Locusts in the Bible: Symbolism, Judgment, and Restoration

These ancient plagues reveal how devastation can pave the way for divine renewal.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Sep 8, 2025

These ancient plagues reveal how devastation can pave the way for divine renewal.

Locusts play a significant role in the Bible, appearing across both Old and New Testament passages as agents of destruction, judgment, warning, and hope. These insects are woven into the biblical narrative as both real threats to agricultural societies and potent symbols of spiritual truths. This article examines every major biblical reference to locusts, the rich symbolism they convey, and their enduring message for readers today.

Introduction: Understanding Locusts in Scripture

In biblical times, locusts were widely feared. Swarms could devastate crops overnight, threatening entire communities with famine. As such, they were not only natural disasters but also powerful metaphors for God’s judgment and, at times, His mercy and restoration. The Bible references locusts dozens of times, each instance conveying lessons ranging from the need for humility to the importance of repentance.

Destruction: Locusts obliterate vegetation, resulting in famine and desolation.
Judgment: Several passages identify locusts as instruments of God’s judgment upon nations or individuals.
Warning and Repentance: Locust plagues often serve as warnings for people to turn back to God.
Restoration: God promises restoration even after seasons of devastation brought by locusts.

Biblical Passages Featuring Locusts

The Bible mentions locusts in both literal and figurative contexts. Below are the most significant passages, their context, and what they reveal.

1. The Plague of Locusts in Egypt (Exodus 10:1-20)

One of the most dramatic mentions of locusts occurs in the account of the plagues sent upon Egypt. Pharaoh’s refusal to let the Israelites go results in the eighth plague:

The locusts cover the land, darkening the sun and devouring every plant left after previous plagues ^{(Exodus 10:12-15)}.
Not a green thing remains, signifying the totality of God’s judgment against Egypt’s stubbornness.

Key takeaways:

Locusts as Divine Agents: God directly sends the locusts as a form of punishment and warning .
Separation of Consequences: The plague harms Egypt but spares the Israelites, underlining God’s protection of His people .

2. Locusts in the Book of Joel

The prophet Joel opens with a vivid description of a locust plague:

Joel speaks of successive waves of locusts devastating the land, stripping fields bare, and causing national mourning (Joel 1:4-7).
The plague is both literal devastation and a metaphor for future catastrophe—often understood as an impending invasion by foreign armies.

Joel’s Message:

The devastation demonstrates human frailty and the inability to withstand even the smallest creatures when God permits.
It’s a warning for repentance: “See how these little insects brought you to your knees? What if the Almighty is intent on destruction?” (Joel 1:15).
Through repentance comes restoration; God promises to “repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25).

Key Symbolism in Joel

Judgment: The locusts symbolize a warning of the coming “Day of the Lord,” a period of judgment harsher than the locusts themselves .
Restoration: Repentance leads to God’s promise of restoration and blessing even after disaster .

3. Locusts in Revelation 9:1-12 (The Fifth Trumpet)

In the New Testament, locusts reappear in a highly symbolic and terrifying form. During the vision of the seven trumpets in Revelation:

The fifth trumpet unleashes a host of locusts from the abyss; they are given power like scorpions to torment humanity for five months (Revelation 9:1-6).
These locusts are described as having human-like faces, women’s hair, lion’s teeth, and breastplates of iron. Their wings create a sound like chariots rushing into battle (Revelation 9:7-10).
Unlike natural locusts, they are told not to harm plants but only torment those without God’s seal.
Their leader is Abaddon (Hebrew) or Apollyon (Greek), meaning “destroyer” (Revelation 9:11).

Symbolic meanings:

Divine Judgment and Affliction: The locusts represent not just physical destruction but supernatural torment upon those opposing God .
Spiritual Warfare: Their monstrous appearance and power reflect the chaos and suffering of the end times .

Other Significant Biblical Occurrences

Proverbs 30:24-28: Locusts are listed among creatures considered wise despite their small size, a reminder that cooperation and unity can achieve great things .
Nahum 3:15-16: The prophet Nahum uses locusts as a metaphor for multiplicity and for how enemies of Israel multiply before disappearing like locusts.
Mark 1:6: John the Baptist’s diet included locusts and wild honey, showing that in some contexts locusts were also considered clean and edible.

Locusts as Instruments of God’s Purposes

The role of locusts in Scripture moves beyond physical devastation. They serve as reminders of:

God’s Sovereignty: Even natural disasters are subject to God’s commands. Locusts are seen responding to God’s direct will, whether in Egypt, Joel’s prophecy, or Revelation.
Human Limitations: No nation is immune to disaster. The smallest creatures can humble the mightiest empires.
Divine Warning and Mercy: Locust invasions often precede topics of repentance and restoration, calling people back to God.

Theological Symbolism and Moral Lessons

1. Judgment and Warning

Locusts are the harbingers of judgment in several passages. They serve as a physical warning of more severe spiritual realities. When God’s commands are ignored, locusts appear as a tangible consequence for stubbornness and sin .

2. Repentance and Restoration

Importantly, the aftermath of locust plagues often focuses on restoration. Joel’s prophecy is one of great hope: “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25). This is an explicit promise that God’s mercy outweighs His judgment when people turn to Him .

3. Multiplication and Wisdom

Locusts appear as metaphors for rapid increase and unity. In Proverbs, they are praised for their ability to act collectively despite having no king, highlighting the strength found in unity and wise cooperation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why did God use locusts as a form of judgment?

A: The use of locusts as judgment reflects their ability to inflict total agricultural devastation, stripping societies of sustenance and forcing humility. Their destructive power was understood as a direct sign of God’s displeasure and a call to repentance .

Q: Are biblical locust plagues historical or symbolic?

A: Many locust references describe real historical events (such as Egypt’s plague), but several passages—especially in the prophets and Revelation—employ locusts symbolically to illustrate deeper truths about judgment, sin, or spiritual warfare .

Q: How are locusts connected to restoration?

A: Following times of devastation, the Bible highlights God’s promise of restoration for those who turn to Him. Joel 2:25, for example, offers hope—showing that God not only judges but also forgives and renews.

Q: What does the appearance of locusts in Revelation mean?

A: In Revelation 9, locusts are supernatural agents of torment, symbolizing the severity of end-time judgments against those opposed to God. Their bizarre features heighten the sense of terror and emphasize the seriousness of rejecting God’s message .

Q: Does the Bible mention locusts positively?

A: Yes, in Proverbs 30 locusts are noted for their wisdom, and in the Gospels John the Baptist eats locusts, showing that they could also be seen as a resource and even a positive example of unity and wisdom .

Key Bible Verses on Locusts

Exodus 10:12-15: “…The locusts came up over all the land of Egypt… they covered the surface of the whole land… they ate all the plants in the land.”
Joel 1:4: “What the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten…”
Joel 2:25: “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…”
Revelation 9:3-6: “Out of the smoke came locusts on the earth… They were told not to harm the grass… but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.”
Proverbs 30:27: “The locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank.”
Nahum 3:15-17: “Multiply yourselves like the locust… Your merchants swarm like locusts…”
Mark 1:6: “Now John was clothed with camel’s hair… and he ate locusts and wild honey.”

Conclusion: Lessons from Locusts in the Bible

Locusts are more than background details in biblical stories; they are essential symbols. Whether as agents of judgment, calls to repentance, vivid portraits of restoration, or even positive examples of wisdom and unity, their presence urges readers to ponder their spiritual state and God’s call to humility and hope. Their repeated appearances underscore the seriousness of ignoring divine warnings but also the grace awaiting those who turn to Him.

References

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete