Alukah

Alukah is a Hebrew word that means "horse-leech", a type of leech with many teeth that feeds on the throats of animals.[1] According to biblical scholars, alukah can mean "blood-lusting monster" or vampire. Alukah is first referred to in Proverbs 30 of the Bible (Prov. 30:16).[2]

While this may seem to be a reasonable postulation, the problem with it is that the word "alukah" does not appear in the passage. The transliterated presentation of the word translated as "the barren" is weoser - pronounced wa-O-ser - and it means barren, as in incapable of reproduction, and can be used reflectively regarding oppression or prison - a place or condition without hope or lively conclusion.[3]

The most detailed description of the alukah appears in Sefer Chasidim, where the creature is understood to be a living human being, but can shape-change into a wolf.[4] It can fly (by releasing its long hair) and would eventually die if prevented from feeding on blood for a long enough time. Once dead, a vampire can be prevented from becoming a demon by being buried with its mouth stuffed with earth.[5]

Solomon refers to a female demon named "Alukah" in a riddle he tells in Proverbs . The riddle involves Alukah's ability to curse a womb bearing seed. Historically, Alukah has been closely associated with Lilith or thought to be her direct descendant. The name Alukah may, additionally, merely be another title for Lilith.[6]

R. E. L. Masters describes the 'Alukah as "a Hebrew succubus and vampire derived from Babylonian demonology."[7]

References
  1. Kitto, John (1851). A Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature. Edinburgh: Robert Clark. p. 131.
  2. "Proverbs 30". Holy Bible, New International Version. Biblica, Inc. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  3. Keith, Jenkins (December 16, 2021). "Hebrew Interlinear Old Testament for Android - Google. (n.d.). Hebrew interlinear Bible - apps on Google Play". Google Play Hebrew Interlinear. Retrieved 2021-12-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. "Sefer Hasidim". Princeton University Sefer Hasidim Database (PUSHD). Princeton University. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  5. Dennis, Geoffrey W. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic, And Mysticism. Llewellyn Worldwide. p. 271.
  6. Wayne Biggs, Mark (2010). The Case for Lilith: 23 Biblical Evidences Identifying the Serpent as Adam's First Failed Wife in Genesis (PDF). Samson Books. pp. 15, 97–103.
  7. Masters, R. E. L (1962). Eros and Evil: The Sexual Psychopathology of Witchcraft. The Julian Press. p. 181.
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