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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when he had made an end {H3615} of speaking {H1696}, that he cast away {H7993} the jawbone {H3895} out of his hand {H3027}, and called {H7121} that place {H4725} Ramathlehi {H7437}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After he finished speaking he threw the jawbone away, and the place came to be called Ramat-Lechi [jawbone heights].

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 15:17 captures the immediate aftermath of Samson's monumental victory over the Philistines, where he, empowered by the Spirit of the Lord, used a donkey's jawbone to slay a thousand men. Following his triumphant poetic declaration, this verse records Samson's symbolic act of discarding the extraordinary instrument of war and, in a significant cultural gesture, naming the very place of his victory "Ramathlehi," which means "Jawbone Height," thereby establishing an enduring memorial to God's astounding intervention and the decisive, divinely-enabled triumph achieved through the most unlikely of means.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the concluding action of Samson's dramatic and divinely-empowered confrontation with the Philistines, detailed specifically in [Judges 15:9-19](/judges/15-9-19 "Judges 15:9-19 - Samson's Victory and Thirst"). The narrative immediately preceding this verse describes Samson's binding by his own people and his subsequent delivery to the Philistines. However, the Spirit of the Lord comes mightily upon him, enabling him to snap his bonds as if they were flax and to find a fresh jawbone of a donkey. With this improbable weapon, he slays a thousand Philistines in an overwhelming display of supernatural strength, culminating in his boastful, yet God-acknowledging, poem in [Judges 15:16](/judges/15-16 "Judges 15:16 - Samson's Victory Song"). Judges 15:17 then marks the physical cessation of the battle, as Samson discards the now-superfluous weapon and names the site. This action sets the stage for his subsequent cry of thirst and God's miraculous provision of water from a hollow place in [Judges 15:18-19](/judges/15-18-19 "Judges 15:18-19 - God Provides Water for Samson"), highlighting Samson's profound dependence on God, not only for strength in battle but also for sustenance afterward.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The era of the Judges (approximately 12th-11th centuries BC) was a turbulent period for Israel, marked by cycles of apostasy, oppression by surrounding nations, and subsequent divine deliverance through charismatic leaders. The Philistines, a powerful "Sea Peoples" group who had settled along the coastal plain of Canaan, were a persistent and dominant military threat to Israel. In the ancient Near East, the practice of naming places after significant events was deeply ingrained in culture. These names functioned as mnemonic devices, historical records, and theological markers, commemorating divine interventions, major battles, or covenant ceremonies. For Samson to name the site "Ramathlehi" was to establish a permanent, tangible testimony to God's power and Israel's temporary triumph over their oppressors. This act reinforced the narrative of God's active involvement in their history, ensuring that the memory of this extraordinary event would be passed down through generations, serving as a reminder of divine faithfulness and miraculous provision.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 15:17 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Empowerment**, demonstrating that God's power is not constrained by human weakness or the inadequacy of instruments. Samson's superhuman strength is unequivocally a supernatural gift from the Spirit of the Lord, enabling him to achieve feats utterly beyond natural human capability. Secondly, the act of naming the place highlights the theme of **Commemoration and Memorialization**, emphasizing the vital importance of remembering God's mighty deeds for future generations. This aligns with a recurring biblical motif where significant events are marked by named places, altars, or monuments (e.g., [Genesis 28:19](/genesis/28-19 "Genesis 28:19 - Jacob Names Bethel"), [Exodus 17:15](/exodus/17-15 "Exodus 17:15 - Moses Names Yahweh-Nissi")). Thirdly, Samson's action of casting away the jawbone, immediately followed by his desperate cry for water in [Judges 15:18](/judges/15-18 "Judges 15:18 - Samson's Thirst"), subtly introduces the theme of **Human Dependence on God**, even after monumental victories. It illustrates that the instrument of victory is temporary and that true sustenance, power, and ultimate deliverance originate solely from the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cast away (Hebrew, _shâlak'_):** From H7993, a primitive root meaning "to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)." In this context, Samson's act of "casting away" the jawbone is highly symbolic. It signifies the completion of its divine purpose and Samson's recognition that the power was not inherent in the instrument itself, but in the Spirit of the Lord who enabled him. This action underscores the temporary and instrumental nature of the jawbone, preventing it from being glorified or seen as the source of victory.
* **jawbone (Hebrew, _lᵉchîy'_):** From H3895, referring to "the cheek (from its fleshiness); hence, the jaw-bone." The choice of this word emphasizes the common, mundane, and seemingly insignificant nature of the weapon. It was not a weapon of war crafted by human hands, but a discarded bone from a dead animal. This highlights the profound irony and divine power at play: God chose the most unlikely and humble instrument to achieve a monumental victory, demonstrating that His strength is made perfect in weakness.
* **Ramathlehi (Hebrew, _Râmath Lechîy'_):** From H7437, a compound name meaning "height of a jaw-bone." This name, given to the "place" (H4725, _mâqôwm_, a spot or locality) by Samson through the act of "calling" (H7121, _qârâʼ_, to name or proclaim), serves as a permanent memorial. It transforms an ordinary geographical feature into a living testimony to the extraordinary event that occurred there. The name ensures that the site itself would perpetually narrate the story of God's miraculous intervention and the astounding victory achieved through an utterly improbable instrument, serving as a constant reminder for future generations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking":** This clause directly links Judges 15:17 to Samson's triumphant, yet boastful, poetic declaration in [Judges 15:16](/judges/15-16 "Judges 15:16 - Samson's Victory Song"). The phrase "made an end" (from H3615, _kâlâh_, to finish or complete) signifies the completion of his immediate task—not only the physical act of battle but also the verbal proclamation of his victory. This marks a transition from the intense action and exultation to the aftermath.
* **"that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand":** This action is profoundly symbolic. By discarding the jawbone (H7993, _shâlak_), Samson demonstrates that the weapon itself was merely an instrument, now no longer needed. It was not the source of his strength, nor was it to be glorified. This act subtly points to the temporary nature of earthly means in accomplishing divine purposes and underscores that the true power resided solely in God. It also suggests a moment of transition—the battle is decisively over, and the tool of war is put aside.
* **"and called that place Ramathlehi":** This act of naming (H7121, _qârâʼ_) is culturally significant in the ancient Near East. It transformed an ordinary location (H4725, _mâqôwm_) into a memorial, permanently associating the place with the extraordinary event that occurred there. By naming it "Ramathlehi" (H7437, "Jawbone Height"), Samson ensured that the site would forever bear witness to God's miraculous deliverance and the astounding victory achieved through him, serving as a constant reminder of divine power and intervention for future generations.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Judges 15:17 is rich with **Symbolism** and **Irony**. The jawbone itself is a potent symbol: a common, seemingly insignificant, and even unclean object (from a dead animal) becomes the instrument of a monumental victory. This powerfully symbolizes God's ability to use the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the strong and wise, a recurring biblical theme. The **Irony** is palpable in the stark disparity between the humble, discarded weapon and the overwhelming outcome—a single bone wielded by one man defeats a thousand armed Philistine warriors. Furthermore, the act of naming the place "Ramathlehi" serves as an act of **Commemoration** and **Memorialization**, a common literary and cultural device in the Old Testament to ensure that significant divine acts are remembered, celebrated, and passed down through generations, reinforcing the historical and theological continuity of God's work among His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 15:17 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign power and His freedom to work through any means He chooses, often selecting the most unlikely instruments to accomplish His grand purposes. Samson's discarding of the jawbone after the victory underscores that the power was never inherent in the object itself, but flowed directly from the Spirit of God. This challenges human tendencies to rely on visible strength, impressive resources, or conventional methods, instead pointing to an invisible, divine source as the ultimate wellspring of true power and effectiveness. The naming of "Ramathlehi" further emphasizes the profound importance of remembering and testifying to God's mighty acts, ensuring that His faithfulness, miraculous provision, and omnipotence are not forgotten but serve as a foundational anchor for future faith and a testament to His enduring character.

* [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27-29 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Weak and Foolish")
* [Psalm 78:4](/psalms/78-4 "Psalm 78:4 - Remembering God's Mighty Deeds")
* [Exodus 17:15](/exodus/17-15 "Exodus 17:15 - Moses Names Yahweh-Nissi")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 15:17 offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. Just as Samson cast away the jawbone, recognizing it as merely an instrument, we are called to release our grip on our own perceived strengths, talents, achievements, or material resources, acknowledging with humility that true power, ultimate victory, and lasting fruitfulness come solely from God. This verse challenges us to critically examine what "jawbones" we might be clinging to, mistakenly believing them to be the source of our effectiveness, rather than humbly depending on the Lord's supernatural enablement. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the vital importance of remembering God's past faithfulness and miraculous victories in our lives, both individually and corporately. By intentionally recalling, commemorating, and sharing His interventions, we build a robust foundation of faith for future challenges, trusting that the God who delivered us before will continue to do so. Our personal and communal "Ramathlehis" are the testimonies of His power, meant to be cherished, remembered, and proclaimed for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "jawbones"—whether personal abilities, material possessions, or societal influence—do you sometimes rely on more than God for security, success, or validation?**
* **How do you intentionally remember and commemorate God's past victories, provisions, and faithful interventions in your own life, ensuring they are not forgotten but serve as anchors for future trust?**
* **In what specific areas of your life or ministry is God calling you to "cast away the jawbone" and step into a deeper, more radical dependence on His power rather than your own efforts or resources?**

### FAQ

**Why did Samson cast away the jawbone?**

Answer: Samson cast away the jawbone primarily to signify the completion of the immediate task and to communicate a profound theological truth: the jawbone itself was merely an instrument, not the source of his power. This action emphasizes that the extraordinary strength and victory came solely from the Spirit of God, not from the physical properties or inherent might of the bone. It highlights the temporary nature of the tool once its divine purpose was served, moving Samson from the intensity of battle to a state of exhaustion and subsequent dependence on God for water, as seen in [Judges 15:18](/judges/15-18 "Judges 15:18 - God Provides Water for Samson"). This act prevents the glorification of the instrument and directs all glory to God.

**What is the significance of naming the place "Ramathlehi"?**

Answer: The naming of the place "Ramathlehi" (meaning "Height of the Jawbone" or "Jawbone Hill") holds profound significance within ancient Near Eastern culture and biblical theology. In these cultures, naming a place after a pivotal event served as a permanent memorial and a historical marker. This act ensured that the miraculous victory achieved through God's power would be remembered by future generations, transforming an ordinary geographical feature into a living testimony. It served as a tangible reminder of divine power displayed in a specific location, a testament to God's ability to use unlikely instruments, and His faithfulness in delivering His people from their oppressors, thereby reinforcing the narrative of God's active involvement in Israel's history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson's victory with the jawbone and the subsequent naming of Ramathlehi powerfully foreshadow the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ. Samson, empowered by the Spirit, used a common, seemingly weak instrument to achieve a miraculous, albeit temporary, deliverance for Israel. This points profoundly to Christ, who, though fully God, humbled Himself, taking on the form of a servant and becoming obedient even to death on a cross ([Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Obedience to Death")). The cross, like the jawbone, appeared to be an instrument of weakness, shame, and defeat, yet through it, God accomplished the definitive, eternal victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Just as Samson discarded the jawbone because the power was not in the object but in God, Christ's victory was not dependent on human strength or earthly means, but on the divine power of God, powerfully demonstrated in His resurrection ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Christ Declared Son of God with Power")). The memorial of Ramathlehi, commemorating a past deliverance, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the enduring reality of Christ's finished work on the cross and His glorious resurrection, a victory we continually remember and proclaim through the Lord's Supper until He comes again ([1 Corinthians 11:26](/1_corinthians/11-26 "1 Corinthians 11:26 - Proclaiming the Lord's Death")). He is the true "stronger man" who has bound the strong man (Satan) and plundered his house, bringing eternal liberation and establishing His everlasting kingdom ([Mark 3:27](/mark/3-27 "Mark 3:27 - Binding the Strong Man")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.