1:6 my land. Personal pronouns are used throughout the book and point to the covenant relationship that binds the Lord, not only to the land and its vines and fig trees, but also to His people (1:7; 2:13, 14, 17, 18, 23, 26, 27; 3:2, 3, 17).

powerful . . . lioness. The locusts are compared to an invading nation that has the consuming passion of a lion (cf. 2:4–9; Rev. 9:7–9). Locusts and armies were often compared in ancient times. Mythical literature from the ancient city of Ugarit likens a large army to locusts (cf. Judg. 6:5; Prov. 30:27; Jer. 51:14, 27; Nah. 3:15–17).