יהושע, פרק י״א, פסוק ט׳

Following a crushing victory, Joshua strictly fulfills a specific divine command regarding the enemy's spoils. Unlike previous campaigns—such as the capture of local towns or the war against the five kings at Gibeon—this battle involved a massive enemy force that relied heavily on horses and chariots. The foreign nations placed their full trust in this military might. The Israelites, however, achieved victory without any such equipment, proving that salvation comes exclusively from God.

To ensure that the Israelites would not take this military loot and begin trusting in horses and chariots instead of God, God commanded that these assets be neutralized [רד״ק]. This directive applied exclusively to horses, which were used for warfare. Animals meant for daily labor, such as donkeys and camels, were permitted for use.

The method used to neutralize the horses was highly specific. Rather than killing the animals, their hooves were severed from the knee down. This ensured they could no longer walk or be used in battle, yet they were left alive to survive on whatever pasture was immediately available to them. The decision to spare their lives stems from a prohibition against needlessly destroying God's creatures, a rule that applies unless destruction is absolutely necessary or the creature is entirely forbidden for any benefit [רד״ק]. Finally, Joshua burned the enemy chariots, completely eliminating the captured military power exactly as God had instructed.