Bible Dictionary
Hough
To hough a horse means to hamstring it by cutting the tendon of its hind legs, rendering it useless for war or transportation.
Definition
To hough a horse means to hamstring it by cutting the tendon of its hind legs. This rendered captured horses useless for war or ordinary service.
Biblical Usage
The practice is mentioned in accounts of captured horses, including those taken in warfare by Joshua and David.
Historical Background
Hamstringing was a means of disabling horses rather than killing them outright, making them unfit for military or transport use.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
To hamstring, i.e., sever the “tendon of Achilles” of the hinder legs of captured horses (Josh. 11:6; 2 Sam. 8:4; 1 Chr. 18:4), so as to render them useless.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>hok.</p><p>See HOCK.</p>