King James Version

What Does Judges 15:19 Mean?

Judges 15:19 in the King James Version says “But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. Enhakkore: that is, the well of him that called or, cried the jaw: or, Lehi”

Judges 15:19 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

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

18

And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

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. Enhakkore: that is, the well of him that called or, cried the jaw: or, Lehi

20

And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Read Judges 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 En-hakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.

This verse belongs to the Samson cycle addressing Samson's exploits of vengeance. Samson represents both the heights of God-empowered strength and the depths of human weakness through moral compromise. His Nazirite vow (Numbers 6:1-21) set him apart as holy to God, yet his persistent violations of this vow—contact with dead animals (14:8-9), seven-day feast (likely involving wine, 14:10), and finally revealing his hair's secret (16:17)—demonstrate progressive spiritual decline.

Theologically, Samson illustrates how spiritual gifts don't guarantee spiritual maturity. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Samson repeatedly, giving superhuman strength, yet this empowerment didn't produce corresponding moral transformation. His attraction to Philistine women (14:1-3, 16:1, 16:4) directly violated God's command against intermarriage with Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). This demonstrates that God can use flawed instruments for His purposes, but this never excuses or endorses sin.

Samson's final prayer—"O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me" (16:28)—shows genuine repentance and renewed faith. His death accomplished more than his life (16:30), suggesting that even spectacular failure can be redeemed when we return to God. However, the tragedy is that Samson's potential was largely wasted through moral compromise. His story warns believers that consistent holy living, not merely spectacular spiritual experiences, characterizes faithful discipleship.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: The Book of Judges spans approximately 350-400 years (c. 1375-1050 BCE) during the Late Bronze Age collapse and early Iron Age. This period saw the disintegration of major empires (Hittites, Mycenaeans) and weakening of Egyptian control over Canaan, creating a power vacuum filled by emerging peoples including Philistines (Sea Peoples), Aramaeans, and regional kingdoms. The decentralized tribal structure left Israel vulnerable to external oppression and internal chaos.

Cultural Context: This passage relates to Samson's exploits of vengeance. Canaanite religion dominated the region, centered on Baal (storm/fertility god), Asherah (mother goddess), and Anat (war goddess). Archaeological discoveries at Ugarit (Ras Shamra) have provided extensive information about Canaanite mythology and religious practices. Baal worship involved ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and fertility rites tied to agricultural seasons. Israel's persistent attraction to these gods demonstrates the strong cultural pressure to conform to surrounding nations' religious practices.

The material culture of this period shows gradual Israelite settlement in the Canaanite hill country, with simpler pottery and architecture than coastal Canaanite cities. Iron technology was beginning to spread, giving military advantage to peoples who mastered it (note the Philistines' iron monopoly, 1 Samuel 13:19-22). The absence of centralized government during the judges period stands in stark contrast to the bureaucratic city-states of Canaan and the imperial administration of Egypt and Mesopotamia. This political structure reflected Israel's theocratic ideal—God as king—yet the repeated cycles of apostasy showed this ideal required more than political structures; it demanded heart transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage about Samson's exploits of vengeance reveal God's character in dealing with persistent human rebellion and incomplete obedience?
  2. What patterns of spiritual compromise or incomplete obedience in your own life mirror Israel's failures during the judges period?
  3. How does understanding the cyclical nature of sin and deliverance in Judges help you appreciate Christ's perfect and final deliverance from sin's power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיִּבְקַ֨ע1 of 24

“clave”

H1234

to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open

אֱלֹהִ֜ים2 of 24

“But God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶת3 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמַּכְתֵּ֣שׁ4 of 24

“an hollow place”

H4388

a mortar; by analogy, a socket (of a tooth)

אֲשֶׁר5 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בַּלֶּ֗חִי6 of 24

“that was in the jaw”

H3895

the cheek (from its fleshiness); hence, the jaw-bone

וַיֵּֽצְא֨וּ7 of 24

“and there came”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִמֶּ֤נּוּ8 of 24
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

מַ֙יִם֙9 of 24

“water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וַיֵּ֔שְׁתְּ10 of 24

“thereout and when he had drunk”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

וַתָּ֥שָׁב11 of 24

“came again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

רוּח֖וֹ12 of 24

“his spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

וַיֶּ֑חִי13 of 24

“and he revived”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

עַל14 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֣ן׀15 of 24
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

קָרָ֣א16 of 24

“wherefore he called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שְׁמָ֗הּ17 of 24

“the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

עֵ֤ין18 of 24
H0
הַקּוֹרֵא֙19 of 24

“thereof Enhakkore”

H5875

en-hak-kore, a place near palestine

אֲשֶׁ֣ר20 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בַּלֶּ֔חִי21 of 24

“which is in Lehi”

H3896

lechi, a place in palestine

עַ֖ד22 of 24
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֥וֹם23 of 24

“unto this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּֽה׃24 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 15:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 15:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 44:3Genesis 45:27Genesis 16:13Psalms 34:6Genesis 30:30Isaiah 40:26

Places in This Verse

En-hakkoreSpring · Modern: Khirbet es Siyyagh · 31.75°N, 35.00°E1 verse across 1 book
LehiSettlement · Modern: Khirbet es Siyyagh · 31.75°N, 35.00°E4 verses across 2 books
View all places in Judges 15 →

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