Judges 15 16

Judges 15:16 kjv

And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.

Judges 15:16 nkjv

Then Samson said: "With the jawbone of a donkey, Heaps upon heaps, With the jawbone of a donkey I have slain a thousand men!"

Judges 15:16 niv

Then Samson said, "With a donkey's jawbone I have made donkeys of them. With a donkey's jawbone I have killed a thousand men."

Judges 15:16 esv

And Samson said, "With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps upon heaps, with the jawbone of a donkey have I struck down a thousand men."

Judges 15:16 nlt

Then Samson said, "With the jawbone of a donkey,
I've piled them in heaps!
With the jawbone of a donkey,
I've killed a thousand men!"

Judges 15 verses

Judges 15 16 Meaning

Judges 15:16 recounts Samson's exultant declaration after single-handedly defeating a thousand Philistine men with an unconventional weapon. It signifies the immense, God-given strength that enabled him to achieve this seemingly impossible feat, emphasizing divine empowerment through a humble, discarded tool. The verse also showcases Samson's use of a clever wordplay, associating the instrument of his victory (the donkey's jawbone) with the overwhelming number of his vanquished foes, described as "heaps upon heaps," further highlighting the miraculous nature of the deliverance.

Judges 15 16 Context

This verse appears after Samson has been captured by the Philistines and delivered into their hands by the men of Judah. The Spirit of the LORD "rushed upon" Samson (Judg 15:14), causing the ropes binding him to dissolve. Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he seized it and, empowered by God, used it to strike down a thousand Philistine men. This act of great deliverance serves as a high point in Samson's individual judgeship, demonstrating the Lord's power working through an unlikely and impulsive vessel. Historically, this occurs during a period of Philistine oppression over Israel, highlighting Yahweh's continuous intervention to rescue His people, even when they themselves might waver.

Judges 15 16 Word analysis

• And Samson said: Standard narrative transition, indicating Samson's immediate, triumphant declaration.
• 'With the jawbone: Hebrew: בִּלְחִי (bilkhiy). The word לְחִי (l'chiy) refers to the jaw or cheekbone, or the jawbone of an animal. This highlights the crude, improvised nature of the weapon, emphasizing that Samson's strength was not from superior weaponry but from divine empowerment.
• of a donkey: Hebrew: הַחֲמוֹר (hachamor). Specifically a male ass or donkey. The "fresh" aspect (from Judg 15:15) implies it still had tissue, making it perhaps less brittle, but still a lowly, non-military implement.
• heaps upon heaps: Hebrew: חֲמוֹר חֲמוֹרָתָיִם (chamor chamorathayim). This is the key wordplay. חֲמוֹר (chamor) means "donkey," while חֲמוֹרָה (chamorah) is related and can mean a "heap" or "pile." The doubling, חֲמוֹרָתַיִם (chamorathayim), uses the dual ending to signify "double heaps" or an overwhelming amount. This poetic pun links the "donkey" (weapon) with "heaps" (of Philistine bodies), demonstrating Samson's quick wit alongside his physical might, celebrating a victory where the very instrument reflects the outcome.
• with the jawbone of a donkey: A deliberate repetition for emphasis, reinforcing the astonishing nature of the victory through such a contemptible weapon. It underscores the divine irony.
• I have slain a thousand men: Hebrew: אֶלֶף אִישׁ הִכֵּיתִי (elef ish hiketi). "A thousand men" indicates a massive and decisive victory against overwhelming odds, a hyperbolic or exact figure that immediately signifies the extraordinary nature of the feat, possible only through divine intervention. Samson explicitly takes credit, showcasing his self-confidence, though the true source of power was the Spirit of the LORD.

Words-group analysis

• 'With the jawbone of a donkey... with the jawbone of a donkey': This repetition functions as a refrain, underscoring the weapon's humility and the miraculousness of the victory. It sets up the brilliant wordplay that follows, where the 'donkey' becomes the focal point of the triumphant declaration. It's an instance of powerful literary irony in the biblical text.
• 'heaps upon heaps, with the jawbone of a donkey': This phrase reveals the linguistic genius within the Hebrew narrative. The phonetic similarity between "donkey" (חֲמוֹר, chamor) and "heap" (חֲמוֹרָה, chamorah) is exploited by Samson for a triumphant and memorable poetic boast. It creates a vivid mental image: bodies piled high, as if literally produced by the donkey weapon, demonstrating that the very tool itself symbolized the magnitude of his divine triumph.

Judges 15 16 Bonus section

The self-glorifying tone of Samson's pronouncement (taking direct credit, "I have slain") stands in contrast to the hymns of other biblical deliverers (like Deborah or Moses, who attributed full glory to Yahweh). This foreshadows Samson's continued struggle with humility and his reliance on divine power without necessarily acknowledging its source perfectly. Despite his personal pride, the very nature of his improvised weapon serves as an indirect yet potent polemic against Philistine deities and their military might; their advanced weapons were useless against Yahweh's raw power channeled through an ordinary bone. The choice of a donkey jawbone might also subtly allude to the animal's commonality and its symbolic role as a burden-bearer, suggesting the heavy burden Samson took upon himself or the instrument's humble nature.

Judges 15 16 Commentary

Judges 15:16 is Samson's personal victory anthem, highlighting a moment of peak divine empowerment in his narrative. Despite Samson's often flawed character and human weaknesses, this verse testifies unequivocally to God's ability to use the most unexpected means and instruments—a simple jawbone, an impetuous man—to deliver His people and demonstrate His absolute sovereignty. The brilliant wordplay on "donkey" and "heaps" underscores the miraculous irony: God's strength is made perfect in weakness, turning a mundane object into an instrument of colossal triumph. This moment serves as a powerful reminder that victory is not achieved by conventional power or might, but by the Spirit of the Lord. For example, believers today, like Samson, are called to rely not on their own abilities or resources, but on God's power working through them, no matter how insignificant their own means might seem in the face of daunting challenges.