Topical Encyclopedia The term "horse-leech" appears in the Bible in Proverbs 30:15, 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.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. The use of the horse-leech in Proverbs 30:15 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. 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. In the broader biblical narrative, the concept of greed and its consequences is addressed in various passages. For instance, in 1 Timothy 6:10, 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 Luke 12:15, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" . 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. Easton's Bible Dictionary Occurs only in Proverbs 30:15 (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. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A large blood-sucking leech (Haemopsis vorax), of Europe and Northern Africa. It attacks the lips and mouths of horses.2. (n.) A farrier; a veterinary surgeon. Strong's Hebrew 5936. aluqah -- a leech... horse-leech. Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to suck; the leech -- horse-leech. 5935, 5936. aluqah. 5937 . Strong's Numbers. /hebrew/5936.htm - 5k Library The Tenth Commandment Of the Term "Enigma," and of Tropical Modes of Speech. The Bliss of the Glorified A Message from God for Thee The Bed and Its Covering On Proverbs. From the Commentary of St. Hippolytus on Proverbs. A Preacher from the Dead The Shortest of the Seven Cries The Way to God Contentment Thesaurus Horseleech (1 Occurrence)... Syria. Multi-Version Concordance Horseleech (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 30:15 The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. ... /h/horseleech.htm - 7k Horse-leech (1 Occurrence) Horseleach (1 Occurrence) Horseman (13 Occurrences) Leech (1 Occurrence) Nightmonster Night-monster Resources What are the Christian themes in The Horse and His Boy? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is Jesus going to return on a white horse? | GotQuestions.org The Haters: Hobby Horse Christians | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Horse-leech (1 Occurrence)Proverbs 30:15 Subtopics Horse-Leech: General Scriptures Concerning Related Terms |
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