The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:

PROVERBS 30:15KJV
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Proverbs 30:15 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 30:15 mean?

Proverbs 30:15 uses the image of a "horseleach"—a type of leech—to describe something that is never satisfied, always demanding more. The verse introduces a list of things in the world that are never content, setting up a lesson about insatiable desire and the nature of greed.

In this part of Proverbs, Agur is speaking, sharing observations about the world with his listeners. The "horseleach" is pictured as having two daughters who constantly cry out, "Give, give," highlighting a hunger that is never filled. The verse is the start of a poetic list, using vivid imagery to teach about the dangers of endless craving and the reality that some things in life are never truly satisfied.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 30:15

  • "horseleach" (עֲלוּקָה, aluqah): This word refers to a bloodsucking leech. The image is striking because a leech attaches and keeps drawing blood, never seeming to have enough, which fits the theme of unending desire.
  • "Give" (הָב, hav): This word is repeated twice, showing urgency and insistence. The repetition makes the demand feel relentless, emphasizing the never-ending appetite.
  • "satisfied" (שָׂבַע, sava): This word means to be filled or to have enough. The verse points out that some things, like the leech, never reach this state, always wanting more.
  • "enough" (הוֹן, hon): This word means "wealth" or "sufficiency," but here it carries the sense of "It is enough." The verse highlights that certain things never say this, underlining the theme of insatiability.

Why Proverbs 30:15 matters

  • Proverbs 30:15 clears up the idea that some desires or appetites can ever be fully satisfied; it warns that certain cravings are by nature unending.
  • The verse sets the stage for a pattern in Proverbs 30, where Agur lists things grouped in numbers, drawing attention to lessons from the natural world.
  • By using the vivid image of a leech and its daughters, the proverb makes the lesson memorable and concrete, helping readers recognize the dangers of unchecked greed or longing.