Judges 15 8

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.

Judges 15:8 nkjv

So he attacked them hip and thigh with a great slaughter; then he went down and dwelt in the cleft of the rock of Etam.

Judges 15:8 niv

He attacked them viciously and slaughtered many of them. Then he went down and stayed in a cave in the rock of Etam.

Judges 15:8 esv

And he struck them hip and thigh with a great blow, and he went down and stayed in the cleft of the rock of Etam.

Judges 15:8 nlt

So he attacked the Philistines with great fury and killed many of them. Then he went to live in a cave in the rock of Etam.

Judges 15 verses

Judges 15 8 Meaning

Judges 15:8 describes Samson's severe retaliation against the Philistines. Following their burning of his wife and father-in-law, Samson inflicted a massive and devastating defeat upon them. The phrase "hip and thigh" indicates a total and overwhelming slaughter, a merciless and thorough attack. Afterward, he withdrew to a secure natural stronghold, the rock of Etam, highlighting both his power and his need for refuge from immediate reprisal.

Judges 15 8 Context

Judges chapter 15 continues the narrative of Samson's escalating conflict with the Philistines. The preceding verses detail how Samson, having previously inflicted harm by burning their crops, attempts to reconcile with his Timnite wife, only to discover she has been given to another man. The Philistines, in response, burn his wife and father-in-law to death. Judges 15:8 captures Samson's violent response to this profound betrayal and act of aggression, marking a shift from indirect acts of defiance to a direct and brutal retaliation. This individual act of vengeance, however, serves a larger purpose within God's plan to deliver Israel from Philistine oppression, highlighting the complexities of the Judges period where divine purpose is achieved through flawed human agents. The retreat to the rock of Etam foreshadows the Philistine demand for his surrender.

Judges 15 8 Word analysis

• And he struck them: The Hebrew verb for "struck" is יַּךְ (yak). It is a strong, definitive verb indicating a decisive blow or act of hitting. In military contexts, it signifies defeating or killing. This emphasizes Samson's direct and forceful engagement.

• hip and thigh: This is an idiom in Hebrew: שׁוֹק עַל יָרֵךְ (shoq al yarekh). Shoq means 'thigh' or 'leg' (from the hip to the knee), and yarekh means 'thigh' (the upper part of the leg from the hip). The idiom literally implies striking at the limbs, suggesting a complete breaking or dismemberment of the enemy. Figuratively, it denotes an utter, devastating, and relentless defeat, where the enemy is incapacitated and left powerless. It signifies total and thorough destruction in ancient warfare, implying no escape or mercy.

• with a great slaughter: The Hebrew phrase is מַכָּה גְּדוֹלָה (makkah g'dolah). Makkah means 'blow', 'slaughter', 'defeat'. G'dolah means 'great', 'large', 'massive'. This explicitly states the outcome of Samson's "hip and thigh" striking: not just a skirmish, but a massive and decisive act of killing. It underscores the severity and magnitude of the Philistine casualties.

• and he went down: Hebrew וַיֵּרֶד (vayered). This indicates movement downwards, often implying seeking a lower, more fortified, or accessible location. It suggests Samson strategically repositioned himself after the battle.

• and stayed: The verb used is וַיֵּשֶׁב (vayeshev), meaning 'he sat down', 'he settled', or 'he resided'. It implies resting or taking up residence, suggesting a period of sustained dwelling or refuge rather than a temporary pause.

• in the cleft of the rock of Etam: Hebrew בִּסְעִיף סֶלַע עֵיטָם (bisi'if sela Eitam).

  • S'eif means 'cleft', 'fissure', 'hiding place'.
  • Sela means 'rock', specifically a strong, fortified crag.
  • Eitam is a specific geographical location, likely a natural stronghold with caves or crevices, providing natural protection and a strategic defensive position. This highlights Samson's shrewdness in choosing a place of security, typical of hideouts for ancient warriors or outlaws seeking refuge. It symbolizes a place of safety or retreat.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "he struck them hip and thigh with a great slaughter": This phrase combines the method (striking the limbs) with the extent (total incapacitation) and the outcome (great slaughter). It paints a vivid picture of Samson's destructive power and the utter devastation he inflicted upon the Philistines as a direct act of vengeance, driven by their injustice and their specific act of burning his kin.
  • "he went down and stayed in the cleft of the rock of Etam": This sequence illustrates Samson's strategic and prudent retreat. After delivering such a decisive blow, he withdraws to a place of natural fortification. This action demonstrates tactical awareness—consolidating his position and seeking safety—rather than mere impulsive revenge. It sets the stage for the subsequent events, where the Philistines and then the men of Judah seek him out.

Judges 15 8 Bonus section

The phrase "hip and thigh" has ancient Near Eastern parallels in battle accounts, often signifying an unsparing and devastating defeat, leaving no hope for the vanquished. This highlights the brutal reality of warfare in that period. Samson's choice of Etam, located in Judah's tribal territory (or close to its border), suggests he was seeking refuge among his own people, even if Judah initially struggled with its identity and willingness to confront the Philistines. The "great slaughter" is indicative of a widespread massacre rather than just a few casualties, further establishing Samson as a formidable force the Philistines would need to contend with seriously.

Judges 15 8 Commentary

Judges 15:8 presents Samson as an instrument of devastating judgment against the Philistines. The graphic imagery of "hip and thigh" underlines a complete, merciless defeat, demonstrating Samson's extraordinary physical power bestowed by the Spirit of the Lord, yet wielded with personal vengeance. While his motive here is primarily retribution for the murder of his wife and father-in-law, his actions contribute to the broader narrative of weakening Philistine dominance over Israel. His subsequent retreat to the rock of Etam is not an act of cowardice but a strategic move, showcasing practical cunning alongside his immense strength, anticipating retaliation and securing a temporary stronghold. This verse highlights the paradox of God using a deeply flawed individual, driven by personal vendetta, to execute divine judgment and initiate Israel's liberation from their oppressors.