Original Word: יֶלֶק
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: yekeq
Pronunciation: yeh'-lek
Phonetic Spelling: (yeh'-lek)
KJV: cankerworm, caterpillar
NASB: creeping locust, locusts, locust, young locusts
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to lick up]

1. a devourer
2. specifically, the young locust

cankerworm, caterpillar

From an unused root meaning to lick up; a devourer; specifically, the young locust -- cankerworm, caterpillar.

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
(a kind of) locust
NASB Translation
creeping locust (5), locust (1), locusts (2), young locusts (1).

יֶ֫לֶק noun masculine^{Nahum 3:16} a kind of locust, absolute יֶלֶק Nahum 3:16 5t.; יָ֑לֶק Joel 1:4 2t.; — always collective:

a. as devouring "" גָּזָם, אַרְבֶּה, חָסִיל, Joel 1:4 (twice in verse); Joel 2:25; "" אַרְבֶּה Psalm 105:34 (of Egyptian plague), compare Nahum 3:15 a (but strike out We).

b. in simile of multitude of men Nahum 3:15b Jeremiah 51:14; of horses Jeremiah 51:27 (יֶלֶק סָמָר).

c. in simile of scattering and disappearing Nahum 3:16.

יַלְקוּט see לקט.

Meaning and identity

יֶלֶק designates a specific stage of the locust life-cycle distinguished by its voracious, creeping activity before the full-grown, flying phase. Scripture employs the term figuratively for destructive forces and literally for an insect able to strip vegetation with relentless efficiency.

Occurrences in Scripture

Psalm 105:34;