גֵּב
𐤂𐤁
gêb
H1357 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of locust, specifically referring to a species of destructive grasshopper common in the ancient Near East; used to represent one kind of swarming insect known for its plant-devouring behavior. In biblical usage, 'gêb' denotes a particular variety of locust among several differentiated kinds, frequently appearing in conjunction with other insect names in Israelite dietary laws and lists of plagues. The emphasis is on its identity as a devouring, cutting insect, distinct from but related to other locust or grasshopper species.
Semantic Range
locust, a type of edible swarming insect, grasshopper (in some contexts); member of a specific group of kosher locusts; rarely, any creature that cuts or feeds by biting (in derived senses)
Root / Etymology
Derives from root גּוּב (g-w-b), meaning 'to cut' or 'to hew,' suggesting an association with the insect's destructive, cutting action on vegetation. The connection with the root highlights the locust's impact as a consumer of crops rather than the specific taxonomy of the insect. Secondary association with גֵּב as a derived noun for 'locust.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
'גֵּב' appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible (cf. Leviticus 11:22), primarily within the context of dietary regulations, where it is identified as one of several clean swarming insects permitted for consumption by Israelites. The term designates a particular type of locust considered distinct from others like אַרְבֶּה ('arbeh') or חַרְגֹּל ('chargol'), pointing to a more precise Israelite classification of locust species. In later rabbinic Hebrew and classical translations, the word's identification is at times uncertain, though most link it confidently to the locust family. Standard English translations typically render 'gêb' simply as 'locust,' which can obscure its specificity within Israelite entomological categories. The term does not appear to develop significant new connotations in the post-exilic period and remains a technical designation. Unlike the broader and sometimes pejorative usage of 'locust' in English (as symbol of plague or devastation), the Hebrew usage of 'gêb' in Levitical law is neutral, focusing on classification for consumption.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from גּוּב (compare גּוֹב); a locust (from its cutting); locust.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גוב (g-w-b) — to cut, to carve, to hew
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1356 | גֵּב | dug-out pits |
| H1359 | גֹּב | in Gob |
| H1461 | גּוּב | diggers |
| H1462 | גּוֹב | burrowing locust |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1357-01 |
גֵּבִ֖ים | gevim | HNcmpa |
of locusts | cutting locusts | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1357-01 |
Isaiah 33:4 | גֵּבִ֖ים | gevim | HNcmpa |
of locusts | cutting locusts |