Lexical Summary solam: Ladder, Stairway Original Word: סָלְעָם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Consuming locust Apparently from the same as cela' in the sense of crushing as with a rock, i.e. Consuming; a kind of locust (from its destructiveness) -- bald locust. see HEBREW cela' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprobably from the same as sela Definition a locust NASB Translation devastating locust (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs סָלְעָם noun masculine an edible, winged, locust (Late Hebrew id.; swallower, consumer, compare ᵑ7 סַלְעֵם swallow up, destroy; Arabic  verb swallow, Köii. 1, 404); — Leviticus 11:22 (+ אַרְבֶּה, חַרְגֹּל, חַגָב). Topical Lexicon Placement within the Dietary Law סָלְעָם appears once, inside the core holiness code that differentiates clean from unclean creatures (Leviticus 11:20-23). Israel was forbidden most winged insects, yet granted four hopping varieties: “Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket, or grasshopper” (Leviticus 11:22). סָלְעָם is the second in that list, demonstrating that the Law balanced restriction with gracious provision. Natural Description and Identification Most scholars locate סָלְעָם among the Tettigoniidae (katydids) or a closely related bald-headed locust. These insects thrive in the Levant after spring rains, cluster on low vegetation, and can be gathered at dawn while motionless. Sun-drying or roasting over coals preserves them; crushed with salt they become a coarse meal rich in protein, calcium, and iron. Historical Use as Food Archaeological strata from Egypt to Jordan contain charred locust wings, confirming widespread consumption. Rabbinic tradition (Mishnah, Hullin 3) records methods for identifying kosher locusts by jointed hind legs—echoing Leviticus 11:21. In famine years (e.g., Ruth 1:1), an edible swarm of סָלְעָם could mean the difference between hunger and survival. Nomads packed the dried insects in skins; settled villagers stored them in clay jars alongside grain. Theological Significance 1. Holiness Worked Out in Daily Choices – Eating only the specified insects trained Israel to exercise constant discernment (Leviticus 11:45; Ezekiel 44:23). Connections to Prophetic Imagery Joel 1:4 names successive swarms that ravage Judah, portraying judgment yet also anticipating restoration: “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25). Though Joel uses different Hebrew terms, the larger insect motif—including סָלְעָם—teaches that the Lord both disciplines and redeems. Practical Ministry Lessons • Contentment – Whether missionaries in remote regions or believers facing economic strain, the example of permitted insects reminds Christians that God’s provision may arrive in unexpected forms (Philippians 4:11-13). Related References Leviticus 11:20-23; Deuteronomy 14:19-20; Judges 6:5; Joel 1:4; Joel 2:25; Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6; Mark 7:19; Acts 10:12-16; Revelation 9:3-5. Forms and Transliterations הַסָּלְעָ֖ם הסלעם has·sā·lə·‘ām hassalAm hassālə‘āmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 11:22 HEB: לְמִינ֔וֹ וְאֶת־ הַסָּלְעָ֖ם לְמִינֵ֑הוּ וְאֶת־ NAS: in its kinds, and the devastating locust in its kinds, KJV: after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, INT: the locust kinds and the devastating kinds and the cricket 1 Occurrence |
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