cankerworm Summary and Overview

(Heb. yelek), "the licking locust," which licks up the grass of the field; probably the locust at a certain stage of its growth, just as it emerges from the caterpillar state (Joel 1:4; 2:25). The word is rendered "caterpillar" in Ps. 105:34; Jer. 51:14, 17 (but R.V. "canker-worm"). "It spoileth and fleeth away" (Nah. 3:16), or as some read the passage, "The cankerworm putteth off [i.e., the envelope of its wings], and fleeth away."

[LOCUST]

yeleq, "the licking locust"; the locust when it emerges from the caterpillar state, and takes wing. Nahum 3:16; "spoileth," rather "the cankerworm puts off (the envelope of its wings) and fleeth away," so shall thy merchants flee. The small wings enable them to leap better, but not to fly; so, until their wings are matured, they continue devouring all vegetation in front of them.