Judges 15:19 (KJV)

What does Judges 15:19 mean?

Judges 15:19 describes how God provided water for Samson by splitting open a hollow place in the jawbone, causing water to flow out so Samson could drink, regain his strength, and revive. Samson then named the place Enhakkore, which means “the caller’s spring,” and the location was known as Lehi.

Samson had just finished a great feat of strength and was exhausted and near death from thirst. He cried out to God, and God responded by miraculously providing water from an unexpected source. The verse highlights God’s care for Samson even after his battle, and the naming of the place marks the event for future generations.

The Hebrew behind Judges 15:19

• "God" (אֱלֹהִים, ’Elohim): This is the general Hebrew word for God, emphasizing divine power and intervention in Samson’s moment of need.
• "Clave" (בָּקַע, baqa‘): This word means to split or break open. The verse uses it to show that God dramatically opened up a place in the jawbone, not just a small trickle but a significant act.
• "Jaw" (לֶחִי, leḥi): The same word is used for both the place and the jawbone, tying the miracle directly to the earlier story where Samson used a jawbone as a weapon.
• "Enhakkore" (עֵין הַקּוֹרֵא, ‘En ha-qore’): This name means “spring of the caller” or “spring of the one who called,” directly referencing Samson’s prayer and God’s answer.

Why Judges 15:19 matters

• This verse clarifies that God’s help came after Samson’s victory, not during the fight, showing God’s care for human weakness and need.
• The naming of the place connects Samson’s personal experience to the geography of Israel, making the story memorable and rooted in a real location.
• The miracle of water from the jawbone links to other biblical stories where God provides water in desperate situations, showing a recurring theme of divine provision.