לֶחִי
𐤋𐤇𐤉
Lechi
H3896 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Lechi refers to a named locality in biblical texts, appearing most notably as the place where Samson struck down the Philistines with a donkey's jawbone. The name is directly related to the Hebrew word for 'jaw' or 'jawbone.' In its place name usage, Lechi specifically designates this site and its narrative associations, rather than functioning as a common noun.
Semantic Range
proper place name (Lechi, Lehi); by association, site of jawbone-related event; connected in narrative to a specific incident involving Samson and the Philistines
Root / Etymology
From the root לחי (lamed-chet-yod), meaning 'cheek' or 'jaw.' The place name לֶחִי (Lechi) derives from this noun, likely referencing a geographic feature or an event involving a jawbone. The root conveys physical anatomy, but in this context, it is fixed as a proper place name.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical narrative, Lechi is best known as the location where Samson, according to Judges 15, defeated a Philistine force with the jawbone of a donkey. The text connects the etymology of the name with the incident itself, offering a narrative etiology for the place name. 'Ramat Lechi' (רָמַת לֶחִי, meaning 'height of the jawbone') appears as a more specific locale, possibly identifying a hill or elevated area associated with the jawbone story. The name Lechi is attested only in connection with this episode, with no evidence for use as a settlement or village name in other periods. In later translations and traditions, the name sometimes appears as 'Lehi,' but this is not a distinct word. The association with anatomy is unique among biblical place names, likely indicating a local topographic feature, a commemorative event, or both. Modern English translations typically transliterate the name, as its literal meaning does not carry over as a toponym. The location of Lechi/Ramat Lechi is uncertain but is traditionally situated in the territory of Judah or the Shephelah region.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a form of לְחִי; Lechi, a place in Palestine; Lehi. Compare also רָמַת לֶחִי.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
לחי (l-ḥ-y) — jaw, cheek, jawbone, curved form
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3895 | לְחִי | in the jaw |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3896-01 |
בַּ/לֶּֽחִי | balechi | HRd/Np |
in Lehi | in Lechi | 2 |
H3896-02 |
לֶ֔חִי | lechi | HNp |
Lehi | Lechi | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3896-01 |
Judges 15:9 | בַּ/לֶּֽחִי | balechi | HRd/Np |
in Lehi | in Lechi |
H3896-02 |
Judges 15:14 | לֶ֔חִי | lechi | HNp |
Lehi | Lechi |
H3896-01 |
Judges 15:19 | בַּ/לֶּ֔חִי | balechi-2 | HRd/Np |
in Lehi | in Lechi |