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Bible Dictionaries
Caterpillar
Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary
or חסתל . The word occurs Deuteronomy 28:38; Psalm 68:46; Isaiah 33:4; 1 Kings 8:37; 2 Chronicles 6:28; Joel 1:4; Joel 2:25 . In the four last cited texts, it is distinguished from the locust, properly so called; and in Joel 1:4 , is mentioned as "eating up" what the other species had left, and therefore might be called the consumer, by way of eminence. But the ancient interpreters are far from being agreed what particular species it signifies. The Septuagint in Chronicles, and Aquila in Psalms, render it βρουχος : so the Vulgate in Chronicles and Isaiah, and Jerom in Psalms, bruchus, the chafer, which is a great devourer of leaves. From the Syriac version, however, Michaelis is disposed to understand it the taupe grillon, "mole cricket," which, in its grub state, is very destructive to corn and other vegetables, by feeding on their roots. See LOCUST .
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Watson, Richard. Entry for 'Caterpillar'. Richard Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/wtd/c/caterpillar.html. 1831-2.
