Joshua 11:9

KJV

And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joshua {H3091} did {H6213} unto them as the LORD {H3068} bade {H559} him: he houghed {H6131} their horses {H5483}, and burnt {H8313} their chariots {H4818} with fire {H784}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hoshua did to them what ADONAI had ordered - he hamstrung their horses and burned up their chariots.

Berean Standard Bible

Joshua treated them as the LORD had told him; he hamstrung their horses and burned up their chariots.

American Standard Version

And Joshua did unto them as Jehovah bade him: he hocked their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 11:9 records Joshua’s precise and immediate execution of the LORD’s command following a decisive victory over the northern Canaanite coalition. This verse highlights the thoroughness of Israel’s obedience, as Joshua systematically disabled the enemy’s most potent military assets—their horses and chariots—by houghing the horses and burning the chariots. This act was not merely a tactical move to prevent future threats but a profound theological statement, underscoring Israel’s absolute reliance on divine power and their rejection of worldly military might as the source of their strength and security.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of the conquest of Canaan, specifically detailing the culmination of the northern campaign. Following the successful southern campaign, Joshua faced a formidable coalition of northern kings, led by Jabin of Hazor, who assembled at the waters of Merom ([Joshua 11:1-5](/joshua/11-1-5 "Joshua 11:1-5 - The Northern Coalition Against Israel")). Before the battle, the LORD had given Joshua a specific, unusual command in [Joshua 11:6](/joshua/11-6 "Joshua 11:6 - God's Command to Joshua Before Battle"): "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 11:9 serves as the direct fulfillment of this divine directive, demonstrating Israel’s unwavering obedience and God’s sovereign control over the battlefield and the spoils of war. The subsequent verses ([Joshua 11:10-15](/joshua/11-10-15 "Joshua 11:10-15 - Conquest of Hazor and Other Cities")) detail the thoroughness of the conquest, emphasizing that Joshua "left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses."

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, horses and chariots represented the pinnacle of military technology and power. Chariots were fast, mobile weapon platforms, capable of devastating charges, and were often the decisive factor in battles. Nations like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Hittites were renowned for their chariot forces. For Israel, a people primarily composed of foot soldiers, confronting an enemy with chariots presented a significant military disadvantage. God's command to destroy these assets, rather than integrate them into Israel's own army, was profoundly counter-cultural. It prevented Israel from adopting the military strategies and, by extension, the reliance on human strength characteristic of the surrounding nations. This act underscored their unique identity as a people whose strength derived solely from their covenant relationship with Yahweh, not from accumulated weaponry or military prowess.

* **Key Themes:** Joshua’s actions in this verse powerfully illustrate several core themes running through the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it exemplifies **Unwavering Obedience** to God’s specific, even counter-intuitive, commands. Joshua did precisely "as the LORD bade him," demonstrating that obedience is paramount to success in God's eyes, regardless of human logic or perceived advantage. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Strategy Over Human Might**. God commanded the destruction of these valuable military assets to ensure that Israel did not place their trust in military technology or superior weaponry, but rather in His omnipotent power. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, as seen in [Psalm 20:7](/psalm/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Lord, Not Chariots"): "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." Finally, it underscores the **Prevention of Reliance on Worldly Power**. By commanding the annihilation of the symbols of worldly military might, God was continually teaching Israel to rely solely on Him for their strength, protection, and provision, setting them apart as a nation uniquely dependent on their God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Houghed (Hebrew: כָּרַת, _karat'_):** This verb means "to cut off," "to cut down," or "to disable." In the context of animals, specifically horses, it refers to the act of severing the hamstring tendons in their hind legs. This action rendered the horses permanently lame and useless for military purposes, transport, or even agricultural work. It was a definitive act of destruction, ensuring that the horses could not be recovered or repurposed by either the enemy or Israel.
* **Burnt (Hebrew: שָׂרַף, _sarap'_):** This verb means "to burn" or "to consume with fire." Applied to chariots, it signifies their complete annihilation. Chariots, typically made of wood, leather, and some metal, would be entirely destroyed by fire, leaving them irreparable and unusable. This act, combined with the houghing of horses, demonstrated a thorough and irreversible destruction of the enemy's military infrastructure, leaving no possibility of their re-use or Israel's temptation to appropriate them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him":** This opening clause immediately establishes Joshua's complete and faithful obedience. It directly references the divine command given in [Joshua 11:6](/joshua/11-6 "God's Command to Joshua Before Battle"), emphasizing that Joshua's actions were not based on his own military strategy or pragmatic considerations, but on the explicit instructions of God. The phrase "unto them" refers to the horses and chariots of the defeated northern coalition.
* **"he houghed their horses":** This specifies the first act of destruction. By houghing the horses, Joshua rendered them useless for warfare. This was a direct, physical act of disabling, ensuring that Israel would not be tempted to keep these powerful war animals for themselves, nor would the enemy be able to recover and re-mobilize them. It was a radical step, as horses were valuable assets.
* **"and burnt their chariots with fire":** This describes the second, equally decisive act. The chariots, the most advanced military vehicles of the time, were utterly destroyed by fire. This act completed the disarmament of the enemy's most potent forces and reinforced the principle that Israel's victories were not to be attributed to superior weaponry or military might, but solely to the power and command of the LORD.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Direct Fulfillment**, as the verse explicitly states that Joshua "did unto them as the LORD bade him," directly echoing the command given in [Joshua 11:6](/joshua/11-6 "God's Command to Joshua Before Battle"). This emphasizes God's sovereignty and Joshua's unwavering obedience. **Symbolism** is also at play, where "horses and chariots" serve as potent symbols of worldly power, human strength, and reliance on military might. Their destruction, therefore, symbolizes Israel's rejection of these worldly sources of security in favor of absolute trust in God. There is also an element of **Contrast**, contrasting the formidable military strength of the Canaanites with Israel's reliance on divine power, highlighting that victory belongs to the LORD, not to the strongest army. Finally, the specific, vivid verbs "houghed" and "burnt" provide **Emphasis** on the thoroughness and finality of the destruction, reinforcing the radical nature of God's command and Joshua's obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 11:9 stands as a powerful testament to the theological principle that God's people are to rely solely on Him for their security and success, rather than on human strength, military might, or material resources. This command to destroy valuable war assets was a crucial lesson for Israel, designed to cultivate a unique identity rooted in divine dependence. It taught them that their victories were miraculous interventions by God, not the result of their own strategic brilliance or superior weaponry. This theological truth is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing that true strength comes from God alone and that placing trust in worldly power leads to spiritual compromise and eventual downfall.

* [Deuteronomy 17:16](/deuteronomy/17-16 "Deuteronomy 17:16 - Prohibition of Many Horses for the King")
* [Psalm 20:7](/psalm/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Lord, Not Chariots")
* [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua’s radical obedience in destroying the horses and chariots offers a profound challenge to believers today. In a world that constantly urges us to accumulate resources, build our own security, and trust in our own abilities or material assets, this verse calls us to a counter-cultural reliance on God. Our "horses and chariots" might manifest as our careers, financial portfolios, intellectual prowess, social influence, or even our perceived self-sufficiency. God may call us to "hough" or "burn" these idols of self-reliance, not necessarily by physically destroying them, but by relinquishing our ultimate trust in them and placing it solely in Him. This act of spiritual disarmament allows us to truly experience God's provision and power, reminding us that His ways are often contrary to human wisdom, yet always perfect. It invites us to consider what we are tempted to rely on for security and success, and whether we are willing to obey God's call to divest ourselves of that reliance, trusting Him for victory in every area of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "horses and chariots"—symbols of worldly strength or security—do I tend to rely on instead of fully trusting God?**
* **In what areas of my life might God be calling me to a radical act of obedience that seems counter-intuitive or costly from a worldly perspective?**
* **How does the principle of divine strategy over human might challenge my approach to challenges and opportunities in my life?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command the destruction of valuable military assets like horses and chariots instead of allowing Israel to use them?**

Answer: God commanded the destruction of these valuable military assets primarily for two theological reasons. First, it was to prevent Israel from placing their trust in military might rather than in God's power. Horses and chariots represented the pinnacle of ancient warfare technology, and if Israel had incorporated them, they might have begun to believe their victories were due to their own strength or superior equipment, rather than God's divine intervention. This would have undermined their unique identity as a people dependent on Yahweh. Second, it served as a preventative measure against assimilation into the surrounding pagan cultures. Adopting the military strategies and technologies of the Canaanites could have led to adopting their gods and practices, compromising Israel's covenant relationship with the LORD. This command reinforced their distinctiveness and their call to be a holy nation set apart for God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua’s radical obedience in destroying the symbols of worldly power foreshadows the nature of Christ’s kingdom and the means by which He achieves victory. Unlike earthly kings who amass armies and chariots, Jesus came not with military might but in humility, riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of [Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - Prophecy of the King Coming on a Donkey"). His kingdom is explicitly declared to be "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), meaning it does not rely on worldly power structures, military force, or human wisdom for its establishment or advancement. Christ’s ultimate victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness was achieved not through a display of overwhelming force, but through His self-sacrificial obedience on the cross ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). He "disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). For believers, this means our warfare is not carnal but spiritual, our weapons are not worldly but divine ([2 Corinthians 10:4](/2_corinthians/10-4 "2 Corinthians 10:4 - Spiritual Warfare")), and our ultimate trust is in the crucified and risen Christ, who has already secured the definitive victory, rendering the "horses and chariots" of this world powerless in the face of His sovereign reign.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 11:6

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.

Ezekiel 39:9

And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:

Ezekiel 39:10

So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down [any] out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.