Joshua5

Joshua 5 details Israel's preparations for conquering Canaan. The men born in the wilderness were circumcised as a renewal of the covenant, and the Passover was observed at Gilgal. Following this, the miraculous manna ceased as they began to eat the land's produce. Finally, Joshua encountered a divine figure, the Captain of the LORD's host, who affirmed God's leadership.
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Canaanite Kings Acknowledge God's Power

1
Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and their spirits failed for fear of the Israelites. ​

Covenant Renewal: The Circumcision at Gilgal

2
At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again.” ​
3
So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth.
4
Now this is why Joshua circumcised them: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of war—had died on the journey in the wilderness after they had left Egypt.
5
Though all who had come out were circumcised, none of those born in the wilderness on the journey from Egypt had been circumcised. ​
6
For the Israelites had wandered in the wilderness forty years, until all the nation’s men of war who had come out of Egypt had died, since they did not obey the LORD. So the LORD vowed never to let them see the land He had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. ​
7
And Joshua raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones he circumcised. Until this time they were still uncircumcised, since they had not been circumcised along the way.
8
And after all the nation had been circumcised, they stayed there in the camp until they were healed. ​
9
Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So that place has been called Gilgal to this day. ​

Passover Observed and Manna Ceases

10
On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while the Israelites were camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they kept the Passover. ​
11
The day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain from the produce of the land.
12
And the day after they had eaten from the produce of the land, the manna ceased. There was no more manna for the Israelites, so that year they began to eat the crops of the land of Canaan. ​

Joshua Meets the Commander of the Lord's Army

13
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?” ​
14
“Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?” ​
15
The Commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. ​

Study Notes for Joshua 5

Verse 1

This verse highlights the psychological impact of the Jordan miracle. The melting of the enemy's heart fulfills God's promise to dishearten Israel's foes (Ex. 23:27), setting the stage for conquest before the first battle is even fought.

Verse 2

The command to circumcise 'the second time' refers to performing the rite on the generation born during the 40 years of wandering, as the covenant sign had been neglected during the wilderness journey.

Verse 5

The failure to circumcise the male children during the wilderness journey was a significant lapse in covenant obedience, likely due to the instability of nomadic life or as a sign of God's judgment on the rebellious older generation.

Verse 6

This verse explicitly links the death of the older generation to their disobedience, specifically referencing their rebellion following the report of the spies (Num. 14), which resulted in the forty-year delay.

Verse 8

The waiting period ('till they were whole') demonstrates that obedience to the covenant rites took immediate precedence over military action, emphasizing the priority of spiritual readiness.

Verse 9

Gilgal, meaning 'to roll,' symbolizes the rolling away of the 'reproach of Egypt.' This reproach likely refers to the shame of slavery, the stigma of being uncircumcised, or the status of being a rootless, covenant-breaking people.

Verse 10

This celebration marks the first Passover observed inside the Promised Land. The timing emphasizes the immediate restoration of covenant worship upon arrival in Canaan, connecting the current generation to the Exodus event.

Verse 12

The abrupt cessation of the manna confirms the definitive end of the wilderness period. God's provision shifts from miraculous daily bread to sustenance derived from the land itself, symbolizing entrance into the covenant blessing.

Verse 13

As Joshua prepares for the battle of Jericho, he encounters a mysterious figure identified as the 'Captain of the host of the LORD,' signaling divine readiness to lead the military campaign.

Verse 14

The Captain's refusal to take sides ('Nay') indicates that he is not merely an ally of Israel, but the sovereign leader of God's army, demanding Joshua's submission. This figure is often interpreted as a Christophany (a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ).

Verse 15

This command echoes Moses' encounter at the burning bush (Ex. 3:5), confirming the sacred nature of the ground and validating Joshua's leadership commissioning as Moses' successor before the start of the conquest.

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