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. Instead of went down, and dwelt, it may be read, went, and dwelt.
Related Commentaries of Judges 15:8
Judges 15:8
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.