Judges 15:8 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 15:1-8

Here is, I. Samson's return to his wife, whom he had left in displeasure; not hearing perhaps that she was given to another, when time had a little cooled his resentments, he came back to her, visited her with a kid, Jdg. 15:1. The value of the present was inconsiderable, but it was intended as a token of reconciliation, and perhaps was then so used, when those that had been at variance were brought together again; he sent this, that he might sup with her in her apartments, and she with him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 15:8

And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter ,.... Either smote them on their hips and thighs with his hands (for it does not appear he had any weapon of war), so that they were sadly bruised, and maimed, and lamed, that they could not stir, and of which blows and bruises multitudes died: or he smote them with his legs on their thighs, kicked them about at pleasure, which kicks numbers of them never got over; or the meaning of the proverbial expression is, he laid on them at a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 15:8

He smote them hip and thigh - This also is variously understood; but the general meaning seems plain; he appears to have had no kind of defensive weapon, therefore he was obliged to grapple with them, and, according to the custom of wrestlers, trip up their feet, and then bruise them to death. Some translate heaps upon heaps; others, he smote horsemen and footmen; others, he wounded them from their legs to their thighs, etc., etc. See the different versions. Some think in their... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 15:8

Hip and thigh - A proverbial expression of doubtful origin, meaning all the “great” and “mighty,” all the choice pieces like the thigh and shoulder.In the top of the rock - Rather, “the cleft of the rock.” These clefts of the rock were the natural fortresses and hiding places of the land. (Isaiah 2:21; Isaiah 57:5. Compare 1 Samuel 13:6; 1 Kings 18:13.)Etam - Not the same as the place in the territory of Simeon 1 Chronicles 4:32. Its situation is uncertain, but a site near Eleutheropolis... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 15:8

Judges 15:8. He smote them hip and thigh This seems to be merely a proverbial expression to denote a desperate attack and total overthrow. And he went down, or, rather, went and dwelt For it is an idiom of the Hebrew language, to speak of going up, or going down, to a place without having any reference to the situation of it, whether it lay high or low. The place here spoken of, the top of the rock Etam, undoubtedly lay high, being, as Josephus informs us, a strong place in the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 15:1-20

Samson’s exploits (14:1-16:31)So dominant were the Philistines in Israel, that the Israelites had decided to live with them peacefully rather than try to rise up in armed rebellion. Samson had other ideas. He thought that his marriage to a Philistine woman would give him the opportunity to do some harm to the enemy (14:1-4).In spite of Samson’s desire to help Israel, he had little respect for either his Nazirite vow or the Israelite law. He handled a dead lion, married a Philistine woman and... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Judges 15:8

went down. Some codices, with one early printed edition, and Syriac, read "went". top = cleft. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 15:8

Judges 15:8. And he smote them hip and thigh— Houbigant renders this, and he contended with them, and slew them with a great slaughter; observing, that the idea is taken from the action of wrestlers. It seems to be a merely proverbial expression, signifying a total overthrow. The French render it, il les battit entierement, he beat them entirely; Isaiah 9:14. Etam was a strong place in the tribe of Judah, to the top of which there was a passage only capable of admitting a single man at a time.... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 15:8

8. smote them hip and thigh—a proverbial expression for a merciless slaughter. he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam—rather went down and dwelt in the cleft—that is, the cave or cavern of the cliff Etam. :-. HE IS BOUND BY THE MEN OF JUDAH, AND DELIVERED TO THE PHILISTINES. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 15:1-8

Samson’s revenge on the Timnites 15:1-8Wheat harvest took place in late May or early June in this part of Palestine. [Note: Cundall and Morris, p. 168.] Samson’s anger had cooled, and he decided to return to Timnah and arrange for the completion of his marriage. Instead of flowers or candy he took a young goat as a gift for his fiancée. The woman’s father, however, claimed that he was sure Samson so thoroughly hated his daughter because of her betrayal that he would never want to marry her.... read more