And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

JOSHUA 11:6KJV
Know the Bible

Joshua 11:6 (KJV)

What does Joshua 11:6 mean?

Joshua 11:6 records God telling Joshua not to be afraid of the enemy armies, because God will give them into Israel’s hands by the next day, with all the enemy soldiers killed. God also instructs Joshua to cripple the enemy horses and burn their chariots.

In this verse, the LORD (God) speaks directly to Joshua, the leader of Israel, as he faces a coalition of enemy kings with large armies and many horses and chariots. God reassures Joshua of victory and gives specific instructions about what to do with the enemy’s military resources, showing that Israel is to rely on God rather than adopting the enemy’s weapons or methods.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 11:6

  • "hough" — עָקַר (ʿāqar): This word means to hamstring or cripple. God tells Joshua to permanently disable the enemy horses, preventing Israel from using them for war, which underscores Israel’s dependence on God rather than military technology.
  • "burn" — שָׂרַף (śāraph): This word means to burn or destroy by fire. God commands Joshua to burn the chariots, again making sure Israel does not keep or rely on the enemy’s advanced equipment.

Why Joshua 11:6 matters

  • Joshua 11:6 clarifies that Israel’s victory is not due to superior weapons or numbers, but because of God’s direct intervention and promise.
  • The command to destroy the horses and chariots highlights a key theme in Israel’s history: trusting in God rather than military strength or adopting the practices of surrounding nations.
  • This verse connects to the wider story by showing God’s ongoing guidance and reassurance to Joshua, especially when facing overwhelming odds.

Where else these words appear

“hough” Hebrew H6131 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
  • 2 Samuel 8:4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.
  • Ecclesiastes 3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

“chariots” Hebrew H4818 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
  • 1 Kings 22:35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
  • Song of Solomon 6:12 Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib.

“morrow” Hebrew H4279 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 30:33 So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.
  • Joshua 3:5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.
  • 1 Samuel 28:19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

“slain” Hebrew H2491 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
  • 1 Chronicles 10:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
  • Ezekiel 11:6 Ye have multiplied your slain in this city, and ye have filled the streets thereof with the slain.