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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 15:8 And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter, and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/15-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/07_Jdg_15_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 15:8 - Samson's Revenge" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter, and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/15-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/15-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/15.htm">Chapter 15</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/15-7.htm" title="Judges 15:7">◄</a> Judges 15:8 <a href="/judges/15-9.htm" title="Judges 15:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He attacked them viciously and slaughtered many of them. Then he went down and stayed in a cave in the rock of Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter, and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter; and <i>afterward</i> he went down and lived in the cleft of the rock of Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter; and he went down and lived in the cleft of the rock of Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter; and he went down and lived in the cleft of the rock of Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter; and he went down and lived in the cleft of the rock of Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then he struck them without mercy, a great slaughter; and he went down and lived in the cleft of the rock of Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He tore them limb from limb and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He tore them limb from limb with a great slaughter, and he went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then Samson started hacking them to pieces with his sword. Samson left Philistia and went to live in the cave at Etam Rock. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So he attacked them violently and slaughtered them. Then he went to live in a cave in the cliff at Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He attacked them fiercely and killed many of them. Then he went and stayed in the cave in the cliff at Etam. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So he attacked them ruthlessly in a massive slaughter, then left to live in the caves of Etam. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter, and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He struck them down and defeated them. Then he went down and lived for a time in the cave in the cliff of Etam. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He struck them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and lived in the cleft of the rock of Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter. And he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He struck them hip and thigh with a great slaughter; and he went down and lived in the cave in Etam’s rock. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he strikes them hip and thigh [with] a great striking, and goes down and dwells in the cleft of the rock of Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he smiteth them hip and thigh -- a great smiting, and goeth down and dwelleth in the cleft of the rock Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will strike them leg upon thigh, a great smiting. And he will go down and dwell in the cleft of the rock Etam.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he made a great slaughter of them, so that in astonishment they laid the calf of the leg upon the thigh. And going down he dwelt in a cavern of the rock Etam. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he struck them with a tremendous slaughter, so much so that, out of astonishment, they laid the calf of the leg upon the thigh. And descending, he lived in a cave of the rock at Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />And he struck them hip and thigh—a great slaughter. Then he went down and stayed in a cleft of the crag of Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He struck them down hip and thigh with great slaughter; and he went down and stayed in the cleft of the rock of Etam.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter; and he went down and dwelt in a cave of the rock of Atmin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he struck them with slaughter from their legs and unto their loins, a great slaughter, and he went on and dwelt in an overhang of a cliff of Atmin<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he smote them leg on thigh <i>with</i> a great overthrow; and went down and dwelt in a cave of the rock Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/15-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=4532" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/15.htm">Samson's Revenge</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>And Samson told them, “Because you have done this, I will not rest until I have taken vengeance upon you.” <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: way·yaḵ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">And he struck</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·w·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/7785.htm" title="7785: šō·wq (N-fs) -- A leg. From shuwq; the leg.">ruthlessly</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3409.htm" title="3409: yā·rêḵ (N-fs) -- From an unused root meaning to be soft; the thigh; by euphem. The generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh (Adj-fs) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">with a great</a> <a href="/hebrew/4347.htm" title="4347: mak·kāh (N-fs) -- A blow, wound, slaughter. Or makkeh; from nakah; a blow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence.">slaughter,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: way·yê·reḏ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come or go down, descend. ">and then went down</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: way·yê·šeḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">and stayed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5585.htm" title="5585: bis·‘îp̄ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- A cleft, branch. From ca'aph; a fissure; also a bough.">in the cave</a> <a href="/hebrew/5553.htm" title="5553: se·la‘ (N-msc) -- A crag, cliff. From an unused root meaning to be lofty; a craggy rock, literally or figuratively.">at the rock</a> <a href="/hebrew/5862.htm" title="5862: ‘ê·ṭām (N-proper-fs) -- Three places in Isr. From ayit; hawk-ground; Etam, a place in Palestine.">of Etam.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>Then the Philistines went up, camped in Judah, and deployed themselves near the town of Lehi.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/14-19.htm">Judges 14:19</a></span><br />Then the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave their clothes to those who had solved the riddle. And burning with anger, Samson returned to his father’s house,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/16-28.htm">Judges 16:28-30</a></span><br />Then Samson called out to the LORD: “O Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, O God, just once more, so that with one vengeful blow I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.” / And Samson reached out for the two central pillars supporting the temple. Bracing himself against them with his right hand on one pillar and his left hand on the other, / Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-47.htm">1 Samuel 14:47-48</a></span><br />After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them. / He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-25.htm">1 Samuel 18:25-27</a></span><br />Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king desires no other dowry but a hundred Philistine foreskins as revenge on his enemies.’” But Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines. / When the servants reported these terms to David, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the wedding day arrived, / David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented them as payment in full to become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave his daughter Michal to David in marriage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/23-1.htm">1 Samuel 23:1-5</a></span><br />Now it was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors.” / So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” / But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-17.htm">2 Samuel 5:17-25</a></span><br />When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold. / Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. / So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/8-1.htm">2 Samuel 8:1-14</a></span><br />Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute. / David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/21-15.htm">2 Samuel 21:15-22</a></span><br />Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel, and David and his servants went down and fought against the Philistines. But David became exhausted. / Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, resolved to kill David. / But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-15.htm">1 Kings 11:15-16</a></span><br />Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom. / Joab and all Israel had stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/11-22.htm">1 Chronicles 11:22-23</a></span><br />And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion. / He also struck down an Egyptian, a huge man five cubits tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s beam in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/14-8.htm">1 Chronicles 14:8-17</a></span><br />When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went out to face them. / Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim. / So David inquired of God, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will deliver them into your hand.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/18-1.htm">1 Chronicles 18:1-13</a></span><br />Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute. / As far as Hamath, David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah, who had marched out to establish his dominion along the Euphrates River. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-12.htm">Matthew 11:12</a></span><br />From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/9-54.htm">Luke 9:54-56</a></span><br />When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” / But Jesus turned and rebuked them. / And He and His disciples went on to another village.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/2-15.htm">John 2:15-17</a></span><br />So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. / To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!” / His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelled in the top of the rock Etam.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/25-10.htm">Isaiah 25:10</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/63-3.htm">Isaiah 63:3,6</a></b></br> I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people <i>there was</i> 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… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/10-18.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/judges/11-12.htm">Attacked</a> <a href="/joshua/22-20.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/joshua/10-27.htm">Cave</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-6.htm">Cleft</a> <a href="/judges/14-4.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/judges/5-26.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/judges/11-3.htm">Dwelleth</a> <a href="/judges/11-26.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/11-6.htm">Etam</a> <a href="/genesis/32-32.htm">Hip</a> <a href="/judges/13-19.htm">Rock</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-53.htm">Ruthlessly</a> <a href="/judges/8-19.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/judges/11-33.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-31.htm">Slaughtered</a> <a href="/judges/8-11.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/joshua/20-3.htm">Smiting</a> <a href="/judges/14-19.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/judges/14-19.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/judges/3-21.htm">Thigh</a> <a href="/judges/9-51.htm">Top</a> <a href="/judges/9-4.htm">Uncontrolled</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/15-12.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/judges/18-27.htm">Attacked</a> <a href="/judges/18-25.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/judges/15-11.htm">Cave</a> <a href="/judges/15-11.htm">Cleft</a> <a href="/judges/15-16.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/judges/20-43.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-4.htm">Dwelleth</a> <a href="/judges/18-7.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/judges/15-11.htm">Etam</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/19-4.htm">Hip</a> <a href="/judges/15-11.htm">Rock</a> <a href="/job/30-21.htm">Ruthlessly</a> <a href="/judges/21-11.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-25.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-25.htm">Slaughtered</a> <a href="/judges/15-15.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-8.htm">Smiting</a> <a href="/judges/15-15.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/judges/15-15.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-24.htm">Thigh</a> <a href="/judges/15-11.htm">Top</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-3.htm">Uncontrolled</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-1.htm">Samson is denied his wife</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-3.htm">He burns the Philistines' corn with foxes and firebrands</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-6.htm">His wife and her father are burnt by the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-8.htm">Samson smites them hip and thigh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-9.htm">He is bound by the men of Judah, and delivered to the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-14.htm">He kills them with a jawbone</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-18.htm">God makes the fountain En-hakkore for him in Lehi</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter</b><br>This phrase describes Samson's retaliation against the Philistines after they burned his wife and her father. The term "ruthlessly" indicates the severity and intensity of Samson's actions, reflecting the cycle of violence between the Israelites and the Philistines. The "great slaughter" signifies a significant victory for Samson, who was empowered by the Spirit of the Lord (<a href="/judges/14-19.htm">Judges 14:19</a>). This act of vengeance is part of the larger narrative of Samson's judgeship, where he is often seen as a flawed deliverer of Israel, prefiguring the ultimate deliverance through Christ, who would conquer sin and death.<p><b>and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam</b><br>The "rock of Etam" is a geographical location in the territory of Judah. Caves were often used as places of refuge or hiding in ancient times, as seen in other biblical accounts (<a href="/1_samuel/22.htm">1 Samuel 22:1</a>, <a href="/1_kings/19-9.htm">1 Kings 19:9</a>). Samson's retreat to the cave may symbolize a temporary withdrawal from conflict, reflecting a pattern of seeking solitude after significant events, similar to how Jesus withdrew to pray (<a href="/luke/5-16.htm">Luke 5:16</a>). The rock of Etam's exact location is uncertain, but it is believed to be in the hill country of Judah, emphasizing the strategic and protective nature of such sites. This setting underscores the tension between Samson's role as a judge and his personal struggles, highlighting the need for a perfect deliverer, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/samson.htm">Samson</a></b><br>A judge of Israel known for his supernatural strength, given by God, and his Nazirite vow. In this passage, he is retaliating against the Philistines.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>The enemies of Israel during the time of the Judges. They oppressed the Israelites, leading to various conflicts, including those involving Samson.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/cleft_of_the_rock_of_etam.htm">Cleft of the Rock of Etam</a></b><br>A location where Samson sought refuge after his attack on the Philistines. It symbolizes a place of temporary safety and strategic retreat.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/righteous_anger_and_justice.htm">Righteous Anger and Justice</a></b><br>Samson's actions, though violent, were part of God's plan to deliver Israel from Philistine oppression. This raises questions about the nature of righteous anger and justice in the context of God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_refuge_in_god.htm">Seeking Refuge in God</a></b><br>Just as Samson sought refuge in the cleft of the rock, believers are encouraged to seek refuge in God during times of trouble. God is our ultimate protector and source of strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_personal_vendettas.htm">Consequences of Personal Vendettas</a></b><br>Samson's actions were driven by personal vendetta, which can lead to further conflict and strife. Believers are called to seek God's guidance and wisdom in handling conflicts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a></b><br>Despite human flaws and motivations, God's sovereign plan is at work. Samson's life illustrates how God can use imperfect people to achieve His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_jesus_judge_(john_8_15_vs._5_22).htm">Did Jesus judge others? (John 8:15 vs. John 5:22)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_jesus's_testimony_meet_witness_rules.htm">John 8:14-18: How do Jesus's statements about His testimony reconcile with other biblical passages that require two or more witnesses?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/leviticus_8_15-17__blood_source_and_safety.htm">In Leviticus 8:15-17, where does the blood used for the purification truly come from, and how did they handle potential health risks?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_abimelech's_rule_conflict_with_ot.htm">Does the account of Abimelech's violent rule conflict with other Old Testament portrayals of just leadership (Judges 9:22-24)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">Hip and thigh.</span>--There is no doubt that the expression intensifies the words "with a great slaughter;" but the origin of the phrase is a matter of conjecture. It may be purely general, like the German expression "<span class= "ital">Arm und Bein," </span>or "<span class= "ital">er hieb den Feind in die Pfanne," </span>or "in <span class= "ital">Kochstcke</span>" ("A blow strikes a fugitive on the hip, and that would be enough; another blow on the thigh ends him"). "Hence," says Ewald, "it means thigh over and above"--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>besides the hip. It cannot possibly mean "cavalry and infantry," as the Chaldee renders it, or be a reference to wrestling (Greek, <span class= "ital">huposkelizein</span>)<span class= "ital">; </span>nor is it likely to have a sacrificial origin ("good and bad pieces"). It is hard to see what St. Jerome means by his gloss "<span class= "ital">ita ut slupentes suram femori imponerent." </span>Literally it is, <span class= "ital">thigh upon hip, </span>or <span class= "ital">leg upon thigh </span>(LXX., <span class= "greekheb">?????? ??? ?????</span>)<span class= "ital">. </span>May it not have had its origin in some such fierce custom as that known to the Greeks as <span class= "ital">akroteriasmos, </span>or <span class= "ital">maschalismos, </span>in which the extremities of a corpse were cut off and placed under the arm-pits? ('sch. <span class= "ital">Cho. </span>439; Soph. <span class= "ital">El. </span>445.) Thus in Hesychius and Suidas <span class= "ital">maschalismata </span>means "mutilated limbs," and also "the flesh of the shoulders laid on the haunches at sacrifices."<p><span class= "bld">With a great slaughter.</span>--It is not said, nor is it necessarily implied (any more than in the case of Shamgar), that Samson was absolutely alone in these raids. There is nothing either in the narrative or in the ordinary style of Hebrew prose which makes any such inference necessary, nor, indeed, is there any such inference drawn in many similar passages (<span class= "ital">e.g., </span>Judgesi. 20, &c.).<p><span class= "bld">In the top of the rock Etam.</span>--It should undoubtedly be <span class= "ital">in a ravine </span>(or cave) <span class= "ital">of the cliff Etam. </span>For instance, in <a href="/judges/15-11.htm" title="Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Know you not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that you have done to us? And he said to them, As they did to me, so have I done to them.">Judges 15:11</a> the men of Judah could not go <span class= "ital">down </span>to the top of a rock, and the same word is rendered "cleft" in <a href="/isaiah/57-5.htm" title="Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clefts of the rocks?">Isaiah 57:5</a>, and should be so rendered for "top" in <a href="/isaiah/3-21.htm" title="The rings, and nose jewels,">Isaiah 3:21</a> (LXX., "in a hole of the rock," and "in the cave of Etam;" Vulg., <span class= "ital">in spelunca petrae</span>)<span class= "ital">. </span>This explains the expression "went down" in this verse, and "brought him up" in <a href="/judges/15-13.htm" title="And they spoke to him, saying, No; but we will bind you fast, and deliver you into their hand: but surely we will not kill you. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.">Judges 15:13</a>. Such cliff-caves are the natural refuge of oppressed peoples (<a href="/judges/6-2.htm" title="And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.">Judges 6:2</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/13-6.htm" title="When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.">1Samuel 13:6</a>; <a href="/1_kings/18-13.htm" title="Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?">1Kings 18:13</a>). These caves, like the cave of Aduliam, are often supplied with water by natural springs, and one man may defend them against a multitude. The LXX. (Cod. A) add the words "by the torrent." The site of Etam is uncertain; but it is in the tribe of Judah, which Samson only enters once, or, possibly (<a href="/judges/16-3.htm" title="And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron.">Judges 16:3</a>), twice, and then only as a fugitive. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He smote them hip and thigh</span>, etc. A proverbial expression, the origin of which is uncertain; it means, he smote them with a great and complete slaughter. It is reasonable to suppose that he had gathered a few Hebrews round him to help him. <span class="cmt_word">He went down</span>, etc. This shows that <span class="accented">Etam</span> must have been situated lower than Tinmath, and seems to preclude its identification with <span class="accented">Urtas</span>, in the hill country of Judah, between Bethlehem and Tekoah, which apparently represents the <span class="accented">Etam</span> of <a href="/2_chronicles/11-6.htm">2 Chronicles 11:6</a>. But there is another Etam in the tribe of Simeon (<a href="/1_chronicles/4-32.htm">1 Chronicles 4:32</a>), which may possibly be the Etam of our text. <span class="cmt_word">In the top of the rock</span>. Rather, the <span class="accented">cleft or fissure</span> of the rock - some narrow and inaccessible ravine. The site has not been identified. <p> CHAPTER 15:9-20 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/15-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And he struck</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֨ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them ruthlessly</span><br /><span class="heb">שׁ֛וֹק</span> <span class="translit">(šō·wq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7785.htm">Strong's 7785: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, leg</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with a great</span><br /><span class="heb">גְדוֹלָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> </span><span class="str2">Great, older, insolent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">slaughter,</span><br /><span class="heb">מַכָּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(mak·kāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4347.htm">Strong's 4347: </a> </span><span class="str2">A wound, carnage, pestilence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and then went down</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֣רֶד</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·reḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come or go down, descend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and stayed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֔שֶׁב</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·šeḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the cave</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּסְעִ֖יף</span> <span class="translit">(bis·‘îp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5585.htm">Strong's 5585: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fissure, a bough</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at the rock</span><br /><span class="heb">סֶ֥לַע</span> <span class="translit">(se·la‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5553.htm">Strong's 5553: </a> </span><span class="str2">A craggy rock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Etam.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵיטָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·ṭām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5862.htm">Strong's 5862: </a> </span><span class="str2">Etam -- three places in Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/15-8.htm">Judges 15:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/15-8.htm">Judges 15:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/15-8.htm">Judges 15:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/15-8.htm">Judges 15:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/15-8.htm">Judges 15:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/15-8.htm">Judges 15:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/15-8.htm">Judges 15:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/15-8.htm">Judges 15:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/15-8.htm">Judges 15:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/15-8.htm">Judges 15:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/15-8.htm">OT History: Judges 15:8 He struck them hip and thigh (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/15-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 15:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 15:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/15-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 15:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 15:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>