רָמַת לֶחִי (ra.mat le.chi)
ra.mat le.chi
Ramath-lehi
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Ramath-lehi translates directly to "height of a jawbone," marking a specific location in northern Judah near the Philistine border. It appears only once in the narrative of Judges, serving as the site where Samson named the place after his decisive victory over a thousand enemy soldiers.
This single occurrence ties the geography directly to the weapon used: the jawbone of a donkey. The name functions as a permanent memorial to that event, embedding the memory of the battle into the landscape itself. Unlike common words that shift meaning across contexts, this proper noun remains fixed on that specific historical moment and its violent outcome.
While other places in Joshua share similar names like Ramath-mizpah, Ramath-lehi stands apart through its unique association with Samson’s act of deliverance. The sources confirm it as a distinct landmark, remembered not for its strategic value but for the dramatic story attached to its naming.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ramath-lehi means "height of a jawbone," marking a specific spot in northern Judah where Samson ended his battle with a thousand Philistines. This single verse in Judges records how he threw down the donkey’s jawbone and named the place after it. The location serves as a permanent memorial to that decisive moment, embedding the memory of the victory into the landscape itself.
For your faith, this story reminds us that God can use unlikely means to bring about deliverance. Samson did not rely on traditional weapons or armies; he used what was at hand. This encourages believers that God’s power is not limited by human resources or strategic advantage. Even in moments of exhaustion or weakness, divine intervention can turn the tide.
The name stands apart from other places like Ramath-mizpah because it is tied directly to this dramatic act of deliverance. It shows how history and geography can preserve spiritual truths. When you face overwhelming odds, remember that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. This place remains a testament to the fact that no situation is beyond His reach.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ramath1×
- Lehi1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רָ֥מַת1×
- לֶֽחִי\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 15:17
When he had finished speaking, he threw the jawbone out of his hand; and that place was called Ramath Lehi.
This verse marks the exact moment Samson names the site, turning a battlefield into a permanent memorial of God's deliverance.