The Jawbone of an Ass
The JudgesMeaning: “A fresh donkey’s jawbone”
God’s power working through the unlikeliest of weapons.
The fresh donkey’s jawbone with which Samson struck down a thousand Philistines.
What It Was
Empowered by the Spirit of the LORD, Samson seized “a new jawbone of an ass” and slew a thousand Philistines with it, declaring, “With the jawbone of an ass… have I slain a thousand men” (Judges 15:15–16). He named the place Ramath-lehi (“the hill of the jawbone”).
Biblical Significance & Symbolism
That God gave so great a victory through a discarded bone shows that deliverance rests on his Spirit, not human weaponry — “not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit” (Zechariah 4:6). God delights to use weak and despised things.
Timeline
Samson slays a thousand Philistines with the jawbone
Scripture References
3 versesJudges3 verses
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. new: Heb. moist
Judges 15:16
And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men. heaps upon: Heb. an heap, two heaps
Judges 15:17
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. Ramathlehi: that is, the lifting up of the jawbone, or, casting away of the jawbone
Topics & Symbolism
Biblical themes this object points to and helps interpret.
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Frequently asked about The Jawbone of an Ass
What was The Jawbone of an Ass in the Bible?
The fresh donkey’s jawbone with which Samson struck down a thousand Philistines.
What does The Jawbone of an Ass symbolize?
God’s power working through the unlikeliest of weapons.
What does the name The Jawbone of an Ass mean?
The name The Jawbone of an Ass means “A fresh donkey’s jawbone”.
What was The Jawbone of an Ass made of?
The Jawbone of an Ass was made of bone.
Where was The Jawbone of an Ass kept?
The Jawbone of an Ass was kept at Ramath-lehi.
Where is The Jawbone of an Ass first mentioned in the Bible?
The Jawbone of an Ass is first mentioned in Judges 15:15.
How often is The Jawbone of an Ass mentioned in the Bible?
The Jawbone of an Ass is mentioned in 3 verses across 1 book: Judges.
What did Samson do with the jawbone?
Empowered by God’s Spirit, he killed a thousand Philistines with a fresh donkey’s jawbone (Judges 15:15–16).
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