And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.
Joshua did exactly what the LORD had commanded him: he crippled their horses and burned their chariots with fire.
Joshua followed God's instructions precisely by destroying the enemy's military equipment rather than keeping it for his own army.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred after Joshua's victory over the northern Canaanite coalition led by King Jabin of Hazor. God had specifically commanded Joshua to hamstring the horses and burn the chariots to prevent Israel from trusting in military might rather than in God. In ancient warfare, horses and chariots represented the most advanced military technology, giving armies significant advantages in battle.
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