Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Meaning: Ramathlehi, meaning "the hill of the jawbone" or "height of Lehi," is a location mentioned in the biblical narrative of Samson, found in the Book of Judges. It is significant for being the site where Samson achieved a remarkable victory over the Philistines using the jawbone of a donkey. Biblical Reference: The account of Ramathlehi is found in Judges 15:14-17. The passage describes how Samson, empowered by the Spirit of the Lord, defeated a thousand Philistine men with the jawbone of a donkey. After the battle, Samson named the place Ramathlehi, commemorating the victory and the unusual weapon he used. Scriptural Context: In Judges 15:14-17 , the narrative unfolds as follows: "When Samson came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and the ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands. He found a 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 he had finished speaking, he threw the jawbone from his hand; and he named that place Ramathlehi." Historical and Theological Significance: Ramathlehi serves as a testament to God's deliverance and empowerment of His chosen judge, Samson, despite his personal flaws and impulsive nature. The event underscores the theme of divine strength overcoming human weakness, a recurring motif in the narrative of the Judges. Samson's victory at Ramathlehi is a vivid illustration of how God can use unconventional means to achieve His purposes. Geographical Considerations: The exact location of Ramathlehi is not definitively known, but it is associated with the region of Lehi, which is believed to be in the territory of Judah, near the Philistine border. The name "Lehi" itself means "jawbone," which adds a layer of meaning to the narrative, as the place and the instrument of victory share the same name. Cultural and Literary Aspects: The account of Ramathlehi is rich in literary elements, including wordplay and irony. The use of a donkey's jawbone, an unlikely weapon, highlights the unexpected ways in which God can bring about deliverance. The narrative also reflects the cyclical pattern of Israel's history during the time of the Judges, where periods of oppression are followed by divine intervention and deliverance through a judge. Lessons and Applications: The account of Ramathlehi encourages believers to trust in God's power and provision, even in seemingly impossible situations. It serves as a reminder that God can use anyone and anything to accomplish His will, and that His strength is made perfect in human weakness. The account also calls for reflection on the importance of faithfulness and reliance on God, as demonstrated by Samson's reliance on divine empowerment in his moment of need. Smith's Bible Dictionary Ramathlehi(hill of the jawbone , or hill of Lehi), the name bestowed by Samson on the scene of his slaughter of the thousand Philistines with the jaw bone, (Judges 15:17) a place by the rock Elam, in western Judah of the Philistines. Easton'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. Thesaurus Ramathlehi (1 Occurrence)... certain identification. See JAWBONE; LEHI. W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance Ramathlehi (1 Occurrence). Judges 15:17 And it came ... /r/ramathlehi.htm - 8k Ramath-lehi (1 Occurrence) Ra'mathite (1 Occurrence) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Ramathlehi (1 Occurrence)Judges 15:17 Subtopics Related Terms |
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