And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.
JOSHUA 11:9KJVWhat does Joshua 11:9 mean?
Joshua 11:9 describes how Joshua obeyed God's command by disabling the enemy's horses and burning their chariots after a battle. This action prevented Israel from using the captured horses and chariots for themselves, following exactly what God had instructed.
In this verse, Joshua, the leader of Israel, is carrying out instructions given by the LORD after defeating a coalition of Canaanite kings. Instead of keeping the horses and chariots as spoils of war, Joshua "houghed" (hamstrung) the horses, making them unfit for battle, and set the chariots on fire. This shows Joshua's strict obedience to God's specific directions, even when it meant giving up valuable military resources.
The Hebrew behind Joshua 11:9
- "houghed" — עִקַּר (ʿiqqar): This word means to hamstring or cripple, specifically referring to cutting the leg tendons of the horses so they could not be used in war. This detail highlights a deliberate act to prevent reliance on cavalry, which was a powerful military advantage at the time.
- "burnt" — שָׂרַף (saraph): This word means to burn or destroy by fire. Burning the chariots ensured that Israel would not adopt the military technology or tactics of the Canaanites, keeping their dependence on God rather than on advanced weaponry.
Why Joshua 11:9 matters
- Joshua 11:9 clarifies that Israel's victories were not to be built on adopting the military strengths of their enemies, but on trusting God's guidance and provision.
- The verse emphasizes Joshua's complete obedience, showing that he did not keep anything God had forbidden, even when it might have seemed useful or tempting.
- This action connects to a wider biblical theme where Israel is repeatedly warned not to rely on horses and chariots (symbols of military might), but rather to trust in the LORD for their security and success.