In Scripture, “worm” can refer to caterpillars, moth larvae, maggots, or other crawling creatures. Worms are also used figuratively for human frailty, decay, and the continuing judgment of the wicked.
Definition
In Scripture, “worm” can denote several kinds of larvae or crawling creatures rather than only the earthworm. The term may refer to caterpillars, moth larvae, maggots, or larvae feeding on corrupting or putrefying matter. It can also be used figuratively of frailty, decay, and judgment.
Biblical Usage
Worms are associated with manna that bred larvae, larvae destructive to vines, and creatures feeding on the dead. The image is applied metaphorically to the torments of the guilty in the world of departed spirits, and “crawling things” may be intended in one passage.
Historical Background
The supplied material distinguishes several Hebrew terms: one likely refers to a clothes-moth larva, another to maggots or insect larvae from putrefying matter, and another to larvae destructive to vines. The valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem was described as alive with worms.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) Heb. sas (Isa. 51:8), denotes the caterpillar of the clothes-moth. (2.) The manna bred worms (tola’im), but on the Sabbath there was not any worm (rimmah) therein (Ex. 16:20, 24). Here these words refer to caterpillars or larvae, which feed on corrupting matter. These two Hebrew words appear to be interchangeable (Job 25:6; Isa. 14:11). Tola’im in some places denotes the caterpillar (Deut. 28:39; Jonah 4:7), and rimmah, the larvae, as bred from putridity (Job 17:14; 21:26; 24:20). In Micah 7:17, where it is said, “They shall move out of their holes like worms,” perhaps serpents or “creeping things,” or as in the Revised Version, “crawling things,” are meant. The word is used figuratively in Job 25:6; Ps. 22:6; Isa. 41:14; Mark 9:44, 46, 48; Isa. 66:24.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
the representative in the Authorized Version of several Hebrew words. Sas, which occurs in (Isaiah 51:18) probably denotes some particular species of moth, whose larva is injurious to wool. Rimmah, (Exodus 16:20) points evidently to various kinds of maggots and the larvae of insects which feed on putrefying animal matter, rather than to earthworms. Toleah is applied in (28:39) to some kinds of larvae destructive to the vines. In (Job 19:26; 21:26; 24:20) there is an allusion to worms (insect larvae) feeding on the dead bodies of the buried. There is the same allusion in (Isaiah 66:24) which words are applied by our Lord, (Mark 9:44,46,48) metaphorically to the torments of the guilty in the world of departed spirits. The valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem, where the filth of the city was cast, was alive with worms. The death of Herod Agrippa I, was caused by worms. (Acts 12:23)
