Topical Encyclopedia The term "jaw-bone" in the Bible is most famously associated with the account of Samson in the Book of Judges. The jaw-bone, specifically of a donkey, is depicted as an instrument of divine deliverance and strength, showcasing God's power working through His chosen servant.Samson and the Jaw-bone of a Donkey The most notable reference to a jaw-bone is found in Judges 15:15-17. In this passage, Samson, a Nazirite set apart to God from birth, finds himself bound and delivered to the Philistines by the men of Judah. Empowered by the Spirit of the Lord, Samson breaks free from his bonds and finds a fresh jaw-bone of a donkey. With it, he strikes down a thousand Philistine men. The Berean Standard Bible records this event as follows: "He found the fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and struck down a thousand men. Then Samson said: 'With the jawbone of a donkey I have piled them into heaps. With the jawbone of a donkey I have slain a thousand men.' And when Samson had finished speaking, he cast the jawbone from his hand; and he named that place Ramath-lehi." (Judges 15:15-17) This miraculous victory underscores the theme of God using the weak and seemingly insignificant to achieve His purposes. The jaw-bone, an unlikely weapon, becomes a symbol of divine empowerment and victory over Israel's enemies. Symbolism and Theological Significance The jaw-bone in this narrative serves as a powerful symbol of God's deliverance. It highlights the principle that God often uses the humble and unexpected to accomplish His will, demonstrating that victory comes not by human might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord (cf. Zechariah 4:6). Samson's triumph with the jaw-bone is a testament to God's sovereignty and His ability to use even the simplest of tools to bring about His plans. Furthermore, the naming of the place "Ramath-lehi," which means "Hill of the Jawbone," serves as a lasting memorial to God's intervention and Samson's faithfulness in delivering Israel from their oppressors. This event is a reminder of the importance of reliance on God's strength rather than human wisdom or conventional weaponry. Cultural and Historical Context In the ancient Near Eastern context, the jaw-bone of a donkey would have been considered an unusual and inadequate weapon for battle. This further emphasizes the miraculous nature of Samson's victory. The use of such an instrument would have been seen as a clear indication of divine intervention, as no ordinary warrior could achieve such a feat with a mere animal bone. The account of Samson and the jaw-bone also reflects the cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that characterizes the Book of Judges. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant people, even when they are unfaithful, and His willingness to raise up deliverers to rescue them from their plight. Conclusion The jaw-bone in the biblical narrative of Samson is a profound illustration of God's power and the unexpected means by which He accomplishes His purposes. It serves as a testament to the truth that God can use anyone and anything to bring about His divine will, encouraging believers to trust in His strength and provision in all circumstances. Easton's Bible Dictionary Of an ass afforded Samson a weapon for the great slaughter of the Philistines (Judges 15.15), in which he slew a thousand men. In verse 19 the Authorized Version reads, "God clave a hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout." This is a mis-translation of the words. The rendering should be as in the Revised Version, "God clave the hollow place that is in Lehi," etc., Lehi (q.v.) being the name of the hill where this conflict was waged, possibly so called because it was in shape like a jaw-bone. Greek 4600. siagon -- a jawbone, by impl. cheek ... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition a jawbone, by impl. cheek NASB Word Usage cheek (2). cheek. Of uncertain derivation; the jaw-bone, ie (by implication ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4600.htm - 6k Strong's Hebrew 7437. Ramath Lechiy -- "height of a jawbone," a city in Judah... Ramath Lechiy. 7437a . "height of a jawbone," a city ... Ramath-lehi From ramah and lchiy; height of a jaw-bone; Ramath-Lechi, a place in Palestine -- Ramath-lehi. ... /hebrew/7437.htm - 5k 7437a. Ramath Lechi -- "height of a jawbone," a city in Judah 3895. lechi -- jaw, cheek Library Fragment Xl. "And He Found the Jaw-Bone of an Ass. ... Good News Praying Saints of the Old Testaments Concerning the Fortitude of Samson, and what Mischiefs He Brought ... Samson who did to Others as they did to Him The Story of Samson, the Strong Man Fragment Xli. This Indicates the Persecution against the Church ... Introduction. The Necessity of the Spirit's Work Samson Conquered Thesaurus Jawbone (3 Occurrences)... jo, jo'-bon (lechi, "cheek (bone)," "jaw (bone)"): In Job 41:2, the Revised Version (British and American) gives "pierce his jaw through ...Jawbone (Judges 15:15 ... /j/jawbone.htm - 10k Jaw-bone (3 Occurrences) Ramathlehi (1 Occurrence) Ramath-lehi (1 Occurrence) Jaw (6 Occurrences) Lehi (5 Occurrences) Teeth (50 Occurrences) Donkey's (7 Occurrences) Cheek (9 Occurrences) Cheekbone (1 Occurrence) Resources Why did God use Adam's rib to create Eve? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is wrong with the allegorical interpretation method? | GotQuestions.org Why did blood and water come out of Jesus' side when He was pierced? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Jaw-bone (3 Occurrences)Judges 15:15 Judges 15:16 Judges 15:17 Subtopics Related Terms |
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