Jump to: Hitchcock's • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Meaning: Ramath-lehi, meaning "the height of Lehi" or "the hill of the jawbone," is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Judges. It is associated with one of the most famous exploits of Samson, a judge of Israel. Biblical References: The primary reference to Ramath-lehi is found in Judges 15:17. The passage describes an event during the time of the judges when Samson, empowered by the Spirit of the Lord, defeated a thousand Philistines using the jawbone of a donkey. After this victory, Samson named the place Ramath-lehi. The Berean Standard Bible states: "When he had finished speaking, he threw the jawbone from his hand; and he named that place Ramath-lehi." Historical and Cultural Context: The account of Ramath-lehi is set during the period of the judges, a time characterized by cycles of Israelite disobedience, oppression by neighboring peoples, cries for deliverance, and the rise of judges who would lead and deliver Israel. Samson, one of these judges, was known for his extraordinary strength, which was a gift from God contingent upon his Nazirite vow. The Philistines were a significant threat to Israel during this period, and Samson's actions at Ramath-lehi were part of a larger narrative of conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines. The use of the jawbone as a weapon highlights the unconventional means by which God delivered His people, emphasizing His power and sovereignty. Theological Significance: Ramath-lehi serves as a testament to God's deliverance and the empowerment of His chosen leaders. Samson's victory with the jawbone underscores the theme of divine strength overcoming human weakness. It also illustrates the concept of God using flawed individuals to achieve His purposes, as Samson's life was marked by both great feats and personal failings. The naming of the place Ramath-lehi is significant in that it commemorates God's intervention and victory over the Philistines. It serves as a reminder of the miraculous nature of God's deliverance and the importance of acknowledging His hand in the victories of His people. Related Themes and Concepts: · Divine Empowerment: The account of Ramath-lehi highlights the theme of God empowering individuals to accomplish His will, often in unexpected ways. · Judges of Israel: Samson's role as a judge is part of the broader narrative of the judges, who were raised up by God to deliver Israel from oppression. · Conflict with the Philistines: The ongoing struggle between Israel and the Philistines is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, with Ramath-lehi being one of the notable battlegrounds. · Symbolism of the Jawbone: The jawbone, an unlikely weapon, symbolizes God's ability to use the ordinary for extraordinary purposes. Geographical Considerations: The exact location of Ramath-lehi is not definitively known, but it is believed to be in the region of Judah, near the territory of the Philistines. The geographical setting underscores the tension between the Israelites and their Philistine neighbors, as well as the strategic importance of the area during the time of the judges. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary Ramath-LehiEaston's Bible Dictionary Elevation of Lehi, or the jawbone height; i.e., the Ramah of Lehi (Judges 15:15-17). The phrase "in the jaw," ver. 19, Authorized Version, is in the margin, also in the Revised Version, "in Lehi." Here Samson slew a thousand Philistines with a jawbone. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia RAMATH-LEHIra'-math-le'-hi (ramath lechi, "the hill" or "height of Lehi"; Anairesis siagonos): So the place is said to have been called where Samson threw away the jaw-bone of an ass, with which he had slain 1,000 Philistines (Judges 15:17). The Septuagint seems to have supposed that the name referred to the "heaving" or throwing up of the jaw-bone. The Hebrew, however, corresponds to the form used in other placenames, such as Ramath-mizpeh, and must be read as "Ramah of Lehi." The name Lehi may have been given because of some real or imagined likeness in the place to the shape of a jaw-bone (Judges 15:9, 14, 19). It may have been in Wady es-Sarar, not far from Zorah and Timnath; but the available data do not permit of certain identification. Strong's Hebrew 7437. Ramath Lechiy -- "height of a jawbone," a city in Judah... "height of a jawbone," a city in Judah. Transliteration: Ramath Lechiy Phonetic Spelling: (raw'-math lekh'-ee) Short Definition: Ramath-lehi. Ramath-lehi ... /hebrew/7437.htm - 5k 7437a. Ramath Lechi -- "height of a jawbone," a city in Judah Library Praying Saints of the Old Testaments Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ... Thesaurus Ramathlehi (1 Occurrence)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RAMATH-LEHI. ra ... See JAWBONE; LEHI. W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance Ramathlehi (1 Occurrence). Judges ... /r/ramathlehi.htm - 8k Ramath-lehi (1 Occurrence) Jawbone (3 Occurrences) Lehi (5 Occurrences) Jaw (6 Occurrences) Jaw-bone (3 Occurrences) Finisheth (13 Occurrences) Teeth (50 Occurrences) Ramath (10 Occurrences) Resources Who are the Three Nephites in Mormonism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the importance of Mizpah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Ramath-lehi (1 Occurrence)Judges 15:17 Subtopics Ramath-Lehi: The Place where Samson Killed One-Thousand Philistines With the Jawbone of a Donkey Related Terms |