“The leech has two daughters, ‘Give,’ ‘Give.’ There are three things that will not be satisfied, four that will not say, ‘Enough.’” (v.15) is spoken by Agur, son of Jakeh, whose sayings are recorded in Proverbs 30. Though the book of Proverbs is largely attributed to King Solomon (who reigned around 970-931 BC), Proverbs 30 highlights additional wisdom written or compiled by other authors such as Agur. Here, the imagery of a “leech” and its daughters powerfully displays the insatiable nature of greed or selfish desire (Ecclesiastes 5:10), warning that craving more and more can lead the human heart away from contentment and trust in God. The repetition of “Give,”“Give” underscores the endless cycle of want for those who allow lust for wealth or power to control them.
In referring to “there are three things that will not be satisfied, four that will not say, ‘Enough.’” (v.15), the passage directs our attention to various aspects of creation and life that never reach a point of complete fulfillment—just as human appetite for excess can be never-ending. Like a fire that keeps consuming fuel or thirst that constantly begs for water (Proverbs 30:16), the illustration cautions believers that seeking satisfaction solely in worldly gain will always come up empty. The broader scriptural theme is that only God can truly fill and satisfy the heart (Psalm 107:9). In the New Testament, Jesus teaches that He is the Bread of Life (John 6:35), the One who fulfills our deepest needs.
This verse’s caution against craving more and more is timeless, reminding us all to evaluate whether our desires align with God’s will. It teaches that an earthly pursuit, when not submitted to the Lord, can lead to the bondage of incessant and unquenchable hunger. Importantly, the wisdom of Agur encourages believers to remain alert to these unchecked impulses and instead cultivate hearts of gratitude, humility, and reliance on God’s provision (Philippians 4:11-13).
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Proverbs 30:15 meaning
“The leech has two daughters, ‘Give,’ ‘Give.’ There are three things that will not be satisfied, four that will not say, ‘Enough.’” (v.15) is spoken by Agur, son of Jakeh, whose sayings are recorded in Proverbs 30. Though the book of Proverbs is largely attributed to King Solomon (who reigned around 970-931 BC), Proverbs 30 highlights additional wisdom written or compiled by other authors such as Agur. Here, the imagery of a “leech” and its daughters powerfully displays the insatiable nature of greed or selfish desire (Ecclesiastes 5:10), warning that craving more and more can lead the human heart away from contentment and trust in God. The repetition of “Give,” “Give” underscores the endless cycle of want for those who allow lust for wealth or power to control them.
In referring to “there are three things that will not be satisfied, four that will not say, ‘Enough.’” (v.15), the passage directs our attention to various aspects of creation and life that never reach a point of complete fulfillment—just as human appetite for excess can be never-ending. Like a fire that keeps consuming fuel or thirst that constantly begs for water (Proverbs 30:16), the illustration cautions believers that seeking satisfaction solely in worldly gain will always come up empty. The broader scriptural theme is that only God can truly fill and satisfy the heart (Psalm 107:9). In the New Testament, Jesus teaches that He is the Bread of Life (John 6:35), the One who fulfills our deepest needs.
This verse’s caution against craving more and more is timeless, reminding us all to evaluate whether our desires align with God’s will. It teaches that an earthly pursuit, when not submitted to the Lord, can lead to the bondage of incessant and unquenchable hunger. Importantly, the wisdom of Agur encourages believers to remain alert to these unchecked impulses and instead cultivate hearts of gratitude, humility, and reliance on God’s provision (Philippians 4:11-13).