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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Judges 15  › Judges 15:17

Judges 15:17

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Judges 15:17 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

And when Samson had finished speaking, he cast the jawbone from his hand; and he named that place Ramath-lehi.

King James Version 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 Ramath-lehi.

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

And having said these words, he let the mouth-bone go out of his hand; so that place was named Ramath-lehi.

Free Bible Version FBV

After Samson had finished his speech, he threw away the jawbone, and he named the place Hill of the Jawbone.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And when he had left speaking, hee cast away the iawebone out of his hande, and called that place, Ramath-Lehi.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And it cometh to pass when he finisheth speaking, that he casteth away the jaw-bone out of his hand, and calleth that place Ramath-Lehi;

World English Bible WEB

When he had finished speaking, he threw the jawbone out of his hand; and that place was called Ramath Lehi.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And it came to pass when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jaw-bone out of his hand, and called that place Ramath-lehi.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And when he had ended these words singing, he threw the jawbone out of his hand, and called the name of that place Ramathlechi, which is interpreted the lifting up of the jawbone.

Translation for Translators T4T

When he finished killing those men, he threw the jawbone away, and later that place was called Jawbone Hill.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 15:17

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Judges 15:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַֽ/יְהִי֙ כְּ/כַלֹּת֣/וֹ לְ/דַבֵּ֔ר וַ/יַּשְׁלֵ֥ךְ הַ/לְּחִ֖י מִ/יָּד֑/וֹ וַ/יִּקְרָ֛א לַ/מָּק֥וֹם הַ/ה֖וּא רָ֥מַת לֶֽחִי
וַֽ/יְהִי֙ hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
כְּ/כַלֹּת֣/וֹ kâlâh H3615 to end Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
לְ/דַבֵּ֔ר dâbar H1696 to speak Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
וַ/יַּשְׁלֵ֥ךְ shâlak H7993 to throw Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/לְּחִ֖י lᵉchîy H3895 jaw Art | N-cs
מִ/יָּד֑/וֹ yâd H3027 hand Prep | N-cs | Suff
וַ/יִּקְרָ֛א qârâʼ H7121 to call Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לַ/מָּק֥וֹם mâqôwm H4725 place Prep | N-ms
הַ/ה֖וּא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Art | Pron
רָ֥מַת Râmath Lechîy H7437 Ramath-lehi N-proper
לֶֽחִי Râmath Lechîy H7437 Ramath-lehi N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 15:17

וַֽ/יְהִי֙ hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
כְּ/כַלֹּת֣/וֹ kâlâh H3615 "to end" Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
This Hebrew word means to finish or end something, like completing a task or using up a resource, as seen in Genesis 2:2 where God finished creating the heavens and earth.
Definition: : finish 1) to accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be at an end 1a2) to be completed, be finished 1a3) to be accomplished, be fulfilled 1a4) to be determined, be plotted (bad sense) 1a5) to be spent, be used up 1a6) to waste away, be exhausted, fail 1a7) to come to an end, vanish, perish, be destroyed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, bring to an end, finish 1b2) to complete (a period of time) 1b3) to finish (doing a thing) 1b4) to make an end, end 1b5) to accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass 1b6) to accomplish, determine (in thought) 1b7) to put an end to, cause to cease 1b8) to cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend 1b9) to destroy, exterminate 1c) (Pual) to be finished, be ended, be completed
Usage: Occurs in 199 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste. See also: Genesis 2:1; 2 Chronicles 29:17; Psalms 18:38.
לְ/דַבֵּ֔ר dâbar H1696 "to speak" Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
וַ/יַּשְׁלֵ֥ךְ shâlak H7993 "to throw" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
To throw or cast away is the meaning of this Hebrew verb. It is used in various contexts, including throwing lots or casting out something unwanted. The word appears in stories like Jonah being thrown into the sea.
Definition: 1) to throw, cast, hurl, fling 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to throw, cast, throw away, cast off, shed, cast down 1a2) to cast (lots) (fig) 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be thrown, be cast 1b2) to be cast forth or out 1b3) to be cast down 1b4) to be cast (metaph)
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: adventure, cast (away, down, forth, off, out), hurl, pluck, throw. See also: Genesis 21:15; Nehemiah 9:11; Psalms 2:3.
הַ/לְּחִ֖י lᵉchîy H3895 "jaw" Art | N-cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the jaw or cheek, often referring to the jawbone of an animal. It appears in the story of Samson, who used a donkey's jawbone to defeat 1000 men. The word is also used to describe the jawbone of animals in general.
Definition: 1) jaw, cheek 1a) jaw, jawbone (of animal) 1b) cheek (of man)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: cheek (bone), jaw (bone). See also: Deuteronomy 18:3; Song of Solomon 1:10; Psalms 3:8.
מִ/יָּד֑/וֹ yâd H3027 "hand" Prep | N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
וַ/יִּקְרָ֛א qârâʼ H7121 "to call" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Definition: : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
Usage: Occurs in 689 OT verses. KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 49:1; Judges 1:26.
לַ/מָּק֥וֹם mâqôwm H4725 "place" Prep | N-ms
Maqom means a place or location, like a city or a region. It can also refer to a condition of the body or mind. This term is used to describe a wide range of locations and situations.
Definition: 1) standing place, place 1a) standing place, station, post, office 1b) place, place of human abode 1c) city, land, region 1d) place, locality, spot 1e) space, room, distance 1f) region, quarter, direction 1g) give place to, instead of
Usage: Occurs in 379 OT verses. KJV: country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 1:9; Deuteronomy 12:3; 1 Kings 20:24.
הַ/ה֖וּא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
רָ֥מַת Râmath Lechîy H7437 "Ramath-lehi" N-proper
Ramath-lehi means height of a jawbone, it was named by Samson after he killed 1000 Philistines with a jawbone. This place is near the border of the Philistines in northern Judah.
Definition: § Ramath-lehi = "height of a jawbone" a place by the rock Elam in northern Judah near the border of the Philistines; named by Samson after his slaughter of the 1000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Ramath-lehi. See also: Judges 15:17.
לֶֽחִי Râmath Lechîy H7437 "Ramath-lehi" N-proper
Ramath-lehi means height of a jawbone, it was named by Samson after he killed 1000 Philistines with a jawbone. This place is near the border of the Philistines in northern Judah.
Definition: § Ramath-lehi = "height of a jawbone" a place by the rock Elam in northern Judah near the border of the Philistines; named by Samson after his slaughter of the 1000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Ramath-lehi. See also: Judges 15:17.

Study Notes — Judges 15:17

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Judges 15:17 Summary

[This verse shows that after Samson finished using the jawbone to defeat the Philistines, he cast it aside, recognizing that the power came from God, not the jawbone itself (Judges 13:25). Samson then named the place where this happened 'Ramath-lehi', or 'hill of the jawbone', to commemorate what God had done through him, just like Abraham named a place after God's provision in Genesis 22:14. This reminds us that we should always give God the glory for what He accomplishes through us, and not take credit for ourselves, as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:29-31.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of Samson casting the jawbone from his hand?

This act symbolizes the completion of God's work through Samson, as he had finished speaking and the jawbone had served its purpose, much like Moses laying down his staff after performing miracles in Exodus 4:2-4 and Numbers 20:11.

Why did Samson name the place Ramath-lehi?

The name Ramath-lehi, meaning 'hill of the jawbone', commemorates the site where God empowered Samson to defeat the Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey, demonstrating God's power and provision, as seen in other biblical accounts like Genesis 22:14 where Abraham named a place after God's provision.

Is this verse implying that Samson's strength came from the jawbone?

No, the Bible makes it clear that Samson's strength came from God, as stated in Judges 13:25 and Judges 14:6, and the jawbone was merely an instrument God used to accomplish His will through Samson.

What can we learn from Samson's actions in this verse?

We can learn that after God accomplishes something through us, we should give Him the glory and recognize that the power comes from Him, not from our own abilities or tools, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:29-31 where Paul emphasizes that our strength and wisdom come from God alone.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that God has empowered me to accomplish things beyond my own strength, and how can I give Him the glory for those accomplishments?
  2. In what ways can I, like Samson, use the 'jawbone' that God has given me to serve and glorify Him?
  3. How can I balance confidence in God's power with humility, recognizing that the power comes from Him and not from myself?
  4. What are some 'jawbones' in my life that I need to lay down, recognizing that God's work is complete and it's time to move on to the next thing He has for me?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 15:17

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking,.... Of delivering out the above song, which very probably consisted of much more than what is here expressed: that he cast away the jawbone

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 15:17

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. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 15:17

And by contraction, Lehi, , it being usual so to contract proper names; as Salem is put for Jerusalem, ; Sheba for Beer-sheba, ; and many other.

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 15:17

Judges 15:17 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.Ver. 17. And called that place Ramathlehi.] We must likewise set up marks and monuments of God’ s signal mercies, to preserve the memory of them, which else will soon be moth eaten. Abraham did so by his Jehovahjireh, Moses by his Jehovahnissi, Samuel by his Ebenezer, Jehoshaphat by his Berachah, the Jews in Esther by their Purim, &c.

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 15:17

(17) Ramath-lehi.—The marginal rendering, “the lifting up of the jawbone” is found in the LXX. and Vulg., and derives Ramath from the verb rûm,” to be high.” The more natural explanation is, “the hill of Lehi.” The other marginal rendering, “the casting away of the jawbone,” derives Ramath from the verb ramah, “he cast.” This would require the form Remath.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 15:17

Verse 17. Ramath-lehi.] The lifting up or casting away of the jaw-bone. Lehi was the name of the place before, Ramath was now added to it here; he lifted up the jaw-bone against his enemies, and slew them.

Cambridge Bible on Judges 15:17

17. was called] The text here and in Judges 15:19 is to be preferred to the marg. Ramath-lehi] i.e. the height of Lehi, cf. Ramath-mizpeh Joshua 13:26, Ramoth-gilead etc. Popular etymology, however, gave it the sense, casting away of the jawbone.

Barnes' Notes on Judges 15:17

Ramath-lehi - Either the “height or hill of Lehi,” or, “of the jaw-bone;” or, as in the margin, “the crestlag away of the jaw-bone,” with allusion to Samson casting it out of his hand, when he had finished his war-song.

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 15:17

17. Called that place Ramath-lehi — The name means hill or height of the jawbone, and seems to have originated with this triumph of Samson. In this case the name Lehi is used proleptically in Judges 15:9.
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