Samson said, “With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps on heaps; with the jawbone of a donkey I have struck a thousand men.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 16. Asses. He insists on this particular, as such an unusual weapon rendering his victory more astonishing, and he would not leave any room for doubt. Hebrew is variously translated, “with the jaw-bone of an ass, I have made a heap, yea two heaps; with the jaw-bone of an ass, I have defeated a thousand men.” Syr. and so forth Castalion and Bonfrere defend the Vulg. The Septuagint have, “with the jaw-bone of an ass I have entirely taken them off, ( Bible. defending them) with,” and so forth They have explained chamorathayim, as the first person of emor, rubefecit, or Chal. destruxit, “I have covered them with blood;” and indeed to understand it of “two she asses,” is impossible. Calmet.—This verse formed the chorus of Samson’s song. Bible.—He did not take the glory to himself, as Josephus (verse 10,) would insinuate, but attributed the victory to God, verse 18. Salien, A.Calmet. 1172. This miracle of strength can no more be accounted for by reason, than many others. Worthington.