The term “fresh” implies that the jawbone is still strong, not dry and brittle.84 But it also implies that the jawbone is from a recently slain donkey (i.e., a polluted carcass).85 Practically speaking, Samson uses what is available (it is an improvised weapon, cf. 3:31; 4:21), but it was ritually unclean. So, in picking up this item, he again shows his disregard for his Nazirite vow. After finishing his grisly business and chanting his taunting ditty, Samson discards the jawbone, and the place receives the name, Ramath Lehi (“jawbone hill”).
