quality or moral) (305×)H7563 1. wicked person (259×)H7451c 1. moral evil or wickedness (234×)H5771 1. iniquity, sin, wrongdoing (222×)H6662 1. righteous person (substantive) (195×)G0266 1. sin, failure, transgression (173×)H2403b 1. sin, transgression (170×)H2617a 1. Covenant faithfulness, steadfast love (167×)H2398 1. Qal: to sin, commit sin (165×)H6666 1. righteousness, moral uprightness (145×)G5485 1. grace, divine favor (141×)H7451a 1. morally evil, wicked (129×)H2403b 2. sin-offering, sacrifice for sin (120×)G2570 1. good, right, excellent (98×)H6588 1. transgression, offense against God (88×)G0018 1. good (moral quality) (85×)H2896b 1. good, what is good (85×)H7451b 1. evil, wickedness (moral) (83×)H7451a 2. evil, harm, calamity (80×)G1342 1. righteous, upright (of persons) (70×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† סָלְעָם n.m. an edible, winged, locust (NH id.; swallower, consumer, cf. 𝔗 סַלְעֵם swallow up, destroy; Arabic سَلْغَفَ vb. swallow, Köii.1, 404);—Lv 11:22 (+ אַרְבֶּה, חַרְגֹּל, חָגָב).