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Joshua 5:4

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And this [is] the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, [that were] males, [even] all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.

And this is the cause {H1697} why Joshua {H3091} did circumcise {H4135}: All the people {H5971} that came out {H3318} of Egypt {H4714}, that were males {H2145}, even all the men {H582} of war {H4421}, died {H4191} in the wilderness {H4057} by the way {H1870}, after they came out {H3318} of Egypt {H4714}.

The reason Y'hoshua circumcised was that all the people who had left Egypt who were males, all the fighting men, had died in the desert along the way after leaving Egypt.

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.

And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: all the people that came forth out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came forth out of Egypt.

Commentary

Joshua 5:4 explains the critical reason behind the mass circumcision of the new generation of Israelite males at Gilgal, immediately after they crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land. The verse clearly states that all the men who had come out of Egypt, particularly the "men of war," had died in the wilderness. This meant that the generation born during the forty years of wandering had not received the covenant sign of circumcision.

Context

This verse provides crucial background for the events described in Joshua 5:2-3, where Joshua is commanded by God to circumcise the people. The forty-year wilderness journey was a period of divine judgment and purification. As detailed in books like Numbers and Deuteronomy, the adult generation that left Egypt, with the exceptions of Joshua and Caleb, was condemned to die in the wilderness due to their unbelief and rebellion, particularly at Kadesh-Barnea. This verse highlights the profound generational shift that had occurred; a new generation, born in the wilderness and uncircumcised, was now poised to inherit the land.

Key Themes

  • Consequence of Disobedience: The death of the previous generation serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of unbelief and disobedience to God's commands. Their failure to trust God led to their exclusion from the Promised Land.
  • Generational Transition: The verse marks a clear transition from the generation of the Exodus to the new generation of the Conquest. This new generation, having endured the wilderness but not participated in the initial rebellion, was now being prepared for their destiny.
  • Covenant Renewal: The circumcision at Gilgal, explained by this verse, was a profound act of covenant renewal. Since the sign of the Abrahamic covenant had been neglected for forty years, its re-establishment before entering Canaan signified Israel's recommitment to God and His promises.
  • Divine Faithfulness: Despite Israel's failures, God remained faithful to His covenant promises, raising up a new generation to fulfill His purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The term "circumcise" (Hebrew: mul) signifies cutting off the foreskin, a physical act that served as the indelible mark of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17:9-14). Its absence for an entire generation underscored their separation from the covenant community in a practical sense, making the act at Gilgal all the more significant for their spiritual and national identity as they prepared to claim their inheritance.

Practical Application

Joshua 5:4 reminds us that spiritual readiness often involves a clear break from past failures and a renewed commitment to God's ways. Just as the Israelites had to shed the consequences of their parents' disobedience and embrace the covenant anew, believers today are called to walk in obedience and faith, leaving behind past sins and embracing the new life in Christ. This verse underscores the importance of spiritual obedience and the necessity of aligning ourselves with God's will before embarking on His purposes for our lives.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 10:5 (3 votes)

    But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

  • Deuteronomy 2:16 (3 votes)

    So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people,

  • Numbers 26:64 (3 votes)

    But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.

  • Numbers 26:65 (3 votes)

    For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

  • Deuteronomy 2:14 (2 votes)

    And the space in which we came from Kadeshbarnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, [was] thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them.

  • Hebrews 3:17 (2 votes)

    But with whom was he grieved forty years? [was it] not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

  • Hebrews 3:19 (2 votes)

    So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.