The origin of this figure of speech is obscure. It was a proverbial expression for “completely,” or “entirely.” We are not told what company of Philistines Samson smote, but in all likelihood it was those who burned his wife and her father.
Top.
Literally, “cleft,” or “fissure” (see Isa. 2:21; 57:5). The place was probably an inaccessible cave in a large rock cliff. Such a location explains the expression “went down” in this verse and the “brought him up” in v. 13.
Etam.
The site of this cave is unknown. Two towns by this name are mentioned in the Bible:
(1) Khirbet el-Khôkh, southwest of Bethlehem and not far from Tekoa (2 Chron. 11:6), also near ‘Ain ‘Atan, where “Solomon’s pools,” which now supply Bethlehem, are situated; and
(2) an unidentified place in the southern part of Judah, in the tribal allotment of Simeon (1 Chron. 4:32).
The cave here mentioned, however, has not been identified with either of these places.