### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun חֲמֹרָה (chămôrâh, `{{H2565}}`) derives from the root חָמַר (chamár, `{{H2560}}`), which carries the sense of "to swell up," "to ferment," or "to be in a state of turmoil." It is closely related to the noun חֹמֶר (chómer, `{{H2563}}`), meaning "heap," "pile," or "clay." Thus, חֲמֹרָה fundamentally denotes a "heap" or "pile," emphasizing a physical accumulation or mass. The semantic range is quite narrow, consistently referring to a collection of items, often in a large or significant quantity, implying an overwhelming abundance or a substantial accumulation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term חֲמֹרָה (chămôrâh, `{{H2565}}`) appears exclusively in the book of Judges, specifically within the narrative of Samson's exploits. Its limited occurrences highlight its specific and powerful contextual usage:
1. **[[Judges 15:16]]**: "Then Samson said, 'With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps upon heaps, With the jawbone of a donkey I have slain a thousand men.'" Here, חֲמֹרָה (chămôrâh) is used in a poetic and emphatic repetition, "חֲמֹרָה חֲמֹרָתַיִם" (chămôrâh chamorātayim), literally "a heap, two heaps" or "heaps upon heaps." This phrase serves as a powerful hyperbole, underscoring the immense number of Philistines Samson slew. Crucially, there is a deliberate wordplay here with the Hebrew word for "donkey," חֲמוֹר (chamor, `{{H2543}}`), which sounds very similar to חֲמֹרָה. Samson's boast cleverly links the instrument of his victory (the donkey's jawbone) with the overwhelming outcome (heaps of slain enemies), attributing the miraculous victory to divine empowerment.
2. **[[Judges 15:17]]**: "When he had finished speaking, he threw the jawbone from his hand; and he named that place Ramath-Lehi." The name of the place, רָמַת לֶחִי (Ramath-Lehi), is often translated as "Hill of the Jawbone." However, "Ramath" (רָמַת) can also mean "height" or "elevation," and given the preceding context, it strongly implies "Heap of the Jawbone." This naming serves as a lasting memorial to Samson's extraordinary, divinely-assisted victory, where the "heap" of slain Philistines became synonymous with the site itself. The physical accumulation of bodies gave the place its enduring name, marking a significant event in Israel's history of deliverance.
In both instances, חֲמֹרָה functions to describe an overwhelming, almost unbelievable, quantity, directly linked to a display of divine power through Samson. It is not merely a descriptive term but one imbued with the weight of a miraculous event.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related words are those from the same root:
* **חָמַר (chamár, `{{H2560}}`)**: The verbal root, meaning "to swell up," "to ferment," "to be red." This root suggests the idea of accumulation or intensity, which aligns with the concept of a "heap."
* **חֹמֶר (chómer, `{{H2563}}`)**: A masculine noun meaning "heap," "pile," "clay," or "mire." This word is very close in form and meaning to חֲמֹרָה, often used to describe a quantity of material, such as clay ([[Job 4:19]], [[Job 10:9]]) or a heap of grain ([[Exodus 8:14]]).
* **חֲמוֹר (chamor, `{{H2543}}`)**: "Donkey." This is crucial for understanding the wordplay in [[Judges 15:16]], where the sound of "donkey" (chamor) is echoed in "heaps" (chămôrâh).
Other Hebrew words conveying the idea of a "heap" or "pile" include:
* **גַּל (gal, `{{H1530}}`)**: Often used for a "heap of stones" ([[Genesis 31:46]]), "ruins," or "waves."
* **עֲרֵמָה (aremah, `{{H6194}}`)**: Typically refers to a "heap of grain" or "sheaves" ([[Exodus 22:6]], [[Ruth 3:7]]).
The concept of a "heap" in these contexts often signifies:
* **Overwhelming Quantity**: An immense number or amount.
* **Decisive Victory/Defeat**: The physical manifestation of a conclusive battle outcome.
* **Memorial/Monument**: A lasting reminder of a significant event, often marked by a physical accumulation (e.g., a cairn or a named place).
### Theological Significance
While חֲמֹרָה (chămôrâh) is a concrete term, its theological significance emerges powerfully from its specific biblical context. In the narrative of Samson, the "heaps upon heaps" of slain Philistines are not merely a tally of casualties but a vivid testament to divine power and intervention.
1. **Divine Empowerment**: Samson's ability to slay a thousand men with a makeshift weapon like a donkey's jawbone is clearly presented as a miraculous feat, enabled by the Spirit of the Lord ([[Judges 15:14]]). The "heaps" symbolize the overwhelming and decisive nature of God's deliverance for His people, even through an unconventional and flawed instrument like Samson. It underscores that victory belongs to the Lord, regardless of the odds or human limitations.
2. **Judgment and Deliverance**: The "heaps" represent the physical consequence of God's judgment upon the Philistines, who oppressed Israel, and simultaneously, the tangible manifestation of His deliverance for His people. The sheer number of dead bodies serves as a stark reminder of the devastating power unleashed by God against His enemies.
3. **Memorialization of Divine Action**: The naming of the place "Ramath-Lehi" (Heap of the Jawbone) ensures that the event, and by extension God's mighty hand in it, would not be forgotten. The physical "heap" becomes a permanent, geographical marker of a moment of divine favor and Israelite triumph, serving as a constant reminder to future generations of God's faithfulness and strength. It transforms a scene of carnage into a place of memorial for divine intervention.
### Summary
The Hebrew word חֲמֹרָה (chămôrâh, `{{H2565}}`) precisely denotes a "heap" or "pile," deriving from a root implying accumulation or swelling. Its limited but impactful occurrences in Judges 15 are central to understanding Samson's divinely empowered victory over the Philistines. The phrase "heaps upon heaps" vividly portrays the overwhelming number of slain enemies, emphasizing the miraculous nature of God's intervention. Furthermore, the naming of the battle site "Ramath-Lehi" (Heap of the Jawbone) transforms this physical accumulation into a lasting memorial, signifying divine judgment, decisive deliverance, and the enduring power of the Lord. Thus, while a simple descriptive term, חֲמֹרָה carries profound theological weight in its biblical context, pointing to the tangible manifestation of God's sovereign might and His provision for His people.
TRV