Joshua's transition from military commander to covenant mediator emerges uniquely here, as he performs the priestly act of circumcision—a role typically reserved for patriarchs or religious leaders.
Joshua 5
Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal
1When all the kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, who were by the sea, heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, their heart melted, and there was no more spirit in them, because of the children of Israel.
2At that time, the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives, and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.”
3Joshua made himself flint knives, and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.
4This is the reason Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt, who were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way, after they came out of Egypt.
5For all the people who came out were circumcised; but all the people who were born in the wilderness along the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised.
6For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness until all the nation, even the men of war who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they didn’t listen to the LORD’s voice. The LORD swore to them that he wouldn’t let them see the land which the LORD swore to their fathers that he would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.
7Their children, whom he raised up in their place, were circumcised by Joshua, for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them on the way.
8When they were done circumcising the whole nation, they stayed in their places in the camp until they were healed.
9The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of that place was called Gilgal to this day.
10The children of Israel encamped in Gilgal. They kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at evening in the plains of Jericho.
11They ate unleavened cakes and parched grain of the produce of the land on the next day after the Passover, in the same day.
12The manna ceased on the next day, after they had eaten of the produce of the land. The children of Israel didn’t have manna any more, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
The Commander of the Lord's Army
13When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood in front of him with his sword drawn in his hand. Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our enemies?”
14He said, “No; but I have come now as commander of the LORD’s army.” Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshiped, and asked him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”
15The prince of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals, for the place on which you stand is holy.” Joshua did so.
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Theme
Before conquering Jericho, Israel undergoes spiritual preparation through covenant renewal at Gilgal. Joshua circumcises the new generation born in the wilderness, they celebrate Passover in the Promised Land, and the miraculous manna ceases as they begin eating the land's produce. The chapter concludes with Joshua's encounter with the divine Commander of the Lord's army, who establishes God's authority over the coming military campaigns.
Context
This chapter serves as the spiritual preparation between the miraculous Jordan crossing (chapter 4) and the military conquest beginning with Jericho (chapter 6).
Key Themes
Outline
- 1 Canaanite Kings' Fear The local kings are demoralized by news of Israel's miraculous Jordan crossing.
- 2-9 Circumcision at Gilgal Joshua circumcises the wilderness generation to restore covenant faithfulness before entering battle.
- 10-12 First Passover in Canaan Israel celebrates Passover in the Promised Land and begins eating local produce as manna ends.
- 13-15 The Divine Commander Appears Joshua encounters the Commander of the Lord's army, who establishes divine authority over the conquest.
Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal
5:1–5:12 narrative narration solemn
Joshua circumcises the Israelites and they celebrate Passover at Gilgal, renewing their covenant obligations after entering the Promised Land. This marks the end of their wilderness wandering and preparation for conquest.
person_contrast
Joshua's transition from military commander to covenant mediator emerges uniquely here, as he performs the priestly act of circumcision—a role typically reserved for patriarchs or religious leaders.
The Commander of the Lord's Army
5:13–5:15 narrative dialogue solemn
Joshua encounters the commander of the Lord's army near Jericho, who declares the ground holy. This divine encounter establishes God's authority over the coming military campaigns.
person_contrast
Joshua's question "Are you for us, or for our enemies?" receives the startling answer "No"—the only biblical instance where a divine messenger explicitly refuses to take sides in human warfare.
Insights
Joshua's question "Are you for us, or for our enemies?" receives the startling answer "No"—the only biblical instance where a divine messenger explicitly refuses to take sides in human warfare.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Joshua 5:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
Joshua 2:10 Lexical
For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you, when you came out of Egypt; and what you di…
Joshua 9:1 Lexical
When all the kings who were beyond the Jordan, in the hill country, and in the lowland, and on all the shore of the grea…
Numbers 13:29 Lexical
Amalek dwells in the land of the South. The Hittite, the Jebusite, and the Amorite dwell in the hill country. The Canaan…
Deuteronomy 11:30 Lexical
Aren’t they beyond the Jordan, behind the way of the going down of the sun, in the land of the Canaanites who dwell in t…
Genesis 50:11 Lexical
When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous…
Joshua 5:6 5 references
Lexicals 5
Ezekiel 20:15 Lexical
Moreover also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowin…
Deuteronomy 26:15 Lexical
Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel, and the ground which you have given us,…
Deuteronomy 31:20 Lexical
For when I have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, flowing with milk and honey, and they have ea…
Deuteronomy 11:9 Lexical
and that you may prolong your days in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give to them and to their offspri…
Jeremiah 32:22 Lexical
and gave them this land, which you swore to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey.
Joshua 5:10 5 references
Lexicals 5
Leviticus 23:5 Lexical
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening, is the LORD’s Passover.
Numbers 9:5 Lexical
They kept the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, in the wilderness of Sinai. Ac…
Joshua 4:19 Lexical
The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, on the east border of…
Ezekiel 45:21 Lexical
“‘“In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, you shall have the Passover, a feast of seven days; unleavene…
Numbers 28:16 Lexical
“‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is the LORD’s Passover.
Joshua 5:13 1 reference
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
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Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
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Timeline
Exodus
c. 1446 BCIsrael's miraculous deliverance from Egyptian slavery under Moses' leadership, including the ten plagues and Red Sea crossing. This foundational event established Israel as God's chosen nation.
Passover celebration at Gilgal commemorates God's deliverance from Egypt before beginning conquest.
Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal