Judges 15:8 Meaning and Explanation
“And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Samson attacks the Philistines and strikes them down decisively, then withdraws to live in a cleft of the rock of Etam.
What Does Judges 15:8 Mean?
Samson falls upon the Philistines and defeats them thoroughly; the phrase hip and thigh pictures a total, sweeping blow. Having dealt the great slaughter, he retreats to a stronghold in the rock of Etam, withdrawing rather than pressing the fight.
The verse displays the strength God gave His judge against Israel's enemies, while Samson's retreat hints that even mighty deliverers seek refuge. The rock that shelters him quietly recalls a theme woven through Scripture: that God Himself is the rock and refuge of His people, the secure place to which the weary and hard-pressed may turn. What Samson sought in stone, the faithful have always found in the Lord, a stronghold that cannot be shaken.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 15:8
What does Judges 15:8 mean?
Samson attacks the Philistines and strikes them down decisively, then withdraws to live in a cleft of the rock of Etam.