Locusts

[FriendofJonathan]

There is a teaching among some modern Christian preachers that the locusts that John the Baptist ate with wild honey in the wilderness were not bugs, bug a plant pod called 'carob bean.'  

While the greek word for locust: ἀκρίς (akris), occurs four times in the NT: plural in Matthew 3:4, Mark 1:6, and Rev. 9:3, and 9:7, there is no corresponding Greek word/s for 'carob bean pods.'

So, are these preachers right: was John eating something other than crunchy bugs with his wild honey?

[The_Patriot21]

Everything I have studied have suggested the actual bug, and not a plant. So I would have to see their reasoning before i changed my mind, and maybe not even then. But I would like to see it...

[FriendofJonathan]

3 minutes ago, The_Patriot21 said:

Everything I have studied have suggested the actual bug, and not a plant. So I would have to see their reasoning before i changed my mind, and maybe not even then. But I would like to see it...

The anti-flesheaters, such as Seventh Day Adventists, strongly support the carb bean pod argument, mainly because they can't envision the one making way for the Lord would killing animals fir food.  They lean also on the fact that the carob bean pod grows in abundance in the middle east and is a source of great nourishment. Mostly the poor resort to harvesting it for food because of its abundance and nutritional value. 

When I ask a SDA if the locusts in Revelation 9 are the same carob bean that John ate, because it's the same Greek word, they mostly struggle for a reply, some honestly say they "don't know."  

I'm convinced John ate locust bugs: they were considered kosher under the levitical law, they were also abundant, and the were also loaded with protein and other nutrients.  

Thanks Patriot. 

[NConly]

2 hours ago, FriendofJonathan said:

There is a teaching among some modern Christian preachers that the locusts that John the Baptist ate with wild honey in the wilderness were not bugs, bug a plant pod called 'carob bean.'  

While the greek word for locust: ἀκρίς (akris), occurs four times in the NT: plural in Matthew 3:4, Mark 1:6, and Rev. 9:3, and 9:7, there is no corresponding Greek word/s for 'carob bean pods.'

So, are these preachers right: was John eating something other than crunchy bugs with his wild honey?

interesting short article

Carob

Scientific NameCeratonia siliqua

Common NameCarob

Hebrew Nameחרוב

The carob is a flowering evergreen tree or shrub in the legume family. It is widely cultivated for its edible pods as well as its ornamental beauty. The carob tree is native to Israel and most of the Mediterranean region. Carob trees grow up to 15 meters in height and have a broad and semi-spherical crown supported by sturdy branches and a thick trunk with rough brown bark.

The fruit of the carob tree is a legume that takes a full year to develop and ripen. The fruit was used throughout history as animal feed and less commonly, for human consumption. Today, the ripe pods can be harvested, dried, toasted and then turned into carob powder or carob syrup. Carob pods are mildly sweet and the powder or syrup is used as an ingredient in some cakes and cookies, often as a substitute for chocolate or cocoa powder.

Fun fact: locust bean gum, a thickening agent and stabilizer often used in the food industry, is produced from the seeds of the carob tree.

[ayin jade]

Honey and carob bean would not provide a good diet. He would have needed protein. Many cultures, ancient and modern, eat bugs. (There is a current un agenda to convince the world to eat bugs too but NOT FOR ME.) One can buy cricket tacos in the us (mexican delicacy), and a certain ice cream chain has bug toppings every year for a week or two.

It sounds like they are trying to force a scripture to fit their viewpoint. But it is not a salvational issue so to me its not a big deal.

[ayin jade]

2 hours ago, FriendofJonathan said:

The anti-flesheaters, such as Seventh Day Adventists, strongly support the carb bean pod argument, mainly because they can't envision the one making way for the Lord would killing animals fir food.  They lean also on the fact that the carob bean pod grows in abundance in the middle east and is a source of great nourishment. Mostly the poor resort to harvesting it for food because of its abundance and nutritional value. 

When I ask a SDA if the locusts in Revelation 9 are the same carob bean that John ate, because it's the same Greek word, they mostly struggle for a reply, some honestly say they "don't know."  

I'm convinced John ate locust bugs: they were considered kosher under the levitical law, they were also abundant, and the were also loaded with protein and other nutrients.  

Thanks Patriot. 

The sda have bigger issues than what locusts really were. Some sda churchs have a belief that is a salvational issue, who Jesus is.

[BibleStudent100]

10 hours ago, FriendofJonathan said:

carob bean

In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the KJV says that the lad ate "husks" with the pigs, while other Bible translations use carob pods.

[BibleStudent100]

10 hours ago, FriendofJonathan said:

locusts that John the Baptist ate with wild honey in the wilderness were not bugs

Further thoughts:  I have tried insects smothered in chocolate and honey in Japan and they are delicious.  Bugs are an incredibly healthy food product, being almost entirely protein.  Today, when eaten for food, the head, legs, wings, and abdomen are removed; everything else is eaten raw or cooked.  The TV Shark Tank has had some pitches involving food products made out of insects (e.g. chips with insects, etc.).  Not a bad way to live on a regular basis actually.  

I still prefer my occasional In & Out double, double with strawberry shake though!
 

[farouk]

16 hours ago, ayin jade said:

Honey and carob bean would not provide a good diet. He would have needed protein. Many cultures, ancient and modern, eat bugs. (There is a current un agenda to convince the world to eat bugs too but NOT FOR ME.) One can buy cricket tacos in the us (mexican delicacy), and a certain ice cream chain has bug toppings every year for a week or two.

It sounds like they are trying to force a scripture to fit their viewpoint. But it is not a salvational issue so to me its not a big deal.

John the Baptist ate locusts and wild honey...............

[Marathoner]

1.) Locusts can grow to be rather large.

2.) 50-70% of a locust is protein.

3.) Locusts are edible.

4.) Consider the following: hordes of locusts arrive, utterly demolishing crops. What can be done about it?

Hordes of locusts for dinner, of course.