Definition: And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Joshua 11:9. It’s a pretty dramatic passage about a battle! Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: Joshua is leading the Israelites into battle against the Moabites and Ammonites. During the battle, the Moabites and Ammonites have fortified their chariots (which are basically armored wagons) with fire. Joshua instructs his soldiers to do something incredibly unusual – he takes the horses and burns them completely. Let’s unpack it layer by layer: “And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him…” : This means Joshua was instructed by God to take action. It’s a command from above. “…he houghed their horses…” : "Houghed" means to gently shake or move something. So, Joshua was carefully and deliberately shaking the horses, causing them to tumble and be destroyed. “…and burnt their chariots with fire.” : This is the key part! The chariots were set ablaze with fire – completely consumed. What’s the Big Idea? This verse highlights a few important things: God's Power: It shows that God is in control and can directly intervene in battle, using his power to defeat our enemies. Divine Justice: It suggests a sense of divine justice being served – the enemy’s strength is diminished by God’s wrath. A Show of Might: The verse also implies that Joshua’s action was a powerful demonstration of God's might and his control over events. In short, this verse tells us that God directly intervened in the battle, turning the enemy's weapons against them with a swift and decisive act. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Give you more context about the story of Joshua 11?