Jaw-Bone
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Jaw-Bone in the Bible?
A mandible bone from a donkey used as an improvised weapon by the figure Samson. According to the Book of Judges, it was employed to kill a thousand Philistines.
SIGNIFICANCE
The narrative highlights the use of unconventional weaponry to emphasize the protagonist's supernatural strength over military technology.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Jaw-Bone were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Jaw-Bone in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Jaw-Bone clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Jaw-Bone." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/jawbone/