The term "palmerworm" appears in the Bible primarily in the context of agricultural devastation and divine judgment. It is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Joel, where it is part of a sequence of locust-like creatures that bring destruction to the land. The Hebrew word translated as "palmerworm" is "gāzām," which is often understood to refer to a type of locust or caterpillar that consumes crops.

Biblical References:

1. Joel 1:4 : "What the devouring locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust has left, the young locust has eaten; and what the young locust has left, the destroying locust has eaten." In this passage, the palmerworm is part of a devastating plague that affects the land of Judah. The sequence of locusts represents successive waves of destruction, emphasizing the totality of the devastation.

2. Joel 2:25 : "I will repay you for the years eaten by locusts—the swarming locust, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust—My great army that I sent against you." Here, God promises restoration to His people after the judgment symbolized by the locusts, including the palmerworm. This verse highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to restore what has been lost due to judgment.

Theological Significance:

The palmerworm, as part of the locust plague, serves as a symbol of divine judgment and a call to repentance. The book of Joel uses the imagery of locusts to convey the severity of God's judgment on a nation that has turned away from Him. The devastation brought by the palmerworm and other locusts is a tangible expression of the consequences of sin and disobedience.

In a broader theological context, the palmerworm and the locust plague can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate judgment that will come upon the world. However, the promise of restoration in Joel 2:25 also points to God's mercy and His willingness to forgive and restore those who turn back to Him in repentance.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient agrarian societies, locust plagues were among the most feared natural disasters. They could decimate crops and lead to famine, economic ruin, and social instability. The mention of the palmerworm in the Bible would have resonated deeply with the original audience, who understood the catastrophic impact such a plague could have on their lives.

The palmerworm, along with the other locusts, serves as a vivid reminder of the fragility of human life and the dependence of humanity on God's provision and protection. The biblical narrative uses this imagery to call the people to a renewed faithfulness and reliance on God.

Conclusion:

The palmerworm, as depicted in the book of Joel, is a powerful symbol of both judgment and hope. It underscores the seriousness of turning away from God and the consequences that follow, while also highlighting God's readiness to restore and bless those who return to Him. The imagery of the palmerworm invites believers to reflect on their own lives, encouraging a posture of repentance and trust in God's redemptive power.Palmerworm

(Heb. gazam) occurs (Joel 1:4; 2:25; Amos 4:9) It is maintained by many that gazam denotes some species of locust. but it is more probably a caterpillar.

(Hebrews 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. 1. (n.) Any hairy caterpillar which appears in great numbers, devouring herbage, and wandering about like a palmer. The name is applied also to other voracious insects.

2. (n.) In America, the larva of any one of several moths, which destroys the foliage of fruit and forest trees, esp. the larva of Ypsolophus pometellus, which sometimes appears in vast numbers.

PALMER-WORM

pam'-er-wurm (gazam; Septuagint kampe (Amos 4:9 Joel 1:4; Joel 2:25)): "Palmer-worm" means "caterpillar," but the insect meant is probably a kind of locust.

See INSECTS; LOCUST.

The Answer that Without God's Help not Only Perfect Chastity but ...
... there come to him, as Scripture says, "a heaven of brass and an earth of iron,"
and "the cankerworm eat what the locust hath left, and the palmerworm eat what ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter iii the answer that.htm

Joel's Rhapsody of the Locust Plague
... That which the palmerworm hath left Hath the locust eaten; And that which the locust
hath left Hath the cankerworm eaten; And that which the cankerworm hath ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/joels rhapsody of the locust.htm

Smitten in Vain
... smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens, and your vineyards, and
your fig-trees, and your olive-trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/smitten in vain.htm

The Last Farewell in the Presence of the one Hundred and Fifty ...
... Alas! how rich we were in misfortunes, for the fire consumed the beauties of the
world. [4303] That which the palmerworm left did the locust eat, and that ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xlii the last farewell.htm

Sovereignty of God in Administration
... have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards
and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter three sovereignty of god.htm

Letter Liii. To Paulinus.
... [1466] Joel the son of Pethuel describes the land of the twelve tribes as spoiled
and devastated by the palmerworm, the canker-worm, the locust, and the blight ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter liii to paulinus.htm

Palmerworm (2 Occurrences)
... of locust. See INSECTS; LOCUST. Multi-Version Concordance Palmerworm (2
Occurrences). Joel 1:4 That which the palmerworm hath left ...
/p/palmerworm.htm - 8k

Cankerworm (7 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Joel 1:4 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that
which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the ...
/c/cankerworm.htm - 10k

Caterpiller (4 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Joel 1:4 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that
which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the ...
/c/caterpiller.htm - 7k

Worm (22 Occurrences)
... Joel 1:4 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which
the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the ...
/w/worm.htm - 21k

Insects (17 Occurrences)
... 16. Bald locust, beetle, canker-worm, cricket, and palmerworm probably
all denote various kinds of grasshoppers and locusts. When ...
/i/insects.htm - 14k

Palm-column (1 Occurrence)
Palm-column. Palm-branches, Palm-column. Palmerworm . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY). Palm-branches, Palm-column. Palmerworm . Reference Bible.
/p/palm-column.htm - 6k

Palmer-worm (2 Occurrences)
Palmer-worm. Palmerworm, Palmer-worm. Palms . Easton's Bible Dictionary ... (See
JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Palmerworm, Palmer-worm. Palms . Reference Bible.
/p/palmer-worm.htm - 7k

Locust (25 Occurrences)
... "Palmerworm" and "canker-worm" are both Old English terms for caterpillars, which
are strictly the larvae of lepidopterous insects, ie butterflies and moths. ...
/l/locust.htm - 34k

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