Judges 15 17

Judges 15:17 kjv

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi.

Judges 15:17 nkjv

And so it was, when he had finished speaking, that he threw the jawbone from his hand, and called that place Ramath Lehi.

Judges 15:17 niv

When he finished speaking, he threw away the jawbone; and the place was called Ramath Lehi.

Judges 15:17 esv

As soon as he had finished speaking, he threw away the jawbone out of his hand. And that place was called Ramath-lehi.

Judges 15:17 nlt

When he finished his boasting, he threw away the jawbone; and the place was named Jawbone Hill.

Judges 15 verses

Judges 15 17 Meaning

Judges 15:17 signifies the conclusive act of Samson's extraordinary victory over a thousand Philistines using the jawbone of a donkey. Having declared his triumph in a spontaneous song, Samson discards the instrument of war, marking the end of the immediate conflict. He then memorializes the event by naming the geographical location "Ramath-lehi," which means "Jawbone Hill" or "Height of the Jawbone," establishing a lasting testament to God's unparalleled power manifested through such an unconventional means.

Judges 15 17 Context

Judges 15:17 follows immediately after Samson's extraordinary feat of slaughtering a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey, a direct response to the Philistines seeking to capture him after he had avenged himself for the burning of his wife and her father (Jdg 15:6-8). The verse brings closure to this particular episode of conflict. Samson had just delivered a triumphal, albeit somewhat self-congratulatory, song (Jdg 15:16). This event takes place during the tumultuous period of the Judges in Israel's history, a time characterized by cyclical disobedience, oppression by surrounding nations (in this case, the Philistines), and God raising up deliverers to bring temporary peace. The naming of the place is a common ancient Near Eastern practice to commemorate significant events or divine interventions, marking the landscape with the memory of the supernatural deliverance.

Judges 15 17 Word analysis

• And it came to pass: A common biblical transition phrase (Hebrew: וַיְהִי, vayhi), signaling the progression of the narrative. It emphasizes the historical continuity of the events described.
• when he had made an end of speaking: Refers specifically to Samson finishing his boastful song of triumph recorded in the preceding verse (Jdg 15:16). It signifies the completion of his verbal declaration before his next physical action.
• that he cast away: Implies the discarding or throwing down of the jawbone. This act marks the completion of its purpose as a weapon. It is no longer needed after the victory is secured.
• the jawbone: Refers to the donkey's jawbone (לְחִי, lekhi) he used to achieve the victory. It was an unconventional, seemingly contemptible weapon, highlighting the divine, rather than human, source of power in his triumph.
• out of his hand: Reinforces the act of letting go of the jawbone, signifying the cessation of active battle and the relief from its burden.
• and called that place: Reflects a common ancient Near Eastern practice of naming locations to commemorate significant events, personages, or divine encounters. These names served as mnemonic devices for future generations.
• Ramath-lehi: (רָמַת לֶחִי, Rāmāth Leḥî) A compound Hebrew name.
  • Ramath (רָמַת): Means "height" or "high place." It suggests the geographical feature of the location, possibly a prominent hill or ridge.
  • Lehi (לֶחִי): Means "jawbone," echoing the weapon used. The name collectively translates to "Jawbone Hill" or "Height of the Jawbone." This name served as a lasting memorial to Samson's God-given, albeit unconventionally achieved, victory. The place itself became a witness to the Lord's hand.

Judges 15 17 Bonus section

The establishment of "Ramath-lehi" served as an ongoing testimony, not only to Samson's strength but primarily to God's enablement. The seemingly "weak" or "foolish" instrument (a mere jawbone) highlights a recurring biblical theme: God often chooses humble, despised, or unconventional means to achieve His great purposes, thereby ensuring that the glory redounds to Him alone and not to human ingenuity or might. This naming foreshadows God's ways in many future deliverances and divine operations, illustrating His power in working through unlikely agents and instruments.

Judges 15 17 Commentary

Judges 15:17 concisely concludes one of Samson's most iconic exploits, the slaughter of a thousand Philistines with a donkey's jawbone. The act of discarding the jawbone, the very instrument of his immense, God-empowered strength in that moment, marks a clear ending to the physical conflict. This simple gesture underlines that the battle was truly over, and the Philistine threat, for now, had been decisively dealt with. The subsequent naming of the location as Ramath-lehi transforms a specific geographical spot into a living monument. This name was not just a descriptive label but a declarative statement, proclaiming that God's power could manifest through the most humble and improbable means (an animal's jawbone), achieving victory against overwhelming odds. It was a tangible reminder, visible to any who passed by, of the divine intervention. While Samson’s song (v.16) has a human boastful element, the renaming of the place served to give lasting memory to the supernatural strength God had provided.