from גּוּב; the locust (from its grubbing as a larvae); grasshopper, [idiom] great.
Transliteration:gôwb
Pronunciation:gobe
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term גּוֹב (gôwb, `{{H1462}}`) is derived from the root גּוּב (gûwb), which carries the core meaning of "to dig," "to grub," or "to cut into." This etymological root strongly informs the primary definition of גּוֹב as "the locust." The connection to "grubbing" likely alludes to the destructive feeding habits of locusts, particularly in their larval stages, or their capacity to consume vast amounts of vegetation. The semantic range extends to "grasshopper," indicating a broader category of jumping insects, though "locust" typically implies the more destructive, swarming variety. Intriguingly, the definition also notes an idiomatic usage of "great," which, as will be seen in its biblical contexts, often refers to the overwhelming scale or multitude associated with a locust infestation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term גּוֹב (gôwb, `{{H1462}}`) appears in two significant prophetic contexts within the Hebrew Bible, each illuminating its meaning:
1. **[[Amos 7:1]]**: "Thus the Lord GOD showed me: behold, he was forming locusts at the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and behold, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings." In this prophetic vision, גּוֹב clearly denotes a swarm of locusts, presented as a divinely orchestrated force. The context of "the latter growth" (לקֶשׁ, leqesh) highlights the timing of this plague – targeting the vital second crop, essential for sustenance after the initial royal harvest. The depiction emphasizes the devastating potential of these insects as instruments of divine judgment, threatening famine and national collapse.
2. **[[Nahum 3:17]]**: "Your scribes are like grasshoppers, your commanders like swarms of locusts settling on the walls on a cold day; when the sun rises, they fly away, and no one knows where they are." Here, גּוֹב is used in a vivid simile. The commanders of Nineveh are compared to "swarms of locusts" (גּוֹב גּוֹבַי, gôwb gôway), emphasizing their numerousness, their temporary presence, and their ultimate disappearance. The verse also employs אַרְבֶּה (arbeh, `{{H697}}`) for "locusts" in the preceding clause, suggesting a degree of interchangeability or perhaps a specific type within the broader category. The imagery underscores the transient and ultimately vulnerable nature of even powerful human forces when confronted by divine judgment. The idiomatic sense of "great" can be understood here as referring to the *multitude* or *overwhelming number* of these figures, akin to a vast swarm.
### Related Words & Concepts
גּוֹב (gôwb, `{{H1462}}`) exists within a rich biblical vocabulary for various insects, particularly those associated with plagues and destruction:
* **`{{H697}}` אַרְבֶּה (arbeh)**: The most frequently used Hebrew word for "locust," often associated with immense numbers and devastating plagues (e.g., [[Exodus 10:4]], [[Joel 1:4]]). Its co-occurrence with גּוֹב in [[Nahum 3:17]] suggests they can be used synonymously or refer to closely related types.
* **`{{H2628}}` חָגָב (chagab)**: Another term for "locust" or "grasshopper," sometimes used to emphasize smallness or insignificance (e.g., [[Numbers 13:33]], [[Isaiah 40:22]]).
* **Other Locust/Creeper Terms**: The Bible employs a range of terms to describe different stages or types of locusts and creeping insects, often found in lists depicting cycles of destruction or dietary laws (e.g., גָּזָם (gazam, `{{H1501}}`), יֶלֶק (yeleq, `{{H3218}}`), חַרְגּוֹל (chargol, `{{H2628}}`), סָלְעָם (sal'am, `{{H5556}}`)). גּוֹב fits within this broader entomological taxonomy.
* **Plagues and Judgment**: The concept of locusts is intrinsically linked to the biblical theme of divine judgment and discipline, most notably in the plagues against Egypt ([[Exodus 10]]) and the prophetic warnings in Joel.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of גּוֹב (gôwb, `{{H1462}}`) is primarily rooted in its role as an agent of natural destruction, often divinely orchestrated:
* **Divine Judgment and Discipline**: Locusts, including the גּוֹב, are consistently portrayed as instruments of God's judgment or disciplinary action against His people or their enemies. The vision in Amos exemplifies this, where the locust plague represents a direct consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness. Their appearance signals a call to repentance or the execution of divine wrath.
* **Sovereignty Over Creation**: The Lord God's ability to "form" and send locusts, as seen in Amos, powerfully demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over all creation, including the seemingly uncontrollable forces of nature. He commands the very creatures that bring devastation, underscoring His ultimate authority.
* **Transience of Human Power**: The comparison of powerful commanders to fleeting locusts in Nahum highlights the ephemeral and ultimately vulnerable nature of human might and glory. Despite their initial overwhelming presence, they are shown to be transient and easily dispersed, especially in the face of divine intervention. This serves as a humbling reminder of human limitations.
* **God's Providence and Restoration**: While גּוֹב signifies destruction, its removal also points to God's mercy and provision. The cessation of a locust plague signals God's willingness to restore the land and its productivity, demonstrating His care for His creation and His people.
### Summary
גּוֹב (gôwb, `{{H1462}}`) fundamentally denotes "locust" or "grasshopper," stemming from a root that emphasizes its "grubbing" or destructive feeding habits. Its limited but potent appearances in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in [[Amos 7:1]] and [[Nahum 3:17]], underscore its primary role as a symbol and instrument of overwhelming, divinely appointed destruction. The idiomatic sense of "great" associated with גּוֹב likely refers to the immense scale or multitude of a locust swarm. Theologically, גּוֹב serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over nature, His use of natural phenomena for judgment and discipline, and the ultimate transience of human power in the face of divine will. It is a word that evokes both fear of impending judgment and reverence for the God who commands all creation.
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