Literally, “jaw.” This locality likely did not carry that name until after the events which the author is about to relate (see on v. 19). The site of Lehi is not known. Those who locate Etam near Bethlehem prefer a location near there, but those who place Etam near Zorah favor a location in the Wadi eṣ-Ṣarâr in the vicinity of Zorah and Timnath.

Samson was of the tribe of Dan, but this tribe had received its inheritance within the tribe of Judah. The Philistines, in battle array, went up against the Hebrews to take vengeance for the terrible damage Samson had inflicted.