The term "hamstring" refers to the act of cutting or disabling the hamstring muscles of an animal or person, rendering them unable to walk or function properly. In biblical times, this practice was often employed in warfare to incapacitate enemy horses, thereby diminishing their effectiveness in battle. The act of hamstringing is mentioned in several passages of the Bible, illustrating its significance in the context of ancient warfare and divine instruction.

Biblical References:

1. Joshua 11:6, 9 : In the conquest of Canaan, God commanded Joshua to hamstring the horses of the Canaanite kings. "The LORD said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid of them, for by this time tomorrow I will deliver all of them slain before Israel. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.'" Joshua obeyed this command as a demonstration of reliance on God's power rather than military might. "Joshua did to them as the LORD had told him; he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire."

2. 2 Samuel 8:4 : King David, following his victory over Hadadezer, also hamstrung horses. "David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for a hundred chariots." This act was part of David's strategy to weaken his enemies and prevent future threats.

3. 1 Chronicles 18:4 : This passage parallels the account in 2 Samuel, emphasizing David's military strategy. "David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrung all the chariot horses but left enough for a hundred chariots."

Theological Implications:

The practice of hamstringing horses in the Bible is often seen as an act of obedience to God's commands, reflecting a trust in divine providence over human strength. By disabling the horses, the Israelites demonstrated their reliance on God rather than on military technology or power. This act served as a reminder that victory comes from the Lord, not from the might of horses or chariots, as echoed in Psalm 20:7 : "Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, horses and chariots were symbols of military power and prestige. By hamstringing horses, the Israelites not only neutralized a significant military threat but also made a theological statement about the source of their strength and victory. This practice underscored the belief that true security and success come from faithfulness to God's commands and reliance on His power.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

From a moral perspective, the act of hamstringing can be viewed as a necessary measure in the context of ancient warfare, where the primary goal was survival and the fulfillment of divine mandates. While the practice may seem harsh by modern standards, it reflects the harsh realities of the time and the need to decisively deal with threats to the covenant community.

In summary, the biblical references to hamstringing highlight the importance of obedience to God, the rejection of reliance on human strength, and the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty in the affairs of His people.1. (n.) One of the great tendons situated in each side of the ham, or space back of the knee, and connected with the muscles of the back of the thigh.

2. (v. t.) To lame or disable by cutting the tendons of the ham or knee; to hough; hence, to cripple; to incapacitate; to disable.

6136b. iqqer -- to hamstring
... 6136a, 6136b. iqqer. 6137 . to hamstring. Transliteration: iqqer Short
Definition: hamstrung. Word Origin denominative verb from ...
/hebrew/6136b.htm - 5k

6131. aqar -- to pluck or root up
... A primitive root; to pluck up (especially by the roots); specifically, to hamstring;
figuratively, to exterminate -- dig down, hough, pluck up, root up. ...
/hebrew/6131.htm - 6k

The Tares.
... The same spirit that sowed darnel among wheat at night in a corn field of Galilee,
two thousand years ago, will set fire to a stackyard, or hamstring the horses ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/ii the tares.htm

Israel's Hope Encouraged;
... 2. Sin, by its working in us, doth not only bring darkness, guilt, fear, mistrust,
and the like; but it doth oft-times as it were hamstring us, and disable us ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/israels hope encouraged.htm

Hamstring (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hamstring (2 Occurrences). ... You shall hamstring their
horses and burn their chariots with fire." (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/h/hamstring.htm - 7k

Hock (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Alt. of Hough. 3. (vt) To disable by cutting the tendons of the hock;
to hamstring; to hough. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HOCK. ...
/h/hock.htm - 7k

Hough (1 Occurrence)
... To hamstring, ie, sever the "tendon of Achilles" of the hinder legs of captured
horses (Joshua 11:6; 2 Samuel 8:4; 1 Chronicles 18:4), so as to render them ...
/h/hough.htm - 7k

Hamran (1 Occurrence)

/h/hamran.htm - 6k

Hamstrung (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Hamstring. Multi-Version Concordance Hamstrung
(4 Occurrences). Genesis 49:6 My soul, don't come into their council. ...
/h/hamstrung.htm - 7k

Chariots (118 Occurrences)
... before Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with
fire." (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Joshua ...
/c/chariots.htm - 42k

Tomorrow (57 Occurrences)
... You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire." (WEB BBE NAS
RSV NIV). Joshua 22:18 that you must turn away this day from following Yahweh? ...
/t/tomorrow.htm - 26k

Horses (138 Occurrences)
... Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Joshua ...
/h/horses.htm - 40k

Slain (235 Occurrences)
... before Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots
with fire." (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Joshua ...
/s/slain.htm - 38k

Morrow (113 Occurrences)
... Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire."
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/m/morrow.htm - 41k

Hamstring: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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