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Judges 15:15

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Judges 15:15 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

He found the fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and struck down a thousand men.

King James Version KJV

And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.

American Standard Version ASV

And he found a fresh jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and smote a thousand men therewith.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And taking up the mouth-bone of an ass newly dead, which he saw by chance on the earth, he put to death a thousand men with it.

Free Bible Version FBV

He grabbed the fresh jawbone of a donkey, using it to kill a thousand Philistines.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And he found a new iawebone of an asse, and put forth his hand, and caught it, and slewe a thousand men therewith.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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.

World English Bible WEB

He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, put out his hand, took it, and struck a thousand men with it.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And finding a jawbone, even the jawbone of an ass which lay there, catching it up, be slew therewith a thousand men.

Translation for Translators T4T

Then he saw a donkey’s jawbone lying on the ground. It was fresh, so it was hard. He picked it up and killed about 1,000 Philistine men with it.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 15:15

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 15:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יִּמְצָ֥א לְחִֽי חֲמ֖וֹר טְרִיָּ֑ה וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֤ח יָד/וֹ֙ וַ/יִּקָּחֶ֔/הָ וַ/יַּךְ בָּ֖/הּ אֶ֥לֶף אִֽישׁ
וַ/יִּמְצָ֥א mâtsâʼ H4672 to find Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לְחִֽי lᵉchîy H3895 jaw N-cs
חֲמ֖וֹר chămôwr H2543 donkey N-cs
טְרִיָּ֑ה ṭârîy H2961 fresh Adj
וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֤ח shâlach H7971 to send Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יָד/וֹ֙ yâd H3027 hand N-cs | Suff
וַ/יִּקָּחֶ֔/הָ lâqach H3947 to take Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
וַ/יַּךְ nâkâh H5221 to smite Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
בָּ֖/הּ Prep | Suff
אֶ֥לֶף ʼeleph H505 thousand Adj
אִֽישׁ ʼîysh H376 man N-ms
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 15:15

וַ/יִּמְצָ֥א mâtsâʼ H4672 "to find" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
לְחִֽי lᵉchîy H3895 "jaw" 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.
חֲמ֖וֹר chămôwr H2543 "donkey" N-cs
The Hebrew word for a male donkey, it is translated as he ass in the KJV Bible. The name comes from the animal's reddish-brown color.
Definition: (he) ass
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: (he) ass. See also: Genesis 12:16; Judges 6:4; Proverbs 26:3.
טְרִיָּ֑ה ṭârîy H2961 "fresh" Adj
This Hebrew word describes something as fresh or new, like a recently made product. It can also mean dripping with liquid, emphasizing its recent creation. The KJV translates it as new or putrefying.
Definition: fresh, new
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: new, putrefying. See also: Judges 15:15; Isaiah 1:6.
וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֤ח shâlach H7971 "to send" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send
Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.
יָד/וֹ֙ yâd H3027 "hand" 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/יִּקָּחֶ֔/הָ lâqach H3947 "to take" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
וַ/יַּךְ nâkâh H5221 "to smite" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
בָּ֖/הּ "" Prep | Suff
אֶ֥לֶף ʼeleph H505 "thousand" Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
אִֽישׁ ʼîysh H376 "man" N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.

Study Notes — Judges 15:15

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Joshua 23:10 One of you can put a thousand to flight, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as He promised.
2 Leviticus 26:8 Five of you will pursue a hundred, and a hundred of you will pursue ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.
3 Judges 3:31 After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath. And he too saved Israel, striking down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad.
4 1 Samuel 17:49–50 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.
5 1 Corinthians 1:27–28 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,
6 Judges 4:21 But as he lay sleeping from exhaustion, Heber’s wife Jael took a tent peg, grabbed a hammer, and went silently to Sisera. She drove the peg through his temple and into the ground, and he died.
7 1 Samuel 14:14 In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men over half an acre of land.
8 1 Samuel 14:6 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.”
9 Judges 7:16 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each man a ram’s horn in one hand and a large jar in the other, containing a torch.

Judges 15:15 Summary

[Judges 15:15 shows us that God can use anything to accomplish His purposes, even something as ordinary as a donkey's jawbone, and it highlights Samson's trust in God's power and provision. This verse teaches us to trust in God's strength, rather than our own, and to have faith in His deliverance and judgment, as seen in other biblical accounts like Exodus 14:13-14 and Psalm 23:4. By trusting in God, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges, just like Samson did when he struck down a thousand men with a jawbone. This story encourages us to look to God for our strength and to trust in His power to guide and protect us.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the fresh jawbone of a donkey in Judges 15:15?

The fresh jawbone of a donkey represents God's ability to use anything, no matter how insignificant, to accomplish His purposes, as seen in Judges 15:15 where Samson uses it to strike down a thousand men, similar to how God used a staff in Exodus 4:2-4 to demonstrate His power.

How did Samson have the strength to strike down a thousand men with a jawbone?

The strength of Samson came from the Spirit of the LORD, who came mightily upon him, as stated in Judges 15:14, enabling him to accomplish this extraordinary feat, similar to how the Spirit of the LORD empowered other biblical figures like David in 1 Samuel 17:45-47.

Is this verse promoting violence or aggression?

This verse is not promoting violence, but rather it shows God's deliverance and judgment, as Samson was acting in response to the Philistines' aggression, and it highlights God's power and control over all situations, as seen in Proverbs 21:31 and Romans 12:19.

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

We can learn about trusting in God's power and provision, even in the most difficult circumstances, and about being faithful to God's call on our lives, just as Samson was, and as encouraged in Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 11:32-34.

Reflection Questions

  1. How have you seen God use unexpected or ordinary things to accomplish His purposes in your life or in the lives of others?
  2. What are some areas in your life where you feel like you are facing overwhelming odds or opposition, and how can you trust in God's power and provision like Samson did?
  3. In what ways can you apply the principle of trusting in God's strength, rather than your own, to your daily life and challenges, as seen in Judges 15:15 and other biblical accounts?
  4. How does this verse encourage you to have faith in God's deliverance and judgment, even in the midst of difficult or trying circumstances, and what does it teach you about God's character?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 15:15

And he found a new jawbone of an ass,.... That is, the jawbone of an ass lately killed, which perhaps had some of the flesh upon it, the blood or purulent matter on it; for Jarchi says, he had read

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 15:15

And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 15:15

A new jawbone, and therefore more tough and strong.

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 15:15

Judges 15:15 And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.Ver. 15. And he found a new jaw-bone of an ass.] This holy Hercules had no better a club to bestir him with; and it was sufficient. So was "the foolishness of preaching," to subdue the world under Christ, the true Samson, who, by his death, brake the bands of death, and destroyed his and our enemies. And slew a thousand men therewith.] So did Shamgar six hundred with an ox-goad; David, Goliath, with a sling and stone. God can effect great matters by small means. How many thousands perish by a pestilential air, as 2 Samuel 1:25. The great cardinal of Lorraine was lighted to his lodging and to his long home at once by a poisoned torch. Bucholc.

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 15:15

(15) A new jawbone.—Literally, a moist jawbone—i.e., 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, Polyn. Mythology, p. 35), but that throws no light on this narrative. Slew a thousand men.—The verb is rather smote 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 (Joshua 23:10). “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; Deuteronomy 32:30.) So we read that one of David’s heroes slew three hundred men (1 Chronicles 11:11; comp. 2 Samuel 23:8). The Philistines, dull and superstitious, seem to have been peculiarly liable to these panics (1 Samuel 14:4-18). Bishop Patrick quotes a striking parallel from a song on the Emperor Aurelian.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 15:15

Verse 15. He found a new jaw-bone of an ass] I rather think that the word טריה teriyah, which we translate new, and the margin moist, should be understood as signifying the tabia or putrid state of the ass from which this jawbone was taken. He found there a dead ass in a state of putrefaction; on which account he could the more easily separate the jaw from its integuments; this was a circumstance proper to be recorded by the historian, and a mark of the providence of God. But were we to understand it of a fresh jaw-bone, very lately separated from the head of an ass, the circumstance does not seem worthy of being recorded. With the jaw-bore of an ass, heaps upon heaps] I cannot see the propriety of this rendering of the Hebrew words בלחי החמור חמור חמרתים bilchi hachamor, chemor chamorathayim; I believe they should be translated thus: - "With the jaw-bone of this ass, an ass (the foal) of two asses; "With the jaw-bone of this ass I have slain a thousand men." This appears to have been a triumphal song on the occasion; and the words are variously rendered both by the versions, and by expositors.

Cambridge Bible on Judges 15:15

15. a thousand men] The numbers of course belong to the extraordinary character of the story. Moore notes that, according to Moslem tradition, the first blood in the cause of Islam was drawn with a similar weapon, the jawbone of a camel.

Barnes' Notes on Judges 15:15

Slew a thousand men therewith - Compare the marginal references.

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 15:15

15. New jawbone — Moist or fresh, as would be the case if the animal had recently died. Such a bone would be less liable to break than one old and thoroughly dried.

Sermons on Judges 15:15

SermonDescription
Carter Conlon When Tears Come to a Religious Man's House by Carter Conlon In this sermon, the preacher focuses on a story from Luke Chapter 7 where Jesus is dining at the house of a man named Simon. The preacher highlights how Simon, a religious man, fai
D.L. Moody The Qualifications for Soul Winning by D.L. Moody D.L. Moody emphasizes the essential qualifications for soul winning, urging believers to shake off the vipers of formalism, pride, and self-importance that hinder the church's miss
C.H. Spurgeon One a Majority! by C.H. Spurgeon C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that one person with God is a majority, illustrating that divine strength can overcome any odds. He references biblical examples such as Gideon, Abram, Mos
Zac Poonen Parables of Jesus - 02 Paying the Price by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the parables of Jesus in Mark's Gospel, specifically the parables related to paying the price to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ. The firs
Stephen Kaung Isaiah Chapter 30 by Stephen Kaung In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of having a hard heart and not helping those in need. He tells a story of a brother who watched another brother drown multiple times
Jack Hyles Slippery When by Jack Hyles In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal experience of going door-to-door to evangelize. He encounters a man who is initially resistant but eventually sits down to listen. Th
Robert Wurtz II (I) the Gospel of God's Great Love - Part 7 (Kicking Against the Pricks) by Robert Wurtz II Robert Wurtz II delves into the insightful pictures the Bible uses to express how God strives with man, likening it to a farmer plowing a field with oxen and using ox goads to dire
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