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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Horse-leech</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/h/horse-leech.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/proverbs/30-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/h/horse-leech.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Horse-leech</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/h/horseleech.htm" title="Horseleech">◄</a> Horse-leech <a href="/topical/naves/h/horse-leech--general_scriptures_concerning.htm" title="Horse-Leech: General Scriptures Concerning">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#eas" title="Easton's Bible Dictionary">Easton's</a> • <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The term "horse-leech" appears in the Bible in <a href="/proverbs/30-15.htm">Proverbs 30:15</a>, where it is mentioned in a proverbial context: "The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, 'Enough!'" . The horse-leech is understood to be a type of bloodsucking parasite, and its mention in this passage serves as a metaphor for insatiable greed and desire.<br><br>In the ancient Near Eastern context, the horse-leech was likely a familiar creature, known for its voracious appetite for blood. The Hebrew word used here, "alukah," is often translated as "leech," and it is associated with the idea of relentless consumption. The imagery of the leech with "two daughters" named "Give and Give" emphasizes the unending nature of its demands, symbolizing entities or individuals who are never satisfied, always seeking more.<br><br>The use of the horse-leech in <a href="/proverbs/30-15.htm">Proverbs 30:15</a> fits within the broader literary style of the Book of Proverbs, which frequently employs vivid imagery and natural metaphors to convey moral and spiritual truths. The passage is part of the sayings of Agur, a lesser-known sage whose words are included in the collection of wisdom literature. Agur's sayings often focus on the themes of humility, the limits of human understanding, and the dangers of excess.<br><br>From a theological perspective, the mention of the horse-leech serves as a cautionary illustration against the dangers of unchecked desire and greed. It reflects the biblical principle that contentment and moderation are virtues to be cultivated, in contrast to the destructive nature of insatiable appetites. The leech's perpetual cry of "Give" is a stark reminder of the futility and dissatisfaction that accompany a life driven by materialism and selfish ambition.<br><br>In the broader biblical narrative, the concept of greed and its consequences is addressed in various passages. For instance, in <a href="/1_timothy/6-10.htm">1 Timothy 6:10</a>, the Apostle Paul warns, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows" . Similarly, Jesus teaches in <a href="/luke/12-15.htm">Luke 12:15</a>, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" .<br><br>The horse-leech, therefore, stands as a powerful symbol within the biblical text, illustrating the moral and spiritual dangers of a life consumed by greed and the relentless pursuit of more. It serves as a call to believers to seek contentment in God and to cultivate a heart of generosity and selflessness, in contrast to the insatiable demands of the leech.<a name="eas" id="eas"></a><div class="vheading2">Easton's Bible Dictionary</div>Occurs only in <a href="/proverbs/30-15.htm">Proverbs 30:15</a> (Hebrews `alukah); the generic name for any blood-sucking annelid. There are various species in the marshes and pools of Palestine. That here referred to, the Hoemopis, is remarkable for the coarseness of its bite, and is therefore not used for medical purposes. They are spoken of in the East with feelings of aversion and horror, because of their propensity to fasten on the tongue and nostrils of horses when they come to drink out of the pools. The medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis), besides other species of leeches, are common in the waters of Syria. <a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>n.</I>) A large blood-sucking leech (Haemopsis vorax), of Europe and Northern Africa. It attacks the lips and mouths of horses.<p>2. (<I>n.</I>) A farrier; a veterinary surgeon.<a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/5936.htm"><span class="l">5936. aluqah -- a leech</span></a><br><b>...</b> <b>horse</b>-<b>leech</b>. Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to suck; the<br> leech -- <b>horse</b>-<b>leech</b>. 5935, 5936. aluqah. 5937 . Strong's Numbers. <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/5936.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 5k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/watson/the_ten_commandments/2_1_the_tenth_commandment.htm"><span class="l">The Tenth Commandment</span></a> <br><b>...</b> defines covetousness Plus velle quam sat est; to desire more than enough;' to aim<br> at a great estate; to be like the daughter of the <b>horse</b>-<b>leech</b>, crying, Give <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 1 the tenth commandment.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/on_the_holy_trinity/chapter_9_of_the_term_enigma.htm"><span class="l">Of the Term "Enigma," and of Tropical Modes of Speech.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> for here the meaning is patent to all but the very dull; but an enigma is, to explain<br> it briefly, an obscure allegory, as, eg, "The <b>horseleech</b> had three <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 9 of the term enigma.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_62_1916/the_bliss_of_the_glorified.htm"><span class="l">The Bliss of the Glorified</span></a> <br><b>...</b> It is as insatiable as the <b>horse</b>-<b>leech</b>, and for ever cries, "Give, give!" But such<br> hunger was never known in heaven, and never can be, for they are satisfied <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the bliss of the glorified.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_8_1863/a_message_from_god_for.htm"><span class="l">A Message from God for Thee</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Like the <b>horse</b>-<b>leech</b> it saith""Give, give, give." Until you can offer to God<br> a full satisfaction, you cannot give the conscience a quietus. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/a message from god for.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_5_1859/the_bed_and_its_covering.htm"><span class="l">The Bed and Its Covering</span></a> <br><b>...</b> yourself. If you have fixed your affection on the things of this world,<br> that affection is like a <b>horse</b>-<b>leech</b>; it cries, "Give! give <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the bed and its covering.htm</font><p><a href="/library/hippolytus/the_extant_works_and_fragments_of_hippolytus/on_proverbs_from_the_commentary.htm"><span class="l">On Proverbs. From the Commentary of St. Hippolytus on Proverbs.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> latter. [1241] As to the <b>horse</b>-<b>leech</b>. There were three daughters fondly<br> loved by sin"fornication, murder, [1242] and idolatry. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../on proverbs from the commentary.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_3_1857/a_preacher_from_the_dead.htm"><span class="l">A Preacher from the Dead</span></a> <br><b>...</b> It is like the <b>horse</b>-<b>leech</b>; it crieth, "Give, give!" Prove a point to an infidel,<br> and he wants it proved again; let it be as clear as noon day to him from the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/a preacher from the dead.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_24_1878/the_shortest_of_the_seven.htm"><span class="l">The Shortest of the Seven Cries</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The mind of man is like the daughters of the <b>horseleech</b>, which cry for ever, "Give,<br> give." Metaphorically understood, thirst is dissatisfaction, the craving of <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/the shortest of the seven.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_5_1859/the_way_to_god.htm"><span class="l">The Way to God</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Conscience is like the <b>horse</b>-<b>leech</b>"it always cries, "Give, give, give." Conscience<br> is never satisfied with the best works that we can do; it always wants more <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the way to god.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_6_1860/contentment.htm"><span class="l">Contentment</span></a> <br><b>...</b> But yet so it is; men with vast estates, which they are scarcely able to ride over,<br> may have that old <b>horse</b>-<b>leech</b> in their hearts, which always cries, "Give <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/contentment.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/h/horseleech.htm"><span class="l"><b>Horseleech</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Syria. Multi-Version Concordance <b>Horseleech</b> (1 Occurrence). Proverbs<br> 30:15 The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/h/horseleech.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/h/horse-leech.htm"><span class="l"><b>Horse</b>-<b>leech</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>Horse</b>-<b>leech</b>. <b>Horseleech</b>, <b>Horse</b>-<b>leech</b>. Horseman . Easton's Bible Dictionary <b>...</b> <br><b>Horseleech</b>, <b>Horse</b>-<b>leech</b>. Horseman . Reference Bible. <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/h/horse-leech.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/h/horseleach.htm"><span class="l">Horseleach (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> leech"): The word occurs only once, in Proverbs 30:15, the Revised Version margin<br> "vampire." In Arabic `alaqah is a leech of any kind, not only a <b>horse</b>-<b>leech</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/h/horseleach.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/h/horseman.htm"><span class="l">Horseman (13 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/h/horseman.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/l/leech.htm"><span class="l">Leech (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Proverbs 30:15 The <b>horseleech</b> hath two daughters: 'Give, give.' There are three<br> things that are never satisfied, yea, four that say not: 'Enough': (Root in JPS <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/l/leech.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/n/nightmonster.htm"><span class="l">Nightmonster</span></a><br><b>...</b> We do not hesitate on the basis of the evidence to erase "Alukah" (Proverbs 30:15,<br> the Revised Version (British and American) "<b>horse</b>-<b>leech</b>," by some translated <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/n/nightmonster.htm - 17k</font><p><a href="/topical/n/night-monster.htm"><span class="l">Night-monster</span></a><br><b>...</b> We do not hesitate on the basis of the evidence to erase "Alukah" (Proverbs 30:15,<br> the Revised Version (British and American) "<b>horse</b>-<b>leech</b>," by some translated <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/n/night-monster.htm - 17k</font><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Narnia_Horse-and-his-Boy.html">What are the Christian themes in The Horse and His Boy? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-white-horse.html">Why is Jesus going to return on a white horse? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.blog/hobby-horse-Christians.html">The Haters: Hobby Horse Christians | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Horse-leech (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/proverbs/30-15.htm">Proverbs 30:15</a></span><br />The <span class="boldtext">horse-leech</span> hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yes, four things say not, It is enough:<br /><span class="source">(WBS)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/h/horse-leech.htm">Horse-leech</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/h/horse-leech--general_scriptures_concerning.htm">Horse-Leech: General Scriptures Concerning</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/horse-leech.htm">Horse-leech (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/horseleach.htm">Horseleach (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/horseman.htm">Horseman (13 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/leech.htm">Leech (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/nightmonster.htm">Nightmonster</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/night-monster.htm">Night-monster</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/h/horseleech.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Horseleech"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Horseleech" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/naves/h/horse-leech--general_scriptures_concerning.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Horse-Leech: General Scriptures Concerning"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Horse-Leech: General Scriptures Concerning" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>