Topical Encyclopedia
Cricket, in the context of the Bible, refers to a small insect known for its distinctive chirping sound. While the sport of cricket is not mentioned in the Bible, the insect is noted in the Scriptures, particularly in the context of plagues and dietary laws.
Biblical References:1.
Plagues and Judgments: Crickets, along with other insects, are often associated with plagues and divine judgments in the Bible. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet speaks of a time when the land will be laid waste, and the presence of insects like crickets is implied as part of the desolation. Although the Berean Standard Bible does not specifically mention crickets in this context, the imagery of swarming insects is a common biblical motif for judgment and devastation.
2.
Dietary Laws: In
Leviticus 11, the dietary laws given to the Israelites include instructions on which insects are permissible to eat. While crickets are not explicitly mentioned in the Berean Standard Bible, similar insects such as locusts and grasshoppers are considered clean and acceptable for consumption.
Leviticus 11:22 states, "Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket, or grasshopper." This indicates that crickets were part of the diet in ancient Israel, highlighting their role as a source of sustenance.
Symbolism and Interpretation:In biblical symbolism, crickets and other small insects can represent insignificance or humility due to their size. However, their ability to swarm and cause destruction also serves as a reminder of the power of God's creation and the potential for small things to have a significant impact. This duality can be seen as a reflection of the biblical theme that God often uses the humble and seemingly insignificant to fulfill His purposes.
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient Near East, crickets were a common part of the natural environment. Their chirping was a familiar sound, especially in rural areas. The inclusion of crickets in the dietary laws suggests that they were a recognized and accepted part of the diet, providing protein and nutrition in a region where food resources could be scarce.
Theological Insights:From a theological perspective, the mention of crickets in the Bible can be seen as part of the broader theme of God's provision and the order of creation. The dietary laws, including the allowance of certain insects, reflect God's care for His people by providing guidelines for health and sustenance. Additionally, the use of insects in the context of plagues serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the consequences of disobedience.
In summary, while crickets are not a major focus in the Bible, their presence in the Scriptures provides insight into the daily life and spiritual lessons of the ancient Israelites. Their role in dietary laws and as symbols of judgment underscores the intricate relationship between God's creation and His divine purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An orthopterous insect of the genus Gryllus, and allied genera. The males make chirping, musical notes by rubbing together the basal parts of the veins of the front wings.
2. (n.) A low stool.
3. (n.) A game much played in England, and sometimes in America, with a ball, bats, and wickets, the players being arranged in two contesting parties or sides.
4. (n.) A small false roof, or the raising of a portion of a roof, so as to throw off water from behind an obstacle, such as a chimney.
5. (v. i.) To play at cricket.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CRICKETkrik'-et (chargol): This occurs inLeviticus 11:22 (the King James Version "beetle"), and doubtless refers to some kind of locust or grasshopper.
SeeBEETLE;LOCUST; INSECTS.
Strong's Hebrew
6767c. tselatsal -- a whirring locust... a whirring locust. Transliteration: tselatsal Short Definition:
cricket. Word Origin
from tsalal Definition a whirring locust NASB Word Usage
cricket (1).
...2728. chargol -- (a kind of) locust
... 2727, 2728. chargol. 2729 . (a kind of) locust. Transliteration: chargol
Phonetic Spelling: (khar-gole') Short Definition:cricket....
6767. tslatsal -- whirring, buzzing
... From tsalal reduplicated; a clatter, ie (abstractly) whirring (of wings); (concretely)
acricket; also a harpoon (as rattling), a cymbal (as clanging) -- cymbal...
Library
The Races --A Letter
... practically, certainly in the New World, little save ballet-girls, billiard-tables,
and thin boots: English civilisation, little save horse-racing andcricket....
Barabbas
... great many more it is the winner of a race, or the champion player in a successful
football team, or the most effective bowler, or the highest scorer incricket...
A Memorial Sketch by John Watson (Ian Maclaren)
... Acricket match between two schools had been going on all day and was coming to
an end, and I had gone out to see the result"being a new arrival in Stirling...
'the Angel Adjutant'
... One turns out of the respectable streets where the children are playingcricket,
cherry-bobs, hopscotch, hoops, and cards, and suddenly finds himself in...
Visit to Kalli at College
... He had strolled out to witness acricket-match in a field near Canterbury, but Blunsom,
the College porter, said that he had promised to return by two o'clock...
For this Deep and Disabling Reason Therefore, Its Cynical and...
... or wrong the thing can be done; the factory is working, the wheels are going around,
the gentlemen are being produced, with their soap,cricket and organized...
These are the False Accusations; the Accusation of Classicism...
... society to settle whether Charles I ought to have been killed, with the same solemn
and pompous frivolity with which he takes sides in thecricket field to...
A Liberal Education: and Where to Find It.
... of our public schools might not well be made to supply knowledge, as well as
gentlemanly habits, a strong class feeling, and eminent proficiency incricket....
But the Important Point Here is Only that You Cannot Anyhow Get...
... The modern scientific schoolmaster pursues him into the playground and makes him
play atcricket, because exercise is so good for the health....
An Appreciation of John Wesley's Journal
... our two universities, famous despite their faults, were always open to the poor
scholar who was ready to subscribe, not to boat clubs orcricket clubs, but to...
Thesaurus
Cricket (2 Occurrences)... obstacle, such as a chimney. 5. (vi) To play at
cricket. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia.
CRICKET. krik'-et (chargol): This occurs
...Insects (17 Occurrences)
... we find at least 23 names of insects or words referring to them: ant, bald locust,
bee, beetle, cankerworm, caterpillar, creeping thing,cricket, crimson, flea...
Beetle (7 Occurrences)
... The word is rendered "cricket" in the Revised Version. Noah Webster's Dictionary....
It certainly is not a beetle and is probably not acricket....
Bowl (44 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) The game of tenpins or bowling. 8. (vt) To roll, as a bowl orcricket ball....
12. (vi) To roll a ball on a plane, as atcricket, bowls, etc. 13....
Crib (3 Occurrences)
Locust (25 Occurrences)
... Chargol (3), the King James Version "beetle," the Revised Version (British and American)
"cricket," being one of the leaping insects, cannot be a beetle....
Katydid (1 Occurrence)
... Katydid (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 11:22 Even of these you may eat: any kind of locust,
any kind of katydid, any kind ofcricket, and any kind of grasshopper....
Umpire (1 Occurrence)
... to whose sole decision a controversy or question between parties is referred;
especially, one chosen to see that the rules of a game, ascricket, baseball, or...
Outer (98 Occurrences)
... or position regarded as a center or starting place; -- opposed to inner; as, the
outer wall; the outer court or gate; the outer stump incricket; the outer...
Grasshopper (12 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:22 Even of these you may eat: any kind of locust, any kind of
katydid, any kind ofcricket, and any kind of grasshopper....
Resources
Is it wrong to kill spiders or step on bugs? | GotQuestions.orgCricket: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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