גּוֹב
𐤂𐤅𐤁
gôwb
H1462 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of locust, specifically denoting a grasshopper or locust in its various developmental stages, especially the larval or nymph phase known for destructive feeding habits. The term focuses on the insect as an agent of devastation, particularly in the context of plagues or judgment.
Semantic Range
locust (in general), grasshopper, larval locust (grub/nymph), agent of devastation, plague insect
Root / Etymology
From the root גּוּב (gûb), meaning 'to dig, burrow, or hollow out.' The noun גּוֹב (gôwb) is derived from this root, referencing the characteristic behavior of the insect, particularly its grubbing or burrowing action while feeding as a larva or nymph.
Historical & Contextual Notes
גּוֹב appears in the Hebrew Bible as a term for a specific kind of locust, likely focusing on its early or destructive life stages (cf. Joel 1:4; 2:25), in parallel with other locust terms such as אַרְבֶּה (arbeh), חָסִיל (ḥāsîl), and יֶלֶק (yeleq), each of which may denote different species, life stages, or characteristic behaviors within the locust swarm. The term is especially pertinent in poetic or prophetic texts describing ecological devastation, such as those narrating divine judgment. English translations may render גּוֹב as 'grasshopper,' 'locust,' or, more technically, 'grub,' but this does not always capture the specific stage or nuance intended. Unlike ארבה, which can denote any generic locust, גּוֹב highlights the ground-dwelling, feeding aspect. The semantic distinction between these terms may not always be clearly maintained in English renderings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from גּוּב; the locust (from its grubbing as a larvae); grasshopper, [idiom] great.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גוב (g-w-b) — digging, burrowing, hollowing out
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1356 | גֵּב | dug-out pits |
| H1357 | גֵּב | cutting locusts |
| H1359 | גֹּב | in Gob |
| H1461 | גּוּב | diggers |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1462-01 |
גֹּבַ֔י | govay | HNcmsa |
locusts | burrowing locust | 2 |
H1462-02 |
כְּ/ג֣וֹב | kegov | HR/Ncmsc |
like swarm | like a burrowing locust | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1462-01 |
Amos 7:1 | גֹּבַ֔י | govay | HNcmsa |
locusts | burrowing locust |
H1462-02 |
Nahum 3:17 | כְּ/ג֣וֹב | kegov | HR/Ncmsc |
like swarm | like a burrowing locust |
H1462-01 |
Nahum 3:17 | גֹּבָ֑י | govay | HNcmpa |
of swarms | burrowing locust |