And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This isn't just a command to destroy enemy equipment; it’s a deliberate act to prevent Israel from relying on worldly power. By hamstringing horses and burning chariots, God forces His people to depend solely on His strength, ensuring they remember who truly grants victory.
And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
A massive confederation of Canaanite kings, led by the King of Hazor, has united their forces, complete with horses and chariots, to crush Israel. In response to this formidable threat, God speaks directly to Joshua, offering reassurance and a divine strategy to disarm the enemy. The Lord promises immediate victory and commands Joshua to cripple the enemy's cavalry and war machines, ensuring Israel's reliance remains solely on God.
When facing overwhelming odds, where do you find the courage to move forward? The enemies Joshua faced were terrifyingly equipped.
This verse reveals God’s direct intervention to bolster His people’s courage.
The Weight of the Enemy
Joshua and the Israelites were up against a massive coalition of kings. Their forces were not just numerous, but also equipped with horses and chariots – a military advantage Israel lacked. This was a recipe for fear and despair. Imagine the psychological impact of seeing such power arrayed against you!
God’s Direct Intervention
God speaks directly to Joshua, not with a gentle suggestion, but a strong command: 'Do not be afraid.' This isn't just about calming nerves; it's about reorienting their perspective. God’s promise of victory ('I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel') is absolute and imminent ('tomorrow at this time'). This divine assurance was crucial for the Israelites to engage in a battle that seemed unwinnable by human strength alone. God wasn’t asking them to be brave; He was telling them they would be victorious because He was with them.
Why would God command Joshua to destroy the very military advantages – horses and chariots – that the enemy possessed?
This wasn't just about winning a battle; it was about shaping Israel's future dependence.
The Tactics of Dependence
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God’s command to 'hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire' is striking. These were the advanced military technologies of their day, representing immense power and a significant threat to the Israelites, who had neither. By destroying them, God was doing more than just neutralizing an immediate threat.
Redirecting Trust
This act served a crucial theological purpose: to prevent Israel from trusting in military might. They were to rely solely on God for victory, not on the horsepower or chariots. Deuteronomy 17:16 also warns Israelite kings against accumulating horses, emphasizing that true strength and security come from God alone. By destroying these powerful assets, God was teaching Israel a vital lesson about where their ultimate confidence should lie – not in the tools of war, but in the God of battles.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, representing His self-existence, faithfulness, and redemptive presence with His people.
yare' · Hebrew Verb
A state of mental or emotional distress caused by the presence or anticipation of danger, often contrasted in Scripture with faith and trust in God's sovereign protection.
aqar · Hebrew Verb
The act of cutting the hamstring tendons of horses to render them unfit for warfare, symbolizing a refusal to rely on military hardware for national security in favor of reliance on the LORD.
rekeb · Hebrew Noun
A two-wheeled vehicle used for transportation and warfare, in the Old Testament often representing human strength and military technology that Israel was warned not to multiply.
nathan · Hebrew Verb
Refers to God's act of delivering an enemy into the power or control of His people as an expression of His victory and sovereignty over the nations.
This passage highlights God's direct intervention in a critical military campaign. The command to hamstring horses and burn chariots wasn't just about military strategy; it was a theological act, ensuring Israel would rely solely on God's power, not on the military might and advanced warfare tactics of the surrounding nations.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Enter Promised Land
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites cross the Jordan River and begin their conquest of Canaan, following God's commands.
c. 1400 BC
Early Conquests in Canaan
Joshua leads successful campaigns against cities like Jericho and Ai, establishing an initial Israelite presence in the land.
c. 1400 BC
Gibeonite Deception
The Gibeonites trick the Israelites into a treaty, highlighting the need for divine guidance and the potential for diplomatic challenges.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Confederation of Canaanite Kings
Various Canaanite kings form a large alliance to resist the encroaching Israelites, gathering their forces near the Waters of Merom.
c. 1400 BC
Battle of the Waters of Merom
God assures Joshua of victory, enabling Israel to defeat the allied Canaanite armies, destroy their chariots and horses, and pursue them.
c. 1400 BC
Destruction of Hazor
Following the battle, Joshua captures and burns Hazor, the head of these kingdoms, symbolizing the decisive nature of the victory.
This passage provides the broader context for how Israel was to conduct warfare, emphasizing that God would be with them, which directly relates to the Lord's reassurance to Joshua in Joshua 11:6.
Exodus 14:13-14Similar to Joshua's situation, the Israelites were facing an overwhelming enemy (Pharaoh's army) and were told not to fear, as the Lord would fight for them. This highlights the consistent pattern of God empowering His people against formidable odds.
1 Samuel 17:45-47David's confrontation with Goliath shows a similar theme where a seemingly outmatched individual or group relies on God's power, not military might. David explicitly states that battles belong to the Lord, echoing the sentiment that Israel's victory wasn't due to their strength.
Psalm 20:7This psalm contrasts trusting in chariots and horses with remembering the name of the Lord. The command to hamstring horses and burn chariots in Joshua 11:6 directly enforces this principle, disabling the military assets Israel was forbidden to rely on.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29This New Testament passage speaks about God choosing the weak and foolish things to shame the strong and wise. This reflects the principle seen in Joshua's victory, where God used an army without cavalry or chariots to defeat a technologically superior foe, demonstrating that victory comes from Him.
calvinJoshua 11:1-15: "And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,"
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 shall hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.
Dixit autem Jehova ad Josuam, Ne timeas a facie eorum: cras enim hoc tempore tradam omnes istos occisos…
clarkeJoshua 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."
Be not afraid - of them - To meet such a formidable host so well equipped, in their own country, furnished with all that was necessary to supply a numerous army, required more than ordinary encouragement in Joshua's circumstances. This communication from God was highly necessar…
This isn't just a command to destroy enemy equipment; it’s a deliberate act to prevent Israel from relying on worldly power. By hamstringing horses and burning chariots, God forces His people to depend solely on His strength, ensuring they remember who truly grants victory.
A massive confederation of Canaanite kings, led by the King of Hazor, has united their forces, complete with horses and chariots, to crush Israel. In response to this formidable threat, God speaks directly to Joshua, offering reassurance and a divine strategy to disarm the enemy. The Lord promises immediate victory and commands Joshua to cripple the enemy's cavalry and war machines, ensuring Israel's reliance remains solely on God.
A massive confederation of Canaanite kings, led by the King of Hazor, has united their forces, complete with horses and chariots, to crush Israel. In response to this formidable threat, God speaks directly to Joshua, offering reassurance and a divine strategy to disarm the enemy. The Lord promises immediate victory and commands Joshua to cripple the enemy's cavalry and war machines, ensuring Israel's reliance remains solely on God.
"And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.”" — This isn't just a command to destroy enemy equipment; it’s a deliberate act to prevent Israel from relying on worldly power. By hamstringing horses and burning chariots, God forces His people to depe…
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Last reviewed October 2026