caterpillar Summary and Overview

the consumer. Used in the Old Testament (1 Kings 8:37; 2 Chr. 6:28; Ps. 78:46; Isa. 33:4) as the translation of a word (hasil) the root of which means "to devour" or "consume," and which is used also with reference to the locust in Deut. 28:38. It may have been a species of locust, or the name of one of the transformations through which the locust passes, locust-grub. It is also found (Ps. 105:34; Jer. 51:14, 27; R.V., "cankerworm") as the rendering of a different Hebrew word, "yelek", a word elsewhere rendered "cankerworm" (q.v.), Joel 1:4; 2:25. (See LOCUST T0002309.)

The representative in the Authorized Version of the Hebrew word chasil and yelek. 1. Chasil occurs in #1Ki 8:37; 2Ch 6:28; Ps 78:46; Isa 33:4; Joe 1:4| and seems to be applied to a locust, perhaps in its larva state. 2. Yelek. [LOCUST].

CAT'ERPILLAR (the consumer), probably another word for locusts in their immature or wingless state, appearing in vast numbers and of most destructive voracity. 1 Kgs 8:37. Hence they were often employed as the agents in the execution of God's judgments, Ps 78:46 and Ps 105:34, and figuratively represent a great multitude. Isa 33:4; Jer 51:14, Gen 1:27. They were regarded as among the most desolating visitations of God's hand.

Chacil, from chaacal to consume. As gazam is the gnawing locust, 'arbet the swarming locust, yalaq the licking locust, so chacil is the consuming, i.e. the most destructive, locust. Yeleq is also translated "caterpillar" (Psalm 105:34), in other places "cankerworm." The chacil or consuming locust is the climax. The real foe meant in Joel 1:4 is the Assyrian Babylonian power, the Medo-Persian, the Graeco-Macedonian and Antiochus Epiphanes, Rome the fourth and most consuming foe of the four which successively ravaged Judaea.