Judges 15:8

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

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}.

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.

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

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

Judges 15:8 describes a pivotal moment in Samson's ongoing conflict with the Philistines, showcasing his immense strength and the intensity of his personal retribution. After a devastating act of vengeance, Samson seeks refuge, highlighting his solitary nature as a deliverer for Israel.

Context

This verse follows a dramatic escalation of hostilities between Samson and the Philistines. Earlier, Samson had avenged a perceived slight by burning their fields with 300 foxes. In retaliation, the Philistines burned Samson's wife and her father with fire (Judges 15:6). Judges 15:8 is Samson's fierce response to this act, a personal vendetta that spirals into a significant military defeat for the Philistines. This period, the era of the Judges, was marked by cyclical oppression by foreign powers and God's raising up of deliverers for Israel (Judges 2:16).

Key Themes

  • Vengeance and Retribution: Samson's "great slaughter" is a direct, violent response to the Philistines' brutality. It underscores the theme of personal vengeance, though it also serves as a form of divine judgment against Israel's oppressors.
  • Supernatural Strength: The verse vividly portrays Samson's extraordinary, God-given strength, a hallmark of his narrative. This power allowed him to inflict such a devastating blow single-handedly, further demonstrating the unique empowerment he received as a Nazirite (Judges 13:5). His strength is often highlighted, as seen when he tore a lion apart with his bare hands.
  • Solitary Deliverer: Unlike other judges who led armies, Samson consistently acts alone, relying on his individual strength. After his violent act, he retreats to the "rock Etam," emphasizing his isolation and the unique, often unconventional, nature of his role.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "smote them hip and thigh" is an ancient idiomatic expression. It signifies a complete, overwhelming, and devastating defeat. It suggests a relentless and thorough assault, implying that Samson struck indiscriminately and with full force, ensuring a comprehensive slaughter. This idiom highlights the totality of the Philistine loss at Samson's hands.

Practical Application

While Samson's story is filled with violence and personal vengeance, it serves as a powerful reminder of God's ability to use even flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes in difficult times. Samson's actions, though driven by personal grievance, contributed to the deliverance of Israel from Philistine oppression. For believers today, this passage encourages reflection on the nature of justice and retribution. While we are not called to physical violence, we are exhorted to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21) and to engage in spiritual warfare by putting on the full armor of God, rather than seeking personal retribution.

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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.