Judges 15:8

KJV

And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he smote {H5221} them hip {H7785} and {H5921} thigh {H3409} with a great {H1419} slaughter {H4347}: and he went down {H3381} and dwelt {H3427} in the top {H5585} of the rock {H5553} Etam {H5862}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Infuriated, he began killing them right and left; it was a massacre. Then he went down and stayed in the cave at the 'Eitam Rock.

Berean Standard Bible

And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter, and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam.

American Standard Version

And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the cleft of the rock of Etam.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 15:8 powerfully narrates Samson's brutal and decisive retaliation against the Philistines, a direct consequence of their burning of his wife and father-in-law. This verse vividly portrays his divinely-empowered strength as he inflicts an overwhelming and comprehensive defeat, encapsulated by the graphic idiom "smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter." Immediately following this act of personal vengeance and initial deliverance for Israel, Samson strategically withdraws to the isolated and defensible stronghold of the rock Etam, highlighting his unique and solitary role as one of God's judges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic response to the Philistines' horrific act of burning Samson's wife and her father, detailed in [Judges 15:6](/judges/15-6 "Judges 15:6 - Philistine Retribution Against Samson's Wife"). The conflict began earlier when Samson, angered by his wife's betrayal and subsequent marriage to another, retaliated by [burning the Philistine grain fields](/judges/15-5 "Judges 15:5 - Samson's Fox Vengeance"). The Philistines' brutal counter-retaliation, intended to appease Samson, instead ignited his personal fury, escalating the dispute into a full-scale, bloody vendetta. Judges 15:8 marks the apex of this cycle of escalating violence, showcasing Samson's unparalleled capacity for destruction and setting the immediate stage for the Philistines' subsequent attempt to capture him, which prompts the men of Judah to intervene in [Judges 15:9-13](/judges/15-9-13 "Judges 15:9-13 - The Philistines Seek Samson").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (approximately 12th-11th centuries BC) was a turbulent era for Israel, characterized by a recurring cycle of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and divine deliverance, as succinctly summarized in [Judges 2:16-19](/judges/2-16-19 "Judges 2:16-19 - The Cycle of the Judges"). The Philistines, a powerful "Sea Peoples" group, had established a formidable presence on the southwestern coastal plain of Canaan. Renowned for their superior iron technology and military organization, they frequently oppressed the Israelites, particularly during Samson's time. The idiom "smote them hip and thigh" vividly reflects the brutal realities of ancient warfare, where close-quarters combat aimed at inflicting total incapacitation. Retreating to natural strongholds like "the rock Etam" was a common and effective defensive strategy in the rugged terrain of ancient Israel, providing both security and a strategic vantage point.
* **Key Themes:** Samson's narrative, and this verse in particular, powerfully illustrates several significant themes. Firstly, **Vengeance and Retribution** are central, as Samson's actions are consistently driven by personal grievances, yet paradoxically serve as instruments of divine judgment against Israel's oppressors. Secondly, **Supernatural Strength** is the defining characteristic of Samson; his ability to inflict such "great slaughter" single-handedly underscores the extraordinary, God-given power that sets him apart as a Nazirite, a power first demonstrated when he [tore a lion apart with his bare hands](/judges/14-6 "Judges 14:6 - Samson Kills a Lion"). Lastly, the theme of the **Solitary Deliverer** is prominent. Unlike other judges who led armies (e.g., Gideon's strategic maneuvers in [Judges 7](/judges/7 "Judges 7 - Gideon's Victory")), Samson operates almost entirely alone, relying solely on his unique strength. His retreat to Etam further emphasizes his isolation and the unconventional nature of his divine calling to begin to [deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Birth Prophecy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smote (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_):** (H5221) This primitive root signifies to strike, beat, or slay, encompassing a wide range of violent actions from a light tap to a severe, destructive blow. In the context of Judges 15:8, it denotes a relentless, overwhelming, and utterly decisive assault, leading to widespread casualties. The verb emphasizes the ferocity and effectiveness of Samson's attack, highlighting his capacity to inflict immense damage.
* **Thigh (Hebrew, _yârêk'_):** (H3409) Derived from a root meaning "to be soft," this word primarily refers to the thigh or upper leg. In the idiom "hip and thigh," it contributes to the imagery of a complete and devastating defeat. Striking the thigh, a vital area for movement and stability, signifies rendering an opponent utterly incapacitated and unable to stand or fight. It conveys a sense of total physical destruction and incapacitation.
* **Slaughter (Hebrew, _makkâh'_):** (H4347) This noun, derived from the verb _nâkâh_ (to strike), refers to a blow, wound, or, as in this context, a great killing or massacre. When coupled with the adjective "great" (H1419, _gâdôwl_), it forcefully underscores the immense scale and severity of the Philistine losses. It signifies not merely a skirmish but a decisive and overwhelming defeat resulting in a profound loss of life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he smote them hip and thigh":** This initial clause vividly describes the manner and intensity of Samson's attack. The idiomatic phrase "hip and thigh" communicates a thorough, devastating, and indiscriminate assault. It implies that Samson struck with full, unbridled force, leaving his Philistine enemies utterly overwhelmed, incapacitated, and unable to resist. It paints a picture of relentless and widespread destruction.
* **"with a great slaughter":** This phrase quantifies the horrific outcome of Samson's assault. The "great slaughter" indicates a massive loss of life among the Philistines, underscoring the extraordinary, divinely-empowered strength Samson wielded. He was able to single-handedly inflict such widespread casualties on a powerful, organized enemy, further demonstrating the supernatural enablement at work through him.
* **"and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam":** This final clause describes Samson's immediate action following his violent act of retribution. His withdrawal to "the rock Etam" signifies a strategic retreat to a natural, defensible fortress, providing safety, refuge, and a commanding vantage point. This act also highlights Samson's characteristic solitary nature and his tendency to operate independently, seeking isolated refuge after his exploits rather than rallying Israelite forces. The "top of the rock" emphasizes the elevated, secure position he sought.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 15:8 employs several potent literary devices that amplify its impact. **Hyperbole** is powerfully evident in the idiom "smote them hip and thigh," which, while describing a genuinely devastating defeat, uses exaggerated or vivid imagery to convey the totality and ferocity of Samson's attack. This emphasizes the extraordinary nature of his strength and the sheer scale of the Philistine loss. The broader narrative of Samson, including this verse, is deeply imbued with **Irony**: God sovereignly uses a deeply flawed, self-serving, and often violent individual to initiate the deliverance of His people. Samson's personal vendettas, though driven by selfish motives, paradoxically serve God's broader purpose of judging the Philistines and beginning Israel's liberation. Furthermore, the description of Samson's solitary action and his subsequent retreat to a natural stronghold serves as a strong form of **Characterization**, reinforcing his unique, often isolated, and unconventional role as a judge, distinct from others who led communal armies.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 15:8, though depicting a brutal act of vengeance, must be understood within the broader theological framework of the book of Judges and God's sovereign plan for His people. While Samson's motives were often personal and driven by retribution, his actions nonetheless served as an instrument of divine judgment against the oppressive Philistines. God, in His infinite wisdom and power, is capable of using even the flawed, violent, and morally ambiguous acts of human agents to accomplish His righteous purposes and to initiate the deliverance of His covenant people. This passage reminds us that God's justice will ultimately prevail, even when delivered through unconventional means or by human hands that are far from perfect. It highlights God's enduring patience with His wayward people and His faithfulness in raising up deliverers, however imperfect, in response to their cries for salvation.

* [Judges 3:9](/judges/3-9 "God Raises Up Othniel")
* [Psalm 18:47](/psalm/18-47 "God Avenge Me")
* [Isaiah 45:7](/isaiah/45-7 "God Forms Light and Creates Darkness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samson's story, particularly this violent episode, challenges believers to grapple with the complexities of divine action through human instruments. While Samson's personal vengeance is not presented as a model for Christian behavior, the narrative powerfully underscores God's ability to work through imperfect individuals and difficult circumstances to achieve His redemptive purposes. For believers today, this passage serves as a profound reminder that our ultimate victory is not achieved through physical violence, personal retribution, or worldly power, but through spiritual warfare, relying on God's strength and wisdom. We are called to overcome evil with good, to extend grace and forgiveness, and to trust in God's perfect justice and timing, rather than seeking our own. It encourages us to discern God's hand even in the messy realities of history and to recognize that His power is often made perfect in weakness, manifesting in ways that defy human expectation. Our strength for spiritual battle, and for living a life pleasing to God, comes solely from the Lord, not from our own might, cleverness, or desire for vengeance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Samson's personal vendetta intersect with God's broader purposes for Israel's deliverance, and what does this teach us about God's sovereignty?**
* **What does Samson's solitary nature reveal about the unique challenges and callings of leadership, especially when empowered by God in unconventional ways?**
* **How can believers today rely on God's strength to overcome spiritual adversaries and injustices without resorting to worldly methods of retribution or violence?**

### FAQ

**What does "smote them hip and thigh" mean?**

Answer: "Smote them hip and thigh" is an ancient Hebrew idiom that vividly describes a complete, overwhelming, and devastating defeat or slaughter. It conveys the idea that Samson attacked the Philistines with such ferocity and thoroughness that they were utterly incapacitated and destroyed, leaving no one able to resist or stand. It emphasizes the totality of the Philistine loss at Samson's hands, highlighting the immense scale of the "great slaughter" mentioned in the verse. The phrase likely refers to striking opponents in vital areas (like the hip and thigh) to ensure complete incapacitation and death, signifying an all-encompassing defeat.

**Why did Samson retreat to the rock Etam after this battle?**

Answer: Samson retreated to the "rock Etam" for several strategic and characteristic reasons. Firstly, it was a highly defensible natural stronghold, offering him immediate refuge and protection from potential Philistine retaliation following his massive slaughter. Such rock formations provided excellent natural fortifications in ancient times. Secondly, his retreat underscores Samson's characteristic solitary nature as a judge; unlike other judges who rallied and led armies, Samson consistently acted alone, relying solely on his supernatural strength. His withdrawal to an isolated stronghold emphasizes his unique, often unconventional, and individualistic approach to confronting the Philistines. This action also serves to set the stage for the subsequent events where the Philistines attempt to capture him there, requiring the men of Judah to intervene and deliver him into their hands, as described in [Judges 15:9-13](/judges/15-9-13 "Judges 15:9-13 - The Philistines Seek Samson").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson, as a judge and deliverer for Israel, serves as a powerful, albeit deeply flawed, type of Christ. His supernatural strength, enabling him to single-handedly defeat Israel's oppressors with a "great slaughter," foreshadows the infinitely greater spiritual power of Jesus Christ. While Samson's victory was a physical act of vengeance, Christ's ultimate triumph was a spiritual one, achieved not through physical violence but through self-sacrificial love on the cross. Jesus, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), decisively "smote" the spiritual enemies of humanity—sin, death, and the devil—with a "great slaughter" of their power and dominion. Just as Samson's solitary act initiated Israel's deliverance, Christ's singular atoning work on the cross achieved complete and eternal deliverance for all who believe, triumphing over principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). Samson's retreat to the rock Etam, a place of refuge and strategic advantage, can be seen as a dim shadow of Christ's own withdrawals for prayer and preparation for His ultimate confrontation, or His ascension to the heavenly "rock" from which He reigns supreme. Ultimately, Samson's strength and victory point to Christ, the true "stronger man" who binds the strong man and plunders his house ([Matthew 12:29](/matthew/12-29 "Matthew 12:29 - Binding the Strong Man")), and who, through His death, destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Defeat of Death")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 25:10

For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill.

Isaiah 63:6

And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

Isaiah 63:3

I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people [there was] none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.