עֲלוּקָה (a.lu.qah)
a.lu.qah
leech
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun aluqah refers directly to a leech, a small aquatic creature known for attaching itself to hosts and drawing blood. In the Bible, this word appears only once, in Proverbs 30:15, where it serves as a vivid metaphor for insatiable greed.
The verse describes the leech as having two daughters who constantly cry out, "Give, give." This imagery highlights an endless, demanding appetite that is never satisfied. By using such a specific and unappealing creature, the text emphasizes the repulsive nature of those who take without ever giving back.
Because the word occurs in wisdom literature, it functions as a warning against selfishness. The leech’s behavior illustrates how greed can consume a person, leaving them perpetually unsatisfied no matter how much they acquire. This single usage provides a striking picture of human avarice that remains recognizable today.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word aluqah appears only once in Scripture, yet it leaves a lasting impression. It describes a leech, an animal known for attaching itself to a host and drawing blood until none remains. In Proverbs 30:15, the writer uses this creature to illustrate a spirit of greed that is never satisfied. The image is stark: two daughters constantly crying out, "Give, give," representing an appetite that demands more without ever offering thanks or return.
This metaphor invites us to examine our own hearts. Do we find ourselves in a cycle of wanting more, regardless of what we already possess? The text suggests that such insatiable desire is not only selfish but also depleting. It consumes the giver and corrupts the receiver. Recognizing this pattern is the first step toward breaking it.
Instead of chasing after endless acquisition, we can look to a different source of satisfaction. True contentment comes from trusting in God's provision rather than hoarding resources for ourselves. When we shift our focus from taking to giving, we find freedom from the grip of greed. This change brings peace and aligns our lives with wisdom.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [belong] to/ a leech1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַֽ/עֲלוּקָ֨ה\׀1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 30:15
“The leech has two daughters: ‘Give, give.’ “There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don’t say, ‘Enough!’:
This verse uses the leech as a central metaphor for insatiable greed, highlighting the repetitive demand 'Give, give' to show an appetite that is never satisfied.