שופטים, פרק ט״ו, פסוק ח׳

Samson's conflict with the Philistines reaches a boiling point. Having previously crippled their economy, he now launches a direct and deadly frontal assault. Relying entirely on his extraordinary strength, he single-handedly delivers a crushing and decisive blow [שטיינזלץ]. The sheer intensity and widespread nature of this attack are captured through a vivid anatomical image of the leg, specifically referencing the lower calf and the upper thigh [מצודת ציון].

The primary approach among commentators is that this imagery serves as a metaphor for the total destruction of the entire enemy army, encompassing both infantry and cavalry. The foot soldiers represent the lower part of the leg, while the elevated horsemen represent the upper thigh [מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, אברבנאל]. A slightly different understanding of this metaphor suggests that a horseman relies not on his thigh, but on his calf, which rests in the iron of the saddle [רש״י]. Alternatively, rather than a metaphor, this description can be understood as a physical account of the enemy's panicked retreat. Terrified, not a single Philistine dared to stand and fight. As they fled, Samson struck them down from behind. They collapsed forward onto their faces, causing their legs to fold so sharply that their calves flipped back and rested directly upon their thighs [רד״ק].

Following this massive slaughter, Samson descends to take shelter in a rocky crevice. This hiding place was a deep split or cave within a massive boulder [רש״י, שטיינזלץ]. The term used to describe this geological feature is actually borrowed from the plant world, painting a picture of a jagged crag protruding outward like a branch extending from a tree [מצודת ציון]. Samson's decision to retreat and conceal himself in this rocky cave was a necessary strategic move, as large Philistine forces were waiting in ambush for him in that area [רלב״ג, אברבנאל].