The Hebrew, Latin, Ge’ez, and Greek that is translated in English as “locust” is translated in Ayutla Mixtec as “insect like flying ants” because locusts are not known locally (source: Ronald D. Olson in Notes on Translation January, 1968, p. 15ff.), and in Pa’o Karen as “grashopper” (source: Gordon Luce in The Bible Translator 1950, p. 153f. ).
In connection with John the Baptist (Matthew 3:4 and Mark 1:6) in is translated in Shuar as “edible grasshoppers” (source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.), and in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) as geröstete Heuschrecken or “roasted locusts.” (Note that “Heuschrecken” literally means “the bane/horror of hay”).
The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “scorpion” in English is translated in North Tanna as “centipedes” (Luke 10:19) or “millipede” (Luke 11:12) (source: Ross McKerras).
The literal translation in Noongar is nirnt-daalang or “tail-tongue” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang) and in Uma it is translated as “stinging-caterpillar” (Source: Uma Back Translation).
There is complete agreement that these words refer to the scorpion. Many scholars accept that ‘aqrav was also a nickname for a type of whip used for punishing criminals.
The scorpion is an eight-legged creature. In the land of Israel it grows to about 13 centimeters (5 inches) long, but in some tropical countries scorpions can be up to 18 centimeters (7 inches) long. The front pair of legs has claws similar to those on a crab, and the tail, which it can arch over its head, carries a fierce sting. It feeds on other insects and on small reptiles, such as baby lizards. It grasps its prey in its claws and stings it with its tail, either killing it or paralyzing it.
In the Hebrew Bible the scorpion epitomizes harsh, inhospitable living conditions.
Scorpions are found almost worldwide, except in the Arctic tundra and on some islands. In most places, therefore, a local word will be available.
Following are a number of back-translations of Revelation 9:3:
Uma: “From inside that smoke swarmed grasshoppers, appearing and landing on the world. Those grasshoppers were given potent stings, like the sting of the living thing that is called tumpu lipa [worst kind of stinging centipede].” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “From the smoke there appeared locusts falling on the earth. Their biting was caused to be very poisonous as poisonous as a scorpion when it bites.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And then locusts came out of the smoke and landed on the earth. God made it so that they had a fiery sting whose pain was like the pain of one bitten by a scorpion.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “There were also locusts that came-out-with the smoke, and they descended on the earth. They were given ability to sting like a centipede.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Suddenly/unexpectedly there were many locusts which came out, coming from that smoke. They then spread all over the world here. They were given ability/means to cause suffering to the people like that of scorpions.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “In the smoke there were grasshoppers. These fell to the ground. The grasshoppers were given power to sting the people like scorpions here on earth sting.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
The locust is the most important insect in the Bible, being mentioned many more times than any other insect. Although there are nine Hebrew words in the Bible which refer to locusts, the most common one is ’arbeh. The equivalent in Greek is akris, and in Latin it is locusta. These words certainly refer to the locust rather than to the grasshopper. All locusts and grasshoppers belong to the family Acrididae, which is a family within the order Orthoptera, or “straight-winged” insects. Many species are found in the land of Israel and Egypt, but the most important are the Migratory Locust Locusta migratoria, the Desert Locust Schistocerca gregaria, and the Moroccan Locust Dociostaurus moroccanus. All three species are an important local food and are probably all called ’arbeh in the Bible.
Grasshoppers and locusts are both six-legged, winged insects that are characterized by the fact that their third pair of legs is elongated and adapted to hopping. The lower portion of these legs has a row of spikes that are used both for making sounds and as a means of defense. The front wings are narrow, straight, and stiff. When not being used to fly, they function as a cover for thin, membrane-like hind wings, which are much larger and colored, and which are folded together like a Chinese fan. When the locust or grasshopper flies, it hops into the air spreading out its wings as it does so. It flies with a slight clattering sound, made by the stiff front wings striking each other.
Locusts differ from grasshoppers mainly in that they form swarms at certain periods and migrate to new areas, which they colonize. At other times they live either solitary or in small groups. Their reproduction rate varies with the climatic conditions. Eggs are laid in the soil in small packets, and hatching is related to the degree of humidity. In dry periods only a few hatch, but in periods of good rainfall they suddenly hatch out in exceptionally large numbers.
Unlike most other insects, locusts do not go through stages in which they exist as larvae or caterpillars. They emerge from the eggs as nymphs, which are simply tiny wingless locusts with undeveloped hopper legs. The nymphs, which can only crawl around, feed on green vegetation, consuming many times their own body weight each day. As they grow bigger and develop, they shed their skins. Their hopping legs develop before their wings, so that they pass through a stage when they can hop but not fly. At this stage, when they are referred to as “hoppers”, they exist in less dense masses than as nymphs, having spread out a little, but since they are now eating even more than before, they can still cause considerable damage to crops. Once they develop into adults they can both hop and fly. If the climatic conditions are right and exceptionally large numbers have developed to this stage, they completely devastate the vegetation where they have been developing. When this happens they begin to congregate in preparation for swarming. In other words they come together and migrate as a group to greener pastures, flying together in large swarms. At this congregating stage, during the migration and immediately after it, they present a major threat to crops and other vegetation, on which they feed unceasingly.
A locust swarm may consist of billions of locusts. A report of a single swarm in 1889 estimated for that swarm to cover 5,500 square kilometers (about 2,000 square miles). Certainly even in recent times swarms have been known large enough to blot out the sun like a large black cloud. The clattering of wings as the locusts approach is a sound hard to forget. Where the swarm lands, even temporarily, every green bush or clump of grass in sight is attacked by the locusts, and the sound of them munching on the leaves is clearly audible, sometimes for hours. Afterwards, hardly a single green leaf or blade of grass can be seen, and many bushes even have the bark eaten off, leaving them bare.
Against such enormous numbers ancient peoples felt absolutely helpless. There was no way they could stop the destruction. The lighting of grass fires helped only in a very small way. Ironically it is when locusts swarm like this that they can be easily caught in large numbers for eating. They are often caught in blankets, fishing nets, and baskets. The lower part of the hopping legs is snapped off, and they are cooked by toasting, grilling, frying, or broiling. In some places they are also eaten raw. When toasted and salted they taste a little like salted peanuts.
Some commentators have pointed out that the plague of locusts in Egypt probably provided the Israelites with food in the Arabian and Sinai deserts, since this is the usual migration route of locusts in that part of the world.
Following is a summary of the development cycle of the major locust species: Nymphs, which can only crawl, develop to a hopping stage; the hoppers develop wings and become adult locusts; if climatic conditions are right, these adults gather into swarms and migrate to new locations; the females lay eggs, and the whole cycle is repeated. There are thus four discernible phases: nymphs, hoppers, resident adults, and swarming or migrating adults. It is possible that chasil refers to the crawling nymph, yeleq to the juvenile hopper, ’arbeh to the resident adult, and gazam to the swarming adult. However, this is far from proven, as the words seem to be used almost interchangeably when referring to locust plagues.
Crickets and katydids: Crickets are a nocturnal relative of the locusts and grasshoppers. Some types have wings, others do not. They are usually black or brown, with shorter rounder bodies, and they shelter during the day under rocks or logs, or, in the case of the so-called mole crickets, in holes that they dig. At night they make characteristic high-pitched chirping sounds, which carry a surprisingly long way. Each species makes a slightly different sound. Like locusts and grasshoppers they feed on vegetation, usually leaves.
Katydids are similar to crickets but are usually green and have wings. They are active at night, when they make cricket-like chirping sounds, but settle during the day underneath leaves in trees. Their wings are leaf-shaped, and with their green color they have excellent camouflage. Some katydids eat other insects.
Both crickets and katydids have extremely long feelers.
Given their large numbers and swarming characteristics, it is small wonder that locusts were a symbol of a vast attacking army against which there was no defense. They were also a symbol of divine punishment.
The Migratory Locust Locusta migratoria is found in many parts of the world, except North America. In these areas it should be easy to find a local word. However, in some countries with high rainfall this and other species of locust do not swarm in the same way that they do in the Middle East and the drier parts of Africa. In these countries it may be necessary in some contexts to use a phrase such as “swarms of locusts” rather than simply “locusts”. In areas where locusts are not known, a phrase like “large/giant grasshopper” can usually be substituted.
The Hebrew words gev, gov and govay are related to a verb meaning “to swarm” or “to gather together”, and thus the reference is almost certainly to the locust.
The word tselatsal (Deuteronomy 28:42; Isaiah 18:1) represents the sound of insects’ wings, and the reference is most likely to the sound made by a swarm of locusts. The English versions that have “whirring” or “buzzing” make some attempt at reflecting this, but “buzzing” is inadequate as a description of the sound such a swarm makes. “Clattering”, “chirping”, “whirring”, or “fluttering” comes closest in English to representing the sound represented by the Hebrew word.
In many Bantu languages in Africa, and in other languages where ideophones occur which express the sound of thousands of whirring wings, such ideophones are a good equivalent. Elsewhere a noun phrase, modified by an adverbial expression similar to the English, can be used.
In most contexts the word chagav seems to mean “grasshopper”, the exception being 2 Chronicles 7:13, where the reference is to locusts. In the two passages where the grasshopper symbolizes something small and insignificant (Numbers 13:33 and Isaiah 40:22), it may not be possible to capture the right inference by translating literally. In such cases the translator is free to use some other insect that is symbolic of small size and insignificance in the local culture, such as “ant”, “louse”, “flea”, and others. In cases where no insect name carries this symbolism, the name of an animal with the correct connotations can be used; for example, “mouse” or “squirrel”.
From the smoke that filled the air, locusts descended upon the earth. Huge swarms of locusts were not uncommon in that part of the world (see Exo 10.1-20 for the plague of locusts in Egypt), and the prophet Joel spoke of swarms of locusts as instruments of God’s wrath. In cultures where locusts do not exist but grasshoppers are known, one may say “grasshoppers.” However, in cultures where creatures like this are nonexistent, it may be necessary to borrow a word from English or some other major language and describe the creature in the glossary. A picture of a locust will also be helpful. In some parts of the world a cultural equivalent in jungle areas may be used; for example, “(large) leaf-eating insect.” However, the insect chosen should have the tendency to appear in large numbers or swarms, as locusts do.
They were given power: these creatures are under God’s control; the power they receive is the power to injure people—the kind of power that scorpions have, that is, to sting people. As in verse 10, power here means something more like “capacity,” “capability.” In languages that do not use the passive, translators may say, for example, “they received the ability” or “someone gave them the ability.”
Scorpions of the earth: scorpions are small creatures with eight legs and a long tail that has a poisonous sting; they can inflict very painful wounds, which are sometimes fatal. The added phrase of the earth seems to mean that these are actual scorpions, unlike the locusts, which are demonic beings (verses 7-11).
An alternative translation model for this verse is:
• Locusts came down out of the smoke onto the earth, and they received the power to sting people, like that of scorpions.
Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
out of the smoke, locusts descended: The phrase out of the smoke is emphasized in the Greek and the Berean Standard Bible. If possible, emphasize this phrase naturally in your language.
In some languages it is more natural to put this clause in its usual place. For example:
locusts came out of the smoke
locusts: The Greek word used here refers to any kind of grasshopper. The locust is a kind of grasshopper that flies in swarms and eats all plants. Many English versions use the word locusts because of its harmful nature. Farmers fear swarms of locusts because they can eat a whole crop in minutes. Your language may have a word for locusts, or you may have a general word for grasshopper.
Some languages do not have a word for locust or grasshopper. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:
swarms of plant eating, flying insects -or-
swarms of flying insects ⌊called grasshoppers⌋
• Use the major language word. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:
The name “locust” refers to a plant eating, flying insect. They swarm and eat all plants and even the bark of trees. Farmers fear swarms of locusts because they can eat a whole crop in minutes.
9:3b
they were given power: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
⌊God⌋ gave power to them -or-
they received power
power like that of the scorpions of the earth: This phrase indicates that the locusts had stingers as scorpions do (9:10a). Other ways to translate this phrase are:
like the power of earthly scorpions (God’s Word) -or-
the same power that scorpions have (Contemporary English Version)
like that of the scorpions of the earth: Scorpions can be two centimeters (0.8 inches) long or as large as twelve centimeters (five inches), depending on the kind of scorpion. A scorpion’s tail has a stinger on the end. The stinger can stab the skin and inject poison that causes pain.
The stings of some kinds of scorpions cause only mild pain. But the stings of other kinds of scorpions cause severe pain. 9:6a implies that these locusts cause severe pain.
In some languages scorpions are not known. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Describe a scorpion in your translation. For example:
like that of an insect/animal with a sting ⌊that causes severe pain⌋
• Use an insect or small animal in your area that has a painful sting or bite. You may then want to explain the literal word in a footnote, using the major language word for scorpion. An example footnote is:
Literally: “scorpion.” A scorpion is an insect that has a tail with a stinger on the end. It can stab the skin and inject a small amount of poison that causes pain.
• Use the major language word. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:
A scorpion is an insect that has a tail with a stinger on the end. It can stab the skin and inject poison that causes severe pain.
the scorpions of the earth: The phrase of the earth indicates that these scorpions are the usual ones that live on earth. Since the earth is the only place where real scorpions live, some English versions omit this phrase. For example:
Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
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