The term "hocked" is not directly found in the Bible; however, it is often associated with the practice of hamstringing horses, a military tactic used in ancient times to incapacitate enemy cavalry. This practice is mentioned in the context of warfare in the Old Testament, particularly in the conquest narratives.

Biblical References:

1. Joshua 11:6, 9 : In the conquest of Canaan, God commanded Joshua to hamstring the horses of the Canaanite kings. "The LORD said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid of them, for by this time tomorrow I will deliver all of them slain before Israel. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.'" (Joshua 11:6). Joshua obeyed this command as recorded in verse 9: "Joshua did to them as the LORD had directed: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire."

2. 2 Samuel 8:4 : King David also employed this tactic during his military campaigns. "David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but he spared enough of them for a hundred chariots."

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient warfare, horses and chariots were significant military assets. Hamstringing, or "hocking," involved cutting the tendons of the horses' legs, rendering them useless for battle. This practice was a strategic move to ensure that the enemy could not regroup or pursue after a defeat. It was a common practice in the ancient Near East and was considered a way to neutralize the military advantage of an opponent without necessarily killing the animals.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the command to hamstring horses can be seen as an act of obedience to God's instructions, demonstrating reliance on divine power rather than military might. In the case of Joshua, it was a reminder that victory in battle was attributed to God's intervention rather than human strength or resources. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that God is the ultimate source of deliverance and victory for His people.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

The practice of hamstringing horses raises questions about the ethical treatment of animals. While the Bible does not explicitly address the morality of this specific act, it is important to consider it within the context of ancient warfare and the cultural norms of the time. The focus in the biblical narrative is on the obedience to God's commands and the strategic necessity of the action rather than the treatment of the animals themselves.

Related Topics:

· Warfare in the Old Testament
· Divine Commands and Human Obedience
· Military Strategy in Ancient Israel
· Ethical Treatment of Animals in Biblical Times

The practice of hamstringing horses, while seemingly harsh by modern standards, served a specific purpose in the context of ancient Israel's military campaigns and reflects the broader biblical themes of reliance on God and the fulfillment of His promises to His people.

Chapter xlix
... For in their anger they slew men,. In their self-will they hocked cattle. ...
"Hocked" means "hamstringed" (Meek), ie, cut the leg tendons. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

Hocked (4 Occurrences)
...Hocked (4 Occurrences). ... (ASV). Joshua 11:9 And Joshua did unto them as Jehovah bade
him: he hocked their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire. (ASV). ...
/h/hocked.htm - 7k

Hock (1 Occurrence)
... "In their selfwill they hocked an ox" (Genesis 49:6, the King James Version "digged
down a wall"), in their destructiveness maiming those which they could not ...
/h/hock.htm - 7k

Oxen (176 Occurrences)
... not thou into their council; Unto their assembly, my glory, be not thou united;
For in their anger they slew a man, And in their self-will they hocked an ox. ...
/o/oxen.htm - 38k

Simeon (48 Occurrences)
... not thou into their council; Unto their assembly, my glory, be not thou united;
For in their anger they slew a man, And in their self-will they hocked an ox. ...
/s/simeon.htm - 35k

Self-will (2 Occurrences)
... self-wil' (ratson; authades): Found once in the Old Testament (Genesis 49:6, "In
their self-will they hocked an ox") in the death song of Jacob (see HOCK). ...
/s/self-will.htm - 8k

Selfwill (2 Occurrences)
... self-wil' (ratson; authades): Found once in the Old Testament (Genesis 49:6, "In
their self-will they hocked an ox") in the death song of Jacob (see HOCK). ...
/s/selfwill.htm - 8k

Hod (1 Occurrence)

/h/hod.htm - 7k

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