In Ancient Hebrew Aluka meant leech (Haemopsis Sanguisuga). In Proverbs 30:15, it’s translated to horseleech. In Arabic (Aluka) means to hang to. In Syria and Israel there is a leech that attacks to a horses neck while it drinks from a stream.
The Aluka is known for attaching to the skin and not being removable until death. Some Bible scholars in the 19th century offered the interpretation of Aluka being a mythological vampire creature a Hebrew version of Arabia’s ghoul, which sucked blood and dined on the flesh of the dead. Contemporary scholars don’t believe this as a viable option.
Mari Wells 