### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term לֶקֶשׁ (H3954, leqesh) derives from the root לָקַשׁ (laqash), which carries the sense of "to gather the after-growth" or "to glean." Consequently, לֶקֶשׁ specifically refers to the "latter growth" or "after-crop." This denotes a secondary yield of vegetation, typically hay or grass, that sprouts after an initial cutting or harvest. In the agricultural context of ancient Israel, where rainfall patterns dictated much of the growing season, the leqesh represented a subsequent, often less robust but still vital, source of sustenance following the primary yield. It stands in contrast to the initial, more abundant growth, yet its presence was crucial for sustained provision.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term לֶקֶשׁ (H3954) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, within a pivotal prophetic vision:
* [[Amos 7:1]]: "Thus the Lord GOD showed me: behold, he was forming locusts at the time the latter growth was coming forth, and behold, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings."
In this passage, Amos describes a vision of impending judgment upon Israel. The "latter growth" (leqesh) is presented as the target of a devastating locust plague. The phrase "after the king's mowings" is critical for understanding the context. It implies that the first, prime crop had already been taken, likely as tribute or for the king's own use (perhaps for his livestock or as a royal levy). What remained was the leqesh, the secondary growth, which would have been the primary source of food or fodder for the common people. The destruction of this leqesh by locusts therefore signifies a complete and utter devastation, leaving nothing for the populace. It highlights the severity of God's judgment, which would strip away even the last, most meager means of survival, leaving the nation utterly destitute.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of לֶקֶשׁ (H3954) is illuminated by its relationship to other biblical terms and agricultural concepts:
* **Root לָקַשׁ:** The verbal root from which leqesh derives, reinforcing the idea of a secondary gathering or gleaning.
* **Agricultural Cycle:** leqesh is part of the broader agricultural cycle in ancient Israel, which was highly dependent on seasonal rains.
* יוֹרֶה (yoreh) and מַלְקוֹשׁ (malqosh) (e.g., `{{H3138}}`, `{{H4456}}`): The "early" and "latter" rains, respectively, which were essential for the initial sprouting and subsequent growth, including the leqesh.
* קָצִיר (qatsir) (`{{H7105}}`): The general term for "harvest." leqesh represents a stage of growth that either precedes a later harvest or is the regrowth after an initial harvest.
* חָצִיר (chatsir) (`{{H2682}}`): General term for "grass" or "hay." leqesh specifies a particular stage or type of this growth.
* **Concepts of Judgment:** The use of leqesh in Amos links it directly to divine judgment and the complete removal of sustenance. It underscores a situation where even the secondary, less abundant provision is taken away, signifying the totality of the impending disaster.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of לֶקֶשׁ (H3954) in [[Amos 7:1]] carries profound theological weight:
* **Divine Sovereignty over Provision and Judgment:** The vision powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over the natural world and, by extension, over the life and death of His people. The leqesh, as a vital but secondary source of sustenance, highlights the precariousness of human existence apart from divine blessing. Its threatened destruction underscores the severity of God's judgment against Israel's persistent sin.
* **Total Devastation:** The fact that the locusts consume the "latter growth after the king's mowings" signifies a judgment so thorough that nothing is left. This contrasts with concepts of a preserved remnant in other prophetic books; in Amos, the vision emphasizes a near-total desolation, leaving the nation utterly vulnerable and without hope of natural provision.
* **Consequences of Unfaithfulness:** The destruction of the leqesh serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of national apostasy and social injustice. When Israel turned away from God, even the secondary blessings of the land were withdrawn, demonstrating that their very survival depended on their covenant faithfulness.
### Summary
לֶקֶשׁ (H3954, leqesh) refers to the "latter growth" or "after-crop," a crucial secondary yield in ancient Israel's agricultural cycle. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Amos 7:1]] is profoundly significant, depicting a vision of devastating judgment where a locust plague consumes this vital leqesh that remained "after the king's mowings." This imagery conveys a judgment so severe that even the last, most meager source of sustenance is removed, leaving the nation utterly destitute. Theologically, leqesh underscores God's absolute sovereignty over provision and judgment, powerfully illustrating the dire consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness and emphasizing the complete and unsparing nature of divine wrath when His people persist in sin.
TRV