Thus the Lord GOD showed me: behold, he formed locusts in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and behold, it was the latter growth after the king’s harvest.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 1. The locust, and so forth These judgments by locusts and fire, which by the prophet’s intercession were moderated, signify the former invasions of the Assyrians under Phul and Theglathphalassar, before the utter desolation of Israel by Salmanasar. Challoner.—Locusts denoted the Assyrian invaders. 4 Kennicott. 18. Worthington.—Formed. Lit. “the maker of the locust, in the beginning of the herbs shooting,” and so forth ( Bible.) in spring. Saint Jerome—They pasture in our January: yet the grass of autumn may be meant. The king took the best which grows in summer. Calmet.—Septuagint “and lo, a swarm of locusts coming in the morning; and lo, one bruchus, Gog, the king,” ( Bible.) or “against king Gog.” Calmet.—Aquila has, “of the king of Gaza.” He probably left the original term, (Saint Jerome) gizze. Bible.—The invasion of the Assyrians, Chaldeans, and Scythians is insinuated. Theod.—The latter came the year after the earthquake. Calmet. 1. Pezron.—This was the first vision of Amos. Calmet.—He saw the first and last inroads of the Assyrians, as well as the prosperity of Jeroboam. Menochius.