לֶחִי
Lechi, a place in Palestine
Definition
Lechi (לֶחִי) is a proper noun referring to a specific location in ancient Palestine, known as the site of several dramatic events in the life of Samson. The name itself means 'jawbone,' derived from its root word. In the biblical narrative, Lechi is most famously the place where Samson, after being bound by the men of Judah and handed over to the Philistines, broke free and killed a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey (Judges 15:14-15). Later, God provided a miraculous spring of water at Lechi to revive the thirsty Samson, leading him to name the spring En Hakkore (Judges 15:19). The location is referenced three times, all within Judges 15, marking it as a key setting for God's power displayed through Samson.
Biblical Usage
The word Lechi is used exclusively in the book of Judges, specifically in Judges 15:9, 15:14, and 15:19. All occurrences are within the narrative of Samson's conflict with the Philistines. It functions solely as a geographical place name. The usage pattern shows it first introduced as the location where the Philistines encamped against Judah (Judges 15:9), then as the scene of Samson's great victory (Judges 15:14), and finally as the site of God's provision of water (Judges 15:19).
Etymology
Lechi (לֶחִי) is a proper noun derived directly from the common Hebrew noun לְחִי (lechi, H3895), which means 'jaw' or 'jawbone.' The place was likely named for a distinctive rock formation or landmark that resembled a jawbone. It is a clear example of a location named after a physical characteristic. The related term Ramath Lechi (רָמַת לֶחִי, H7437) in Judges 15:17 means 'the height of Lechi' or 'Jawbone Hill,' further emphasizing the topographical feature.
Semantic Range
The location of Lechi is theologically significant as a stage for God's sovereign power and provision. In Judges 15, it is where God's Spirit empowers Samson for victory despite Israel's compromise (Judges 15:14) and where God demonstrates His mercy by providing life-giving water in response to Samson's desperate prayer (Judges 15:18-19). This narrative highlights themes of divine strength working through flawed instruments, God's faithfulness in response to prayer, and His ability to bring life and refreshment from a place of battle and death. Understanding the meaning 'jawbone' enriches the reading, connecting the weapon of victory to the very name of the place.
In the ancient Near East, places were often named for memorable events or distinctive physical features. Lechi, meaning 'jawbone,' fits this pattern. The story assumes the audience's familiarity with the strategic importance of certain locations in the tribal conflicts between Israel and the Philistines. The act of naming the spring En Hakkore ('the spring of the caller') after a divine miracle was a common cultural practice to memorialize God's intervention at a specific site.
Ramath Lechi (רָמַת לֶחִי, H7437) — A more specific name for the location, meaning 'the height of Lechi' or 'Jawbone Hill,' mentioned in Judges 15:17.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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