Joshua 11 9

Joshua 11:9 kjv

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

Joshua 11:9 nkjv

So Joshua did to them as the LORD had told him: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.

Joshua 11:9 niv

Joshua did to them as the LORD had directed: He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots.

Joshua 11:9 esv

And Joshua did to them just as the LORD said to him: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.

Joshua 11:9 nlt

Then Joshua crippled the horses and burned all the chariots, as the LORD had instructed.

Joshua 11 verses

Joshua 11 9 Meaning

Joshua 11:9 states that Joshua precisely followed the LORD's command by disabling the captured warhorses (hamstringing them) and utterly destroying the captured war chariots (burning them). This act ensured that Israel would not rely on captured military technology but rather on God's power for their victories.

Joshua 11 9 Context

Joshua chapter 11 narrates the culmination of the northern campaign of the Israelite conquest under Joshua. After decisively defeating the southern coalition, Joshua faces a formidable alliance of northern kings led by Jabin of Hazor, equipped with a vast army, horses, and chariots – superior military technology for the era. The LORD explicitly commands Joshua not to fear them (v. 6), promising victory and specifically instructing him to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots (v. 6). Verse 9 affirms Joshua's faithful and immediate obedience to this divine directive after securing a decisive victory. This act prevented Israel from adopting powerful foreign military methods that could lead to misplaced reliance and highlighted God's sovereignty over earthly power.

Joshua 11 9 Word analysis

• Joshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ - Yehoshua): The appointed leader of Israel. His name means "The LORD is salvation," highlighting that the success of the conquest came through God, not solely human might. His actions in this verse embody the principle that true leadership is marked by faithful obedience to God's commands.
• did (וַיַּעַשׂ - vayya'as): From the Hebrew root עשׂה ('asah), meaning "to do, make, accomplish." The immediate and full completion of the task signifies Joshua's prompt obedience to the divine directive, demonstrating a deep trust in God's wisdom over conventional military logic.
• to them (לָהֶם - lahem): Refers to the collective forces and equipment of the defeated northern kings, specifically the horses and chariots mentioned as captured spoils in the broader context of the battle.
• as (כַּאֲשֶׁר - ka'asher): A conjunctive adverb meaning "just as," "in accordance with," or "according to what." It stresses the precise and literal adherence to the instructions received. There was no deviation or modification by Joshua.
• the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal relationship with Israel and His supreme authority. The command came from the ultimate divine Commander, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty in matters of war and national policy.
• had directed (צִוָּה - tzivvah): From the Hebrew root צוה (tzavah), "to command, instruct, order, charge." This denotes a definitive, non-negotiable directive, not merely a suggestion. It signifies a divine imperative given with full authority.
• He hamstrung (וַיְעַקֵּר - vay'akkeir): From the root עָקַר (aqar), meaning "to root up, pull up, disable, cripple." This refers to severing the tendons in a horse's hind legs, permanently incapacitating it for warfare or any other rigorous activity. This brutal act ensured that the valuable warhorses were rendered utterly useless rather than integrated into Israel's forces, reinforcing Israel's unique dependence on God for victory.
• their horses (סוּסִיהֶם - susiyim): Referring to the highly prized warhorses used by Canaanite armies. Horses represented speed, mobility, and military power in ancient warfare, often used in conjunction with chariots to devastating effect.
• and burned (וַיִּשְׂרֹף - vayisrof): From the Hebrew root שׂרף (saraf), meaning "to burn, consume with fire." This denotes complete and irreversible destruction. It leaves nothing salvable, ensuring total obliteration of the military assets.
• their chariots (מֶרְכְּבוֹתֵיהֶם - merk'bvoteyhem): Advanced war machines of the era, akin to modern tanks. Chariots provided a stable platform for archers or spearmen, offering superior mobility and impact on flat terrain. Their destruction ensured Israel would not adopt or rely on this significant military technology.

• "Joshua did... as the LORD had directed": This phrase forms the thematic core, highlighting Joshua's absolute obedience and the divine mandate behind the seemingly irrational military strategy. It demonstrates Israel's unique way of warfare, guided by God's commands, distinct from other nations' reliance on material strength. This reinforces the covenant relationship where Israel's success is contingent on fidelity to YHWH.
• "He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots": These two specific actions embody a profound theological message. Instead of seizing and integrating a superior military advantage into their own arsenal—a move any human general would consider logical—Joshua actively destroys it. This teaches Israel a vital lesson: their strength and victory do not come from human military might or advanced weaponry, but from the LORD Himself. This act prevents them from developing a carnal reliance on military hardware that could displace their trust in God, functioning as a safeguard against a spirit of self-sufficiency.

Joshua 11 9 Bonus section

• The instruction to hamstring horses and burn chariots ensured that Israel remained distinct from surrounding nations that heavily relied on such advanced military technology. It underlined Israel's identity as a nation whose warfare was supernatural and Spirit-led, rather than based on conventional arms.
• The act serves as a continuous reminder for future generations about where Israel's true strength lies. By physically destroying these implements of war, YHWH ingrained the lesson that reliance on worldly might (horses and chariots representing a nation's "pride") is futile, anticipating prophetic warnings against similar reliance (e.g., Isa 31:1).
• From a strategic standpoint, disabling these assets also eliminated any potential for them to fall into enemy hands again or be used against Israel if not thoroughly destroyed. It was a comprehensive neutralization of threat, orchestrated by divine wisdom.
• The destruction of valuable war assets also had an economic impact on the defeated nations, weakening their ability to re-emerge as threats while preventing Israel from accumulating material wealth that could foster greed or self-sufficiency, away from their spiritual calling.

Joshua 11 9 Commentary

Joshua 11:9 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating Joshua's profound obedience to the LORD's seemingly unconventional command during the conquest. By hamstringing the horses and burning the chariots, Joshua destroyed the pinnacle of ancient military technology, demonstrating Israel's utter reliance on God rather than worldly power. This act was not a mere tactical maneuver but a powerful theological statement: true victory and security for God's people reside solely in His omnipotence, not in human strength or technological superiority. It reinforced the core principle that YHWH alone fights for Israel and ensures their success, preventing any temptation for them to trust in their own acquired military assets over their covenant God. This command prevented the very pride and idolatry of power that often accompanies military might.