{
  "entry_id": "TSP-ENT-000137",
  "slug": "caterpillar",
  "url_path": "/types-symbols/caterpillar/",
  "canonical_name": "Caterpillar",
  "entry_classifications": [
    "ORDINARY_DESCRIPTION",
    "SYMBOL"
  ],
  "modules": [
    "ANIMALS"
  ],
  "aliases": [],
  "legacy_present": true,
  "legacy_raw_wording_public": false,
  "senses": [
    {
      "sense_id": "TSP-SNS-000350",
      "label": "Caterpillar as archaic English rendering of hasil locust terminology",
      "classification": "ORDINARY_DESCRIPTION",
      "definition": "KJV caterpillar in Joel 1:4 represents Hebrew hasil, one of four uncertain locust terms; modern translations often render consuming/stripping locust.",
      "not_always": "The entry must not assume the modern zoological category caterpillar; the Hebrew term belongs to Joel’s locust-devastation vocabulary.",
      "scope_note": "The entry must not assume the modern zoological category caterpillar; the Hebrew term belongs to Joel’s locust-devastation vocabulary.",
      "claims": [
        {
          "claim_id": "TSP-CLM-000350",
          "statement": "Caterpillar should be normalized as an archaic locust rendering whose exact entomological identification is uncertain.",
          "asserted_classifications": [
            "ORDINARY_DESCRIPTION"
          ],
          "type_kinds": [],
          "evidence_grade": 1,
          "grade_basis": "G1_EXPLICIT_BIBLICAL_INTERPRETATION",
          "status": "REQUIRES_RECLASSIFICATION",
          "public_wording_class": "CATEGORY_OR_RECLASSIFICATION_NOTICE",
          "scope_limitation": "The entry must not assume the modern zoological category caterpillar; the Hebrew term belongs to Joel’s locust-devastation vocabulary.",
          "strongest_alternative_explanation": null,
          "residual_uncertainty": "No material residual uncertainty beyond the stated scope limitation.",
          "theological_intersections": [
            "OTHER"
          ],
          "scripture_references": [
            {
              "passage_ref_id": "TSP-PAS-000567",
              "osis_start": "Joel.1.4",
              "osis_end": null,
              "display_label": "Joel 1:4",
              "versification_system": "ENGLISH_STANDARD"
            },
            {
              "passage_ref_id": "TSP-PAS-000568",
              "osis_start": "Joel.2.25",
              "osis_end": null,
              "display_label": "Joel 2:25",
              "versification_system": "ENGLISH_STANDARD"
            }
          ],
          "source_citations": [
            {
              "source_id": "TSP-SRC-000126",
              "author_editor": "NET Bible notes",
              "title": "Joel 1:4 locust terminology and translation uncertainty",
              "publication_data": "Accessed/verified 2026-09-20",
              "locator": "https://classic.net.bible.org/verse.php?book=Joe&chapter=1&verse=4",
              "verification_level": "V4_QUOTATION_VERIFIED",
              "source_function": [
                "TEXT_ESTABLISHMENT",
                "HISTORICAL_BACKGROUND"
              ],
              "locator_targets": [
                {
                  "kind": "EXTERNAL_URL",
                  "target": "https://classic.net.bible.org/verse.php?book=Joe&chapter=1&verse=4"
                }
              ]
            }
          ],
          "s8_wording_provenance": null
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "sense_id": "TSP-SNS-000351",
      "label": "Fixed caterpillar = destructive powers code",
      "classification": "SYMBOL",
      "definition": "The legacy list turns the insect’s destructive action into a free-standing symbolic category.",
      "not_always": "The destructive effect is real/contextual, not evidence of an independent spiritual referent.",
      "scope_note": "The destructive effect is real/contextual, not evidence of an independent spiritual referent.",
      "claims": [
        {
          "claim_id": "TSP-CLM-000351",
          "statement": "Scripture does not identify caterpillar/hasil as a fixed symbol of destructive spiritual powers; its primary contexts concern locust devastation.",
          "asserted_classifications": [
            "SYMBOL"
          ],
          "type_kinds": [],
          "evidence_grade": 7,
          "grade_basis": "G7_INSUFFICIENT_BIBLICAL_EVIDENCE",
          "status": "INSUFFICIENT_BIBLICAL_EVIDENCE",
          "public_wording_class": "INSUFFICIENT_BIBLICAL_EVIDENCE",
          "scope_limitation": "The destructive effect is real/contextual, not evidence of an independent spiritual referent.",
          "strongest_alternative_explanation": "Literal destructive insect/locust activity is sufficient to explain the passages.",
          "residual_uncertainty": "No material residual uncertainty beyond the stated scope limitation.",
          "theological_intersections": [
            "OTHER"
          ],
          "scripture_references": [
            {
              "passage_ref_id": "TSP-PAS-000574",
              "osis_start": "Ps.78.46",
              "osis_end": null,
              "display_label": "Psalm 78:46",
              "versification_system": "ENGLISH_STANDARD"
            }
          ],
          "source_citations": [
            {
              "source_id": "TSP-SRC-000124",
              "author_editor": null,
              "title": "Canonical Scripture: TSP-S3 Batch 9 loci, MT/LXX/NA28 with NET/ESV comparison",
              "publication_data": "Accessed/verified 2026-09-20",
              "locator": "https://classic.net.bible.org/; https://www.esv.org/",
              "verification_level": "V4_QUOTATION_VERIFIED",
              "source_function": [
                "CANONICAL_AUTHORITY",
                "TEXT_ESTABLISHMENT"
              ],
              "locator_targets": [
                {
                  "kind": "EXTERNAL_URL",
                  "target": "https://classic.net.bible.org/"
                },
                {
                  "kind": "EXTERNAL_URL",
                  "target": "https://www.esv.org/"
                }
              ]
            }
          ],
          "s8_wording_provenance": null
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "lexeme_mappings": [],
  "canonical_relationships": [],
  "negative_guardrails": []
}