Proverbs 30:15 - “The leach has two daughters: ‘Give, give.’ “There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don’t say, ‘Enough:’
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Proverbs 30:15" mean?
Proverbs 30:15 is a proverb about insatiable desires. Let's break it down:
"The leach has two daughters: ‘Give, give.’": A leach (or leech) is a blood-sucking worm. The proverb uses this imagery to represent something that is constantly demanding and never satisfied. The "two daughters" of the leach symbolize its unrelenting hunger, constantly crying out "Give, give!" This sets the stage for the rest of the verse.
"There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don’t say, ‘Enough:’": This introduces a numerical proverb, a common style in Proverbs (and other ancient Near Eastern literature). The "three... four" structure is not meant to be a precise count, but rather a way to emphasize a group of things that share a common characteristic – in this case, insatiability. The phrase "don't say, 'Enough'" means they never feel they have had their fill.
Meaning:
The verse means that certain desires are never fully satisfied; they always want more. The leech serves as a visual metaphor for this relentless craving. The specific "three... four" things that follow in the subsequent verses (Proverbs 30:16) offer examples of these insatiable desires:
The grave (or Sheol): Always accepting the dead.
The barren womb: Always longing for children.
The earth that is never satisfied with water: Always needing more rain.
Fire: Always consuming fuel and wanting more.
In essence, the proverb warns against the dangers of unchecked desires. It highlights that constantly seeking more without contentment can lead to a life of dissatisfaction and potentially harmful actions. It encourages readers to consider what is truly valuable and to find contentment with what they have. It’s a call to self-awareness and moderation.
Proverbs 30:15 - “The leach has two daughters: ‘Give, give.’ “There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don’t say, ‘Enough:’
What does "Proverbs 30:15" mean?
Proverbs 30:15 is a proverb about insatiable desires. Let's break it down:
"The leach has two daughters: ‘Give, give.’": A leach (or leech) is a blood-sucking worm. The proverb uses this imagery to represent something that is constantly demanding and never satisfied. The "two daughters" of the leach symbolize its unrelenting hunger, constantly crying out "Give, give!" This sets the stage for the rest of the verse.
"There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don’t say, ‘Enough:’": This introduces a numerical proverb, a common style in Proverbs (and other ancient Near Eastern literature). The "three... four" structure is not meant to be a precise count, but rather a way to emphasize a group of things that share a common characteristic – in this case, insatiability. The phrase "don't say, 'Enough'" means they never feel they have had their fill.
Meaning:
The verse means that certain desires are never fully satisfied; they always want more. The leech serves as a visual metaphor for this relentless craving. The specific "three... four" things that follow in the subsequent verses (Proverbs 30:16) offer examples of these insatiable desires:
The grave (or Sheol): Always accepting the dead.
The barren womb: Always longing for children.
The earth that is never satisfied with water: Always needing more rain.
Fire: Always consuming fuel and wanting more.
In essence, the proverb warns against the dangers of unchecked desires. It highlights that constantly seeking more without contentment can lead to a life of dissatisfaction and potentially harmful actions. It encourages readers to consider what is truly valuable and to find contentment with what they have. It’s a call to self-awareness and moderation.