The term "houghed" refers to the act of hamstringing, which involves cutting the tendons of the hind legs of an animal, rendering it lame and unable to walk properly. This practice is mentioned in the Bible in the context of warfare and subjugation, particularly concerning horses, which were valuable assets in ancient military campaigns.

Biblical References:

1. Joshua 11:6, 9 : In the conquest of Canaan, God instructed Joshua regarding the horses and chariots of the enemy. "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 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." This act was a strategic measure to ensure that the enemy could not regroup and use their cavalry against Israel in the future.

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. And he hamstrung all the horses, but he spared enough of them for a hundred chariots." David's decision to spare some horses for his own use while disabling the rest reflects a balance between neutralizing the enemy's military capabilities and maintaining resources for Israel's own defense.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient Near Eastern warfare, horses and chariots were symbols of military strength and technological advancement. By hamstringing horses, a victorious army could effectively cripple the enemy's ability to wage war, as chariots were rendered useless without horses to pull them. This practice was not only a tactical decision but also a demonstration of dominance and control over a defeated foe.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the act of houghing horses as commanded by God to Joshua and practiced by David can be seen as an expression of reliance on divine power rather than human military might. By disabling the horses, the Israelites were reminded that their victories were not due to superior technology or numbers but to the providence and intervention of God. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that God is the ultimate source of strength and deliverance for His people.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

The practice of houghing horses raises questions about the ethical treatment of animals. While the Bible records these actions in the context of divine command and military necessity, it also reflects the harsh realities of ancient warfare. The focus in these narratives is on the strategic and symbolic aspects of the act rather than on the welfare of the animals themselves. In contemporary discussions, these passages are often examined in light of broader biblical principles of stewardship and compassion towards all of God's creation.(imp. & p. p.) of Hough.

On Genesis.
... their counsel let not my soul enter, and in their assembly let not my heart contend;
for in their anger they slew men, and in their passion they houghed a bull ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on genesis.htm

The Desolations of the Lord, the Consolation of his Saints
... Happy the day, when every war-horse shall be houghed, when every spear shall become
a pruning-hook, and every sword shall be made to till the soil which once ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the desolations of the lord.htm

Chariot-horses (3 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/c/chariot-horses.htm - 7k

Chariot (102 Occurrences)
... 2. Chariots of the Canaanites: The Canaanites had long been possessed of horses
and chariots when Joshua houghed their horses and burnt their chariots with ...
/c/chariot.htm - 55k

Houghed (4 Occurrences)
...Houghed (4 Occurrences). ... (DBY JPS). Joshua 11:9 And Joshua did unto them as the LORD
bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire. ...
/h/houghed.htm - 7k

Wantonness (6 Occurrences)
... 6 My soul, come not into their council; Mine honour, be not united with their assembly;
For in their anger they slew men, And in their wantonness houghed oxen. ...
/w/wantonness.htm - 8k

Bade (27 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV). Joshua 11:9 And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he
houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire. (KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV) ...
/b/bade.htm - 14k

Charioteers (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 18:4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand
horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen; and David houghed all the chariot ...
/c/charioteers.htm - 12k

Simeon (48 Occurrences)
... 49:5-7). The words in the Authorized Version (49:6), "they digged down a wall,"
ought to be, as correctly rendered in the Revised Version, "they houghed an ox ...
/s/simeon.htm - 35k

Ox (197 Occurrences)
... my soul not come into their council; unto their assembly let my glory not be united;
for in their anger they slew men, and in their self-will they houghed oxen ...
/o/ox.htm - 43k

Company (287 Occurrences)
... my soul not come into their council; unto their assembly let my glory not be united;
for in their anger they slew men, and in their self-will they houghed oxen ...
/c/company.htm - 40k

Hound (1 Occurrence)

/h/hound.htm - 7k

Houghed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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