Palmer Worm
PALMER-WORM
This old English term, meaning pilgrim-worm, is used in Jer 1:4 2:25 Am 4:9, like “canker-worm” and “caterpillar,” for the locust in one of another of its various species or transitions. These insects are very destructive even before they reach the winged state. See LOCUST.
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
Palmer-Worm
(, gazam; Sept. ; Vulg. rsuca) occurs Joe 1:4; Joe 2:25; Amo 4:9. Bochart (Hieroz. 3, 253) has endeavored to shown that gazaim denotes some species of locust; but the ten Hebrew names to which Bochart assigns the meaning of different kinds of locusts can hardly apply to so many, as not more than two or three destructive species of locust are known in Bible lands. The derivation of the Hebrew word from a root which means to cut off, is as applicable to several kinds of insects, whether in their perfect or larva condition, as it is to a locust, the action of the jaws being nearly the same in both cases. Both insects, when in numbers, shear away the leaves, slice after slice, and leaf after leaf, until the plant is completely shorn of its verdure, when it either dies, or becomes at least incapable of bearing fruit for that season. Hence most interpreters prefer to follow the Sept. and Vulg., which are consistent with each other in the rendering of the Hebrew word in the three passages where it is found. The of Aristotle (Hist. Anim. 2, 17, 4, 5, 6) evidently denotes a caterpillar, so called from its bending itself up () to move, as the caterpillars called geometric, or else from the habit some caterpillars have of coiling themselves up when handled. The es-uca of the Vulg. is the of the Greeks, as is evident from the express assertion of Columella (De Re Rust. 11:3, 63, ed. Schneider). The Chaldee and Syriac understand some locust larva by the Hebrew word. Oedmann (Vetrm. Samml. fasc. 2, c. 6 p. 116) is of the same opinion. Tychsen (Comment. de locustis, etc., p. 88) identifies the gazam with the Gryllus cristatus, Lin., a South African species. Michaelis (Supp. p. 220) follows the Sept. and Vulg. SEE CATERPILLAR.
The English word palmer-worm is provincially used for the hairy muff-like caterpillar of the great tigermoth (Arctia caja). This is a very indiscriminate and voracious feeder, but we never heard of its attacking cultivated plants in such numbers as to produce the slightest alarm. Indeed, we much doubt whether any single species would devour indiscriminately plants with qualities so different as the olive, the fig, the vine, and the fruits of an Oriental garden. There are other varieties of the larger moths, however, which are very destructive to vegetables, especially that very common one in the latter part of summer, called the gamma moth (Plusia gamma), easily recognised by its bearing on each wing a Greek y, in silver on a dark brown. Perhaps, therefore, we need not look for any precise species, as represented by the gazam; but may understand the word to bear a sense as wide and general as its Greek or English equivalent.; and to include several species of caterpillars, all having this in common, a greedy devouring of cultivated produce, and a preternatural multiplication of their numbers. See Locust.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Palmer-worm
(Heb. gazam). The English word may denote either a caterpillar (as rendered by the LXX.), which wanders like a palmer or pilgrim, or which travels like pilgrims in bands (Joel 1:4; 2:25), the wingless locusts, or the migratory locust in its larva state.
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Palmer-Worm
PALMER-WORM.Old Eng. for caterpillar, see Locust.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Palmer-Worm
palmer-wurm (, gazam; Septuagint , kampe (Amo 4:9; Joe 1:4; Joe 2:25)): Palmer-worm means caterpillar, but the insect meant is probably a kind of locust. See INSECT; LOCUST.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Palmer-worm
The word is gazam, from a root signifying ‘to cut off,’ and is supposed to refer to some species of caterpillar, but to which is unknown. The devastations it causes are mentioned in Joe 1:4; Joe 2:25; Amo 4:9.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Palmer-Worm
Joe 1:4; Joe 2:25; Amo 4:9
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Palmer-worm
Palmer-worm. Heb. gzm. Joe 1:4; Joe 2:25) Amo 4:9. Probably some species of locust or caterpillar is intended.
Fuente: People’s Dictionary of the Bible
Palmer-worm
Palmer-worm. (Hebrew, gazam). Palmerworm occurs in Joe 1:4; Joe 2:25; Amo 4:9. It is maintained by many that gazam denotes some species of locust, but it is more probably, a caterpillar.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Palmer Worm
, Joe 1:4; Amo 4:9. Bochart says that it is a kind of locust, furnished with very sharp teeth, with which it gnaws off grass, corn, leaves of trees, and even their bark. The Jews support this idea by deriving the word from or , to cut, to shear, or mince, Notwithstanding the unanimous sentiments of the Jews that this is a locust, yet the LXX read , and the Vulgate eruca, a caterpillar; which rendering is supported by Fuller. Michaelis agrees with this opinion, and thinks that the sharp cutting teeth of the caterpillar, which, like a sickle, clear away all before them, might give name to this insect. Caterpillars also begin their ravages before the locust, which seems to coincide with the nature of the creature here intended.
Fuente: Biblical and Theological Dictionary
Palmer Worm
Joe 1:4 (a) This is a symbol of the sorrow and suffering sent by the Lord on His disobedient children. (See also Joe 2:25; Amo 4:9).