Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, horses are often depicted as symbols of strength, power, and military might. The act of hamstringing horses, as performed by Joshua, is a significant event that underscores the Israelites' reliance on divine power rather than military strength.The account of Joshua hamstringing horses is found in the Book of Joshua, specifically in Joshua 11:6-9. The context of this event is the northern campaign of the Israelites as they sought to conquer the land of Canaan. The coalition of Canaanite kings, led by Jabin king of Hazor, amassed a formidable army, including a large number of horses and chariots, to oppose Israel. The presence of horses and chariots represented a significant military advantage, as they were the most advanced and powerful military technology of the time. In Joshua 11:6, the LORD speaks to Joshua, providing divine assurance and instruction: "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." This command highlights a key theological theme in the narrative: the victory of Israel is attributed to the LORD's intervention rather than human military prowess. Joshua's obedience to God's command is recorded in Joshua 11:9: "Joshua did to them as the LORD had directed: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire." By hamstringing the horses, Joshua rendered them useless for warfare, effectively neutralizing the military threat posed by the Canaanite coalition. This act demonstrated a rejection of reliance on conventional military strength and an affirmation of trust in God's provision and power. Theologically, the hamstringing of horses by Joshua can be seen as an expression of faith and obedience. It serves as a reminder that the people of Israel were to depend on God rather than on human means of warfare. This event also prefigures the biblical principle found in Psalm 20:7: "Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." In the broader biblical context, the act of hamstringing horses is consistent with the Deuteronomic law, which cautioned against the accumulation of horses by the king of Israel (Deuteronomy 17:16). This law was intended to prevent the Israelites from placing their trust in military might and to ensure their reliance on God. The narrative of Joshua hamstringing the horses serves as a powerful illustration of the biblical theme of divine sovereignty and the call for God's people to place their trust in Him above all else. Nave's Topical Index Joshua 11:6,9And the LORD said to Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: you shall hamstring their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. Nave's Topical Index Resources Who are the four horsemen of the apocalypse? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the seven seals of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org What was/is the importance of the gates of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org Horse: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Horse used by the Egyptians in War Horse: Dedicated to Religious Uses Horse: Description of a Vain Thing for Safety Horse: Description of Great Strength Horse: Description of Snorting and Neighing of Horse: Description of Swifter than Eagles Horse: Forbidden to the Kings of Israel Horse: Israel Reproved for Keeping The Horse in Battle Protected by Armour The Horse used for Bearing Burdens The Horse used for Conveying Posts The Horse used for Drawing Chariots The Horse used for Mounting Calvary The Horse: A Dull Headstrong Disposition The Horse: Adorned With Bells on the Neck The Horse: Beauty of the Church The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Bay The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Black The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Grisled The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Pale or Ash Colour The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Red The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: Speckled The Horse: Colours of, Mentioned: White The Horse: Dedicated to the Sun by Idolaters The Horse: Endued With Strength by God The Horse: Fed on Grain and Herbs The Horse: Fierce and Impetuous The Horse: Glorious and Triumphant Deliverance of the Church The Horse: Governed by Bit and Bridle The Horse: Hard Hoofs of, Alluded To The Horse: Impetuosity of the Wicked in Sin The Horse: Kings and Princes Rode On The Horse: Loud Snorting of, Alluded To The Horse: Notice of Early Traffic In The Horse: Numbers of, Kept for War The Horse: Often Suffered in Battle The Horse: Often Suffered in the Hoof from Prancing The Horse: Often Suffered: from Bites of Serpents The Horse: Often Suffered: from Blindness The Horse: Often Suffered: from Murrain The Horse: Often Suffered: from Plague The Horse: Prepared and Trained for War The Horse: Sold in Fairs and Markets The Horse: The Jews: Brought Back Many, from Babylon The Horse: The Jews: Condemned for Multiplying The Horse: The Jews: Condemned for Trusting To The Horse: The Jews: Forbidden to Multiply The Horse: The Jews: Imported from Egypt The Horse: The Jews: Multiplied in Solomon's Reign The Horse: The Jews: Not to Trust In The Horse: Vanity of Trusting To The Horse: Want of Understanding In, Alluded To The Horse: Warlike in Disposition Related Terms |
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