[TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] in Malachi 3:11--Caterpillar (Critical NOTES‪)‬

According to the prophet Malachi YHWH Seba'ot promises the community: "I will rebuke the [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] (okel) on your behalf so that it will not destroy for you the fruit of the land and the vine in the field will not miscarry." (1) The word [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] in this passage, although never considered a notorious exegetical difficulty, has nevertheless proven somewhat problematic to translators and Bible commentators. Morphologically the word is to be parsed as an active participle in the qal theme of the common root [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], and etymologically it can be given a literal translation "eater" or "devourer." It is also clear from the context that some sort of agricultural pest is indicated. Nonetheless, the exact nuance of the term is yet obscure. In particular it is not certain whether the word is a general adjective describing any type of animal, beast, or insect that menaces the crops, or whether it is a substantive designating a specific pest. If it is a particular species, what is it? It is not necessary to rehearse all the opinions voiced on the matter, but a representative sampling of interpretations throughout the ages readily reveals the various approaches to this crux. Targum Jonathan renders it [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], "the destroyer," but Rashi explains that it refers to various types of locusts that eat the produce of the field. Ibn-Ezra and David Qimhi also connect it with types of locusts. To be sure, Rashi mentions specifically [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], while Ibn-Ezra speaks of [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], but they are nevertheless in agreement about the basic nature of the pest. The modern translations are no exception. KJV, AV, JPSV 1917, and Goodspeed AT render "devourer," while RSV translates "devourer" and glosses in the margin "the devouring locust." NAB translates "the locust" with no note, while NJPS translates "the locusts," commenting "devourer" in the footnote. The revised Luther's Bible renders "Fresser" (in quotation marks) and provides a marginal cross-reference to Joel 1:4 indicating that locusts are intended. (2) Indeed, the word [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] is frequently used in the Bible in descriptions of locusts, as has been pointed out by numerous commentators. C. F. Keil explains that the locust is intended and that it is called "devourer" because of its insatiable voracity." (3) P. A. Verhoef translates "devouring locusts" and provides a detailed depiction of their destructive culinary habits. (4) NEB breaks ranks and translates "pests," which could include animals other than insects. A fourth possibility has been suggested by H. Wolf, who takes the term to mean a worm that devours the fruit, on the basis of Deut 28:39, "You shall plant and cultivate vineyards, but wine you shall not drink or store away because the worm ([TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]) will eat it." (5) There seems to be no way of clearly deciding among these options, so A. E. Hill, who has written the most recent commentary on Malachi, plays it safe and prefers the more general interpretation "devourer." (6)