The Hebrew word gêb, represented by H1357, means locust. Its definition suggests a connection to the act of cutting. It is a rare term, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, where it is used to create a powerful simile.
The single appearance of H1357 is in Isaiah 33:4. In this verse, the gathering of an enemy's spoil is compared to the destructive swarming of insects. The text states that the spoil will be gathered like a caterpillar gathers, and the plunderers will move over it "as the running to and fro of locusts." This usage vividly portrays a scene of swift, chaotic, and total plundering, using the familiar image of a locust swarm's relentless movement to illustrate the action.
Several related words from its context help clarify the imagery associated with H1357:
- H2625 châçîyl (caterpillar): Defined as "the ravager, i.e. a locust; caterpillar." This word appears in the same verse and is often used alongside terms for locusts to describe devastating plagues and armies sent by God Joel 2:25.
- H4944 mashshâq (running to and fro): This word, defined as "a traversing, i.e. rapid motion," is used to describe the specific movement of the locusts H1357 in Isaiah 33:4, emphasizing their quick and comprehensive coverage.
- H8264 shâqaq (run): The root verb from which H4944 derives, meaning "to course (like a beast of prey); by implication, to seek greedily." This adds a sense of aggressive, predatory hunger to the motion of the locusts.
The theological significance of H1357 is tied entirely to its singular, illustrative use.
- Imagery of Judgment: The locust is used metaphorically to depict the agents of divine judgment. The "running to and fro" of locusts in Isaiah 33:4 illustrates the overwhelming and rapid manner in which the spoil H7998 of God's enemies will be seized.
- Natural World as a Metaphor: The term demonstrates how scripture uses phenomena from the natural world to explain divine actions. The recognizable, swarming behavior of a locust becomes a symbol for an unstoppable and thorough force.
- Swift Plunder: The simile in Isaiah 33:4 connects the movement of the gêb locust directly to the verb "run" H8264, characterizing the plunder of the enemy as a swift and greedy action, leaving nothing behind.
In summary, while H1357 gêb is one of the rarest words in the biblical text, its single use offers a potent and memorable image. It functions as a powerful simile in Isaiah 33:4 to depict the speed and completeness of plunder during an act of judgment. Its meaning is sharpened by surrounding words that describe ravaging insects and rapid, predatory motion, contributing a vivid detail to the prophetic message.
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