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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 15:15 He found the fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and struck down a thousand men.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/15-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/07_Jdg_15_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 15:15 - Samson's Revenge" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He found the fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and struck down a thousand men." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/15-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/15-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/15.htm">Chapter 15</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/15-14.htm" title="Judges 15:14">◄</a> Judges 15:15 <a href="/judges/15-16.htm" title="Judges 15:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then he found the jawbone of a recently killed donkey. He picked it up and killed 1,000 Philistines with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, and put out his hand and took it, and with it he struck 1,000 men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He found the fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and struck down a thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he reached out with his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he reached out and took it and killed a thousand men with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he reached out and took it and killed a thousand men with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he sent forth his hand and took it and struck down 1,000 men with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he reached out his hand and took it and killed a thousand men with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand, took it, and killed a thousand men with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand, took it, and killed 1,000 men with it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he found a fresh jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and smote a thousand men therewith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Samson glanced around and spotted the jawbone of a donkey. The jawbone had not yet dried out, so it was still hard and heavy. Samson grabbed it and started hitting Philistines--he killed 1,000 of them! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and smote a thousand men therewith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Samson found the jawbone from a donkey that had just died. He picked it up and killed 1,000 men with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then he found a jawbone of a donkey that had recently died. He reached down and picked it up, and killed a thousand men with it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He happened upon a jawbone from a putrefying donkey, reached out to grab it, and killed 1,000 men with it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He found the fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and struck down a thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He happened to see a solid jawbone of a donkey. He grabbed it and struck down a thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, and reached down and took it, and struck a thousand men with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he found a fresh jaw-bone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, put out his hand, took it, and struck a thousand men with it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he finds a fresh jawbone of a donkey, and puts forth his hand and takes it, and strikes down one thousand men with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he findeth a fresh jaw-bone of an ass, and putteth forth his hand and taketh it, and smiteth with it -- a thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will find the jaw-bone of an ass, fresh, and he will stretch forth his hand and take it and will strike with it a thousand men.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And finding a jawbone, even the jawbone of an ass which lay there, catching it up, be slew therewith a thousand men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And finding a jawbone which was laying there, that is, the jawbone of a donkey, snatching it up, he put to death a thousand men with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Coming upon the fresh jawbone of an ass, he reached out, grasped it, and with it killed a thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached down and took it, and with it he killed a thousand men.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he found a hard jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand and took it, and slew a thousand men with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he found the hard jawbone of a donkey, and he reached his hand and he took it and he killed one thousand men with it<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and smote a thousand men therewith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he found the jaw-bone of an ass that had been cast away, and he put forth his hand and took it, and smote with it a thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/15-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=4618" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/15.htm">Samson's Revenge</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>When Samson arrived in Lehi, the Philistines came out shouting against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him. The ropes on his arms became like burnt flax, and the bonds broke loose from his hands. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: way·yim·ṣā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To attain to, find. ">He found</a> <a href="/hebrew/2961.htm" title="2961: ṭə·rî·yāh (Adj-fs) -- Fresh. From an unused root apparently meaning to be moist; properly, dripping; hence, fresh.">the fresh</a> <a href="/hebrew/3895.htm" title="3895: lə·ḥî- (N-fsc) -- Jaw, cheek. From an unused root meaning to be soft; the cheek; hence, the jaw-bone.">jawbone</a> <a href="/hebrew/2543.htm" title="2543: ḥă·mō·wr (N-ms) -- A male ass. Or chamor; from chamar; a male ass.">of a donkey,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: way·yiš·laḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">reached out</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">his hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·qā·ḥe·hā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3fs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">and took it,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: way·yaḵ- (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">and struck down</a> <a href="/hebrew/bāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’e·lep̄ (Number-msc) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand.">a thousand</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">men.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>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.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-49.htm">1 Samuel 17:49-51</a></span><br />Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. / Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. / David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him, and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-32.htm">Hebrews 11:32-34</a></span><br />And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27-29</a></span><br />But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/6-20.htm">Joshua 6:20</a></span><br />So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. When they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-6.htm">1 Samuel 14:6-14</a></span><br />Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” / His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” / “Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9-10</a></span><br />But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/4-2.htm">Exodus 4:2-4</a></span><br />And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. / “Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. / “Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail,” the LORD said to Moses, who reached out his hand and caught the snake, and it turned back into a staff in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-45.htm">1 Samuel 17:45-47</a></span><br />But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. / This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. / And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/13-18.htm">2 Kings 13:18-19</a></span><br />Then Elisha said, “Take the arrows!” So he took them, and Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground!” So he struck the ground three times and stopped. / But the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times. Then you would have struck down Aram until you had put an end to it. But now you will strike down Aram only three times.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/4-6.htm">Zechariah 4:6</a></span><br />So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-40.htm">1 Samuel 17:40</a></span><br />And David took his staff in his hand, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. And with his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/23-2.htm">1 Samuel 23:2-5</a></span><br />So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” / But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” / Once again, David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him: “Go at once to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/23-8.htm">2 Samuel 23:8-12</a></span><br />These are the names of David’s mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the Three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed at one time. / Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated, / but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-14.htm">Isaiah 41:14-16</a></span><br />Do not fear, O Jacob, you worm, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. / Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. / You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34-37</a></span><br />David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, / I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. / Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.</p><p class="hdg">new jaw-bone.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/3-31.htm">Judges 3:31</a></b></br> And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/4-21.htm">Judges 4:21</a></b></br> Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/7-16.htm">Judges 7:16</a></b></br> And he divided the three hundred men <i>into</i> three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.</p><p class="hdg">a thousand.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/12-14.htm">Ass</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-6.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/judges/14-8.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/judges/12-14.htm">Donkey</a> <a href="/judges/13-20.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/judges/15-13.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/15-17.htm">Jawbone</a> <a href="/judges/15-17.htm">Jaw-Bone</a> <a href="/judges/12-6.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/judges/15-17.htm">Mouth-Bone</a> <a href="/judges/15-13.htm">New</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Newly</a> <a href="/judges/15-4.htm">Putteth</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Reached</a> <a href="/judges/12-6.htm">Seized</a> <a href="/judges/14-19.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/judges/15-8.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/judges/15-8.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/judges/15-8.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-46.htm">Therewith</a> <a href="/judges/15-11.htm">Thousand</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/15-16.htm">Ass</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-9.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/judges/16-30.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/judges/15-16.htm">Donkey</a> <a href="/judges/18-10.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/judges/15-17.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/15-16.htm">Jawbone</a> <a href="/judges/15-16.htm">Jaw-Bone</a> <a href="/judges/15-16.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/judges/15-16.htm">Mouth-Bone</a> <a href="/judges/16-7.htm">New</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-14.htm">Newly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-6.htm">Putteth</a> <a href="/judges/16-29.htm">Reached</a> <a href="/judges/16-21.htm">Seized</a> <a href="/judges/16-24.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/judges/20-35.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/judges/18-27.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/judges/15-16.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/judges/16-12.htm">Therewith</a> <a href="/judges/15-16.htm">Thousand</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-1.htm">Samson is denied his wife</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-3.htm">He burns the Philistines' corn with foxes and firebrands</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-6.htm">His wife and her father are burnt by the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-8.htm">Samson smites them hip and thigh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-9.htm">He is bound by the men of Judah, and delivered to the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-14.htm">He kills them with a jawbone</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-18.htm">God makes the fountain En-hakkore for him in Lehi</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>He found the fresh jawbone of a donkey</b><br>The jawbone of a donkey is significant as it was an unconventional weapon, highlighting God's ability to use the ordinary for extraordinary purposes. In the context of ancient Israel, donkeys were common animals, and their bones would have been readily available. The term "fresh" suggests that the jawbone was still strong and not brittle, making it an effective tool for combat. This event occurs during a time when the Philistines were oppressing Israel, and Samson was raised as a judge to deliver them. The use of a jawbone also underscores the theme of God empowering the weak or seemingly insignificant to achieve His purposes, reminiscent of David's use of a sling against Goliath.<p><b>reached out his hand and took it</b><br>Samson's action of reaching out and taking the jawbone demonstrates his initiative and willingness to act in faith. This phrase emphasizes the personal responsibility and courage required to step into God's calling. It also reflects the biblical principle that God often requires human cooperation to accomplish His divine plans. Samson's act can be seen as a type of Christ, who willingly took on the role of Savior, using what was available to fulfill God's mission.<p><b>and struck down a thousand men</b><br>The defeat of a thousand men with a single jawbone is a testament to the supernatural strength given to Samson by the Spirit of the Lord. This miraculous victory serves as a reminder of God's power to deliver His people against overwhelming odds. It parallels other biblical accounts where God grants victory to His chosen leaders, such as Gideon's defeat of the Midianites with just 300 men. This event foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death, achieved through His sacrificial death and resurrection. The number "thousand" often symbolizes completeness or a large multitude in Scripture, emphasizing the totality of the victory God provided through Samson.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/samson.htm">Samson</a></b><br>A judge of Israel known for his extraordinary strength, which was a gift from God. His life is marked by personal flaws and divine empowerment.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>The enemies of Israel during the time of the Judges. They were a constant threat and oppressors of the Israelites.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jawbone_of_a_donkey.htm">Jawbone of a Donkey</a></b><br>An unconventional weapon used by Samson to achieve a miraculous victory over the Philistines. It symbolizes God's ability to use the ordinary for extraordinary purposes.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/l/lehi.htm">Lehi</a></b><br>The place where this event occurred. The name "Lehi" means "jawbone," which is significant in the context of this account.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_deliverance.htm">God's Deliverance</a></b><br>The overarching theme of this event is God's deliverance of Israel through Samson, despite his personal failings.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_power.htm">God's Sovereignty and Power</a></b><br>God can use the most unexpected means to achieve His purposes. The jawbone of a donkey, a seemingly insignificant object, becomes a tool for deliverance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_weakness_and_divine_strength.htm">Human Weakness and Divine Strength</a></b><br>Samson's account reminds us that human strength is insufficient without God's empowerment. Our weaknesses can be transformed into strengths when surrendered to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_obedience.htm">Faith and Obedience</a></b><br>Despite Samson's personal failings, his faith in God's power is evident. This encourages believers to trust in God's ability to work through them, regardless of their imperfections.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Samson's life also serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of straying from God's commands. His victories are often overshadowed by his personal failures.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_grace_and_redemption.htm">God's Grace and Redemption</a></b><br>Samson's inclusion in <a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">Hebrews 11</a> highlights God's grace. It reassures us that God can redeem and use anyone for His glory, regardless of past mistakes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_stance_on_gun_confiscation.htm">What does the Bible say about gun confiscation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_a_jawbone_defeat_1,000_men.htm">In Judges 15:15, how can using a donkey’s jawbone account for a victory over 1,000 armed men without breaking or becoming ineffective? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_judges_15's_supernatural_events_align.htm">How do these supernatural elements in Judges 15 align or conflict with other biblical passages or historical sources describing similar events?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_a_man_kill_a_lion_barehanded.htm">How could one man realistically kill a lion with his bare hands (Judges 14:5–6)? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">A new jawbone.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">a moist jawbone--i.e., </span>the jawbone of an animal recently dead, and before the bone had become brittle. In this instance, at any rate, Samson might feel himself absolved from the rule of ceremonial cleanness, which forbad him as a Nazarite to touch carcases. A jawbone is a mighty magic weapon in one of the Polynesian legends (Grey, <span class= "ital">Polyn. Mythology, </span>p. 35), but that throws no light on this narrative.<p><span class= "bld">Slew a thousand men.</span>--The verb is rather <span class= "ital">smote </span>than "slew," and the expression (whether due to poetry or not) is to be taken generally, like "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." If Goliath was able single-handed to strike terror into the whole army of Israel, Samson with his long locks and colossal strength would be still more likely to strike a terror into the Philistines, and all the more because a supernatural awe was doubtless attached by this time to his name and person. The very fact that, though armed only with this wretched weapon of offence, he yet dared to rush upon the Philistines would make them fly in wilder panic (<a href="/joshua/23-10.htm" title="One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fights for you, as he has promised you.">Joshua 23:10</a>). "One man of you shall chase a thousand; for the Lord your God He it is that fighteth for you, as He hath promised you." (Comp. Leviticus 26; <a href="/deuteronomy/32-30.htm" title="How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?">Deuteronomy 32:30</a>.) So we read that one of David's heroes slew three hundred men (<a href="/1_chronicles/11-11.htm" title="And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time.">1Chronicles 11:11</a>; comp. <a href="/2_samuel/23-8.htm" title="These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.">2Samuel 23:8</a>). The Philistines, dull and superstitious, seem to have been peculiarly liable to these panics (<a href="/context/1_samuel/14-4.htm" title="And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.">1Samuel 14:4-18</a>). Bishop Patrick quotes a striking parallel from a song on the Emperor Aurelian. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - A most vivid and stirring description! The Spirit of the Lord (<a href="/judges/14-19.htm">Judges 14:19</a>), with that suddenness which marks his extraordinary movements (<a href="/1_kings/18-12.htm">1 Kings 18:12</a>; <a href="/2_kings/2-16.htm">2 Kings 2:16</a>; <a href="/acts/2-2.htm">Acts 2:2</a>; <a href="/acts/8-39.htm">Acts 8:39</a>, etc.), came upon Samson, and mightily strengthened him in his outer man. The strong new cords snapped asunder in an instant, and before the Philistines could recover from their terror at seeing their great enemy free, he had snatched up the heavy jawbone of an ass recently dead, and with it smote the flying Philistines till a thousand of them had fallen under his blows. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/15-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">He found</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּמְצָ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yim·ṣā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the fresh</span><br /><span class="heb">טְרִיָּ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṭə·rî·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2961.htm">Strong's 2961: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dripping, fresh</span><br /><br /><span class="word">jawbone</span><br /><span class="heb">לְחִֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḥî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3895.htm">Strong's 3895: </a> </span><span class="str2">The cheek, the jaw-bone</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a donkey,</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲמ֖וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·mō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2543.htm">Strong's 2543: </a> </span><span class="str2">A male ass</span><br /><br /><span class="word">reached out</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·laḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his hand</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדוֹ֙</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and took it,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקָּחֶ֔הָ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·qā·ḥe·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and struck down</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּךְ־</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaḵ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a thousand</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶ֥לֶף</span> <span class="translit">(’e·lep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_505.htm">Strong's 505: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thousand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men.</span><br /><span class="heb">אִֽישׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/15-15.htm">Judges 15:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/15-15.htm">Judges 15:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/15-15.htm">Judges 15:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/15-15.htm">Judges 15:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/15-15.htm">Judges 15:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/15-15.htm">Judges 15:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/15-15.htm">Judges 15:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/15-15.htm">Judges 15:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/15-15.htm">Judges 15:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/15-15.htm">Judges 15:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/15-15.htm">OT History: Judges 15:15 He found a fresh jawbone (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/15-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 15:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 15:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/15-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 15:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 15:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>