King James Version

What Does Proverbs 30:15 Mean?

Proverbs 30:15 in the King James Version says “The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things...” — study this verse from Proverbs chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Proverbs 30:15 · KJV

Context

13

There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

14

There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

15

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

16

The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.

17

The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. the valley: or, the brook

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough. Agur shifts from corrupt generations to insatiable appetites using the numerical proverb formula. The alukah (עֲלוּקָה, horseleach/leech) may be literal bloodsucker or metaphorical vampire. Its "two daughters"—likely the two suckers or the endless cry "Give! Give!" (hav hav, הַב הַב)—personify ravenous greed.

This introduces the "three...yea four" pattern, a rhetorical device building suspense before revealing the climactic fourth item. The four that are "never satisfied" (lo sava, לֹא שָׂבֵעַ) represent natural forces or conditions exhibiting insatiable desire, illustrating spiritual truth through natural observation. This wisdom method—learning divine principles from creation—reflects Solomon's approach: "he spake of trees...of beasts, and of fowl" (1 Kings 4:33). The leech's insatiable nature mirrors human greed that destroys both possessor and prey.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Numerical proverbs appear throughout ancient Near Eastern literature. Ugaritic texts use the same formula. Amos employs it prophetically: "For three transgressions...and for four" (Amos 1-2). The device creates memorable teaching through rhythmic repetition. In oral cultures before mass literacy, such mnemonic structures preserved wisdom across generations. The specific images Agur selects (grave, womb, earth, fire) would resonate universally across cultures while carrying particular significance in Israelite thought. Each represents a fundamental human experience—death, barrenness, drought, destruction—familiar to agrarian societies dependent on fertility and vulnerable to natural disasters.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern 'daughters of the leech' constantly cry 'Give, give' in consumer culture, addiction patterns, or relational dynamics?
  2. How does the gospel address insatiable human desire—not by denying legitimate longings but by redirecting them toward Christ (John 4:13-14)?
  3. Where in your life do you struggle with the 'never enough' mentality rather than cultivating contentment in God's provision (1 Timothy 6:6-8)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
לַֽעֲלוּקָ֨ה׀1 of 13

“The horseleach”

H5936

the leech

שְׁתֵּ֥י2 of 13

“hath two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

בָנוֹת֮3 of 13

“daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

הַ֥ב4 of 13

“crying Give”

H3051

to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come

הַ֥ב5 of 13

“crying Give”

H3051

to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come

שָׁל֣וֹשׁ6 of 13

“There are three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

הֵ֭נָּה7 of 13
H2007

themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)

לֹ֣א8 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִשְׂבַּ֑עְנָה9 of 13

“things that are never satisfied”

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

אַ֝רְבַּ֗ע10 of 13

“yea four”

H702

four

לֹא11 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אָ֥מְרוּ12 of 13

“things say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֽוֹן׃13 of 13

“not It is enough”

H1952

wealth; by implication, enough

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Proverbs. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Proverbs 30:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Proverbs 30:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 30:21Proverbs 6:16Proverbs 30:29Romans 16:182 Peter 2:13-15John 8:44

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