Judges 15:19

But God clave an hollow place that [was] in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which [is] in Lehi unto this day.

But God {H430} clave {H1234} an hollow place {H4388} that was in the jaw {H3895}, and there came {H3318} water {H4325} thereout; and when he had drunk {H8354}, his spirit {H7307} came again {H7725}, and he revived {H2421}: wherefore he called {H7121} the name {H8034} thereof Enhakkore {H5875}, which is in Lehi {H3896} unto this day {H3117}.

Then God made a gash in the crater at Lechi, and water came out. When he had drunk, his spirit came back; and he revived. This is why the place was called 'Ein-HaKorei [the spring of him who called], and it is there in Lechi until now.

So God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned, and he was revived. That is why he named it En-hakkore, and it remains in Lehi to this day.

But God clave the hollow place that is in Lehi, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore the name thereof was called En-hakkore, which is in Lehi, unto this day.

Commentary

Judges 15:19 describes a crucial moment of divine intervention following Samson's extraordinary victory over a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey. Exhausted and on the verge of death from thirst, Samson cried out to God, and this verse records God's miraculous response.

Context

Immediately preceding this verse, Samson had just accomplished a massive feat of strength, slaying a thousand Philistines in Lehi. However, this immense effort left him utterly parched and desperate. He was not only physically drained but also spiritually humbled, acknowledging his dependence on God for deliverance from thirst, just as God had delivered him from the Philistines. His cry for water was a desperate prayer for survival, revealing his vulnerability despite his superhuman strength.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Miraculous Intervention: This verse powerfully illustrates God's immediate and supernatural response to human need. God "clave an hollow place" in the very jawbone that Samson had used, turning an instrument of death into a source of life-giving water. This highlights God's ability to provide in the most unexpected and miraculous ways, often using the very circumstances or tools at hand.
  • God's Faithfulness to His Servants: Despite Samson's many flaws and impulsive actions throughout his life as a judge, God remained faithful to His covenant and to the calling He had placed on Samson. God heard Samson's cry and provided for him, demonstrating that His faithfulness is not dependent on human perfection but on His own character.
  • The Power of Prayer: Samson's desperate plea in the previous verse was directly answered. This incident serves as a vivid reminder that God hears and responds to the cries of His people, especially in moments of great need and humility.
  • Revival and Restoration: The water brought immediate physical and spiritual revival. Samson's "spirit came again, and he revived," showing how God's provision brings not just sustenance but a complete restoration of strength and vitality, both physically and inwardly.

Linguistic Insights

The place where this miracle occurred was named Enhakkore (Hebrew: ืขึตื™ืŸ ื”ึทืงึผื•ึนืจึตื, โ€˜Ein Ha-Koreโ€™), which means "fountain of him that called" or "spring of the caller." This name serves as a perpetual memorial to Samson's desperate cry to God and God's gracious answer. The location itself, Lehi (Hebrew: ืœึถื—ึดื™, Lechi), means "jawbone," linking the place name directly to the instrument of Samson's victory and the subsequent miracle.

Practical Application

Judges 15:19 offers timeless encouragement. When we feel utterly depleted, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, and have seemingly exhausted all our own resources, God remains our ultimate source of strength and provision. Like Samson, we are called to cry out to Him in our weakness. This verse assures us that God is able to provide refreshment and revival from the most unlikely sources, turning our moments of despair into testimonies of His power and faithfulness. It reminds us that our greatest victories often precede our deepest needs, and it is in those moments of vulnerability that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 44:3 (5 votes)

    For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

  • Genesis 45:27 (4 votes)

    And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:

  • Psalms 34:6 (3 votes)

    This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles.

  • Exodus 17:15 (2 votes)

    And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:

  • 1 Samuel 30:12 (2 votes)

    And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk [any] water, three days and three nights.

  • Isaiah 40:26 (2 votes)

    Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these [things], that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that [he is] strong in power; not one faileth.

  • Genesis 30:30 (2 votes)

    For [it was] little which thou hadst before I [came], and it is [now] increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?