Houghing
Summary
The practice of cutting the hamstring tendons of horses to disable them, commanded by God for captured war horses to prevent Israel from trusting in cavalry.
☩Practice
God commanded Joshua to 'hamstring their horses and burn their chariots' after defeating the Canaanite coalition (Joshua 11:6, 9). David also hamstrung captured horses, keeping only enough for 100 chariots (2 Samuel 8:4). This practice rendered horses useless for war while allowing agricultural use. It prevented Israel from developing the cavalry forces that characterized surrounding nations, keeping them dependent on God for victory.
