HOUGH hŏk, the KJV tr. of the Heb. עָקַר֒, H6827, “to cut a tendon,” as in hamstringing a horse or other beast of burden. It is used in the pi’el form only, as the word usually means simply to “uproot” (Eccl 3:2). The term occurs in the sense of “hamstring” (Josh 11:6, 9; 2 Sam 8:4 and 1 Chron 18:4). However, its occurrence in Genesis 49:6 is read “digged down a wall” (KJV), “hocked an ox” (ASV), “hamstring oxen” (RSV), which is to be preferred.