Joshua 5:7

KJV

And their children, [whom] he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.

KJV (with Strong's)

And their children {H1121}, whom he raised up {H6965} in their stead, them Joshua {H3091} circumcised {H4135}: for they were uncircumcised {H6189}, because they had not circumcised {H4135} them by the way {H1870}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So he raised up their children to take their place, and it was these whom Y'hoshua circumcised; till then they had been uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised while traveling.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them did Joshua circumcise: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 5:7 describes the momentous act of Joshua circumcising the new generation of Israelite males at Gilgal, immediately after their miraculous crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land. This pivotal event signified a profound renewal of the Abrahamic covenant, re-establishing Israel's unique identity as God's chosen people and consecrating them for the imminent conquest of Canaan, following the forty years of wilderness wandering during which the practice had ceased.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a crucial transitional phase for Israel. It follows the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, detailed in [Joshua 3:17](/joshua/3-17 "Joshua 3:17 - Crossing the Jordan River on Dry Ground"), which validated Joshua's leadership and God's presence with His people. The command for this mass circumcision is given by God to Joshua in [Joshua 5:2](/joshua/5-2 "Joshua 5:2 - God Commands Circumcision"), indicating its divine imperative. The act itself, described in [Joshua 5:3-7](/joshua/5-3 "Joshua 5:3-7 - The Circumcision at Gilgal"), is immediately followed by the celebration of Passover in [Joshua 5:10](/joshua/5-10 "Joshua 5:10 - Passover at Gilgal") and the cessation of manna in [Joshua 5:12](/joshua/5-12 "Joshua 5:12 - Manna Ceases"), marking a definitive end to the wilderness era and the beginning of life in the land of promise. The entire chapter emphasizes Israel's spiritual preparation and consecration before the military campaigns begin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Circumcision was the foundational sign of God's covenant with Abraham, established in [Genesis 17:10-14](/genesis/17-10 "Genesis 17:10-14 - The Covenant of Circumcision"). It marked Abraham's descendants as distinct and set apart for God. During the forty years of wilderness wandering, however, the practice had largely ceased. While the exact reasons are not explicitly stated, scholars suggest it may have been due to the nomadic lifestyle, the practical difficulties of performing such a procedure in constant transit, or perhaps as a consequence of divine judgment on the disobedient generation, signifying a break in the covenant relationship for those who rebelled. The location, Gilgal, served as Israel's initial encampment in Canaan and became a significant site for covenant renewal and worship, as seen in [Joshua 5:9](/joshua/5-9 "Joshua 5:9 - The Reproach of Egypt Removed"). This act served not only as a religious rite but also as a profound statement of national identity and commitment to God's commands before engaging with the Canaanite nations.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights **Covenant Renewal and Identity**, as the act of circumcision re-establishes Israel's unique status as God's chosen people, affirming their commitment to the [Abrahamic covenant](/genesis/17-7 "Genesis 17:7 - God's Covenant with Abraham"). It underscores **Obedience and Consecration**, demonstrating Joshua's faithful leadership in immediately carrying out God's command, a painful but necessary step of spiritual preparation for the battles ahead. The verse also emphasizes **Generational Transition**, marking the passing of responsibility from the disobedient wilderness generation, whose fate is detailed in [Numbers 14:29](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29 - The Fate of the Wilderness Generation"), to a new generation ready to inherit God's promises. Finally, it speaks to the **Removal of Reproach**, as [Joshua 5:9](/joshua/5-9 "Joshua 5:9 - The Reproach of Egypt Removed") explicitly states that this act removed the "reproach of Egypt," likely referring to the shame of being uncircumcised in the eyes of other nations, or perhaps the spiritual stagnation and rebellion associated with their time in the wilderness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Circumcised (Hebrew, _mûl_):** The verb מול (_mul_) means "to cut off" or "to circumcise." In this context, it refers to the physical cutting away of the foreskin, which served as the physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. Beyond its physical aspect, it symbolized a spiritual cutting away, a setting apart, and a dedication to God. Its performance here signifies a renewal of this covenant and a re-establishment of Israel's distinct identity before God and the nations.
* **Raised up (Hebrew, _qûm_):** The verb קום (_qum_), meaning "to rise," "to stand up," or "to establish," is used here in the Hiphil stem, indicating a causative action: "he caused to rise" or "he raised up." This highlights God's active role and sovereignty in bringing forth this new generation. It implies that this generation was not merely a natural succession but divinely appointed and prepared to fulfill the promises that the previous generation failed to embrace.
* **By the way (Hebrew, _badderekh_):** The phrase בַּדֶּרֶךְ (_badderekh_) literally means "in the way" or "on the road/journey." Here, it specifically refers to the forty-year period of wandering in the wilderness. It explains *why* the previous generation had not performed circumcision on their children – it was neglected during their nomadic journey, possibly due to the challenging circumstances or as a consequence of their spiritual rebellion and God's judgment upon them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And their children, [whom] he raised up in their stead":** This clause emphasizes the divine hand in the generational transition. The "he" refers to God, who sovereignly brought forth this new generation to replace the one that had perished in the wilderness due to disobedience. It underscores that God is faithful to His promises, even when a generation fails, by raising up another to inherit the covenant blessings.
* **"them Joshua circumcised":** This highlights Joshua's obedient leadership. As Moses' successor, Joshua was tasked with leading the people into the land and ensuring their covenant faithfulness. This act of mass circumcision, though potentially painful and incapacitating for a few days, was a direct command from God and a crucial step in preparing the nation spiritually and physically for the conquest.
* **"for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way":** This final clause provides the rationale for the circumcision. It explains that the children born during the wilderness wandering had not received the covenant sign. The phrase "by the way" clearly refers to the forty-year journey, indicating a lapse in the practice during that period. This neglect necessitated the mass circumcision at Gilgal to bring the new generation fully into the covenant community before they embarked on their mission in Canaan.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Repetition** of the concept of circumcision, both explicitly and implicitly through the narrative of [Joshua 5:2-9](/joshua/5-2 "Joshua 5:2-9 - The Circumcision at Gilgal"), underscores its central importance as a sign of covenant and identity. There is a clear **contrast** drawn between the disobedient, faithless generation that perished in the wilderness and the new, obedient generation that is now prepared to enter and conquer the land. This contrast highlights God's faithfulness to His promises despite human failure. The act of circumcision itself functions as **symbolism**, representing not only physical distinction but also spiritual cleansing, dedication, and the cutting away of the "reproach of Egypt." Furthermore, the entire episode serves as **foreshadowing**, indicating that spiritual readiness and covenant fidelity are prerequisites for divine blessing and success in the battles to come.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 5:7 is rich with theological significance, linking the physical act of circumcision to profound truths about God's covenant faithfulness, the necessity of obedience, and the concept of spiritual readiness. It demonstrates that God's promises are not automatically inherited but require active participation and covenant commitment from each generation. The re-establishment of circumcision at Gilgal signifies a renewed commitment to the Abrahamic covenant, marking Israel as God's holy nation, set apart for His purposes. This painful but necessary act underscores that entering into God's blessings often requires a period of purification and consecration, a "cutting away" of anything that hinders full devotion. It also emphasizes the importance of generational faithfulness, ensuring that the covenant identity and responsibilities are passed down and embraced by successive generations.

* [Genesis 17:10](/genesis/17-10 "Command for Circumcision")
* [Romans 2:28-29](/romans/2-28 "Circumcision of the Heart")
* [Colossians 2:11](/colossians/2-11 "Circumcision of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 5:7 offers a powerful paradigm for spiritual life today. Just as the Israelites needed to renew their covenant with God through a physical sign before entering their inheritance, believers are called to a continuous process of spiritual consecration and obedience. This involves not merely inheriting faith from previous generations but personally embracing God's commands and aligning our lives with His will. The "cutting away" of the foreskin can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual "circumcision of the heart" – the removal of anything that hinders our full devotion to God, whether it be sin, worldly attachments, or self-reliance. This painful but necessary process of purification often precedes God's greatest blessings and empowers us for the spiritual battles we face. Furthermore, the verse reminds us of our vital responsibility to faithfully pass on the truths of the Gospel and the importance of covenant relationship to the next generation, ensuring that they too are prepared to walk in God's purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, like the wilderness generation, neglect spiritual practices or covenant commitments "by the way" in our own lives?**
* **What "reproach" or spiritual hindrance might God be calling us to "cut away" in order to fully enter into His promised blessings and purposes?**
* **How are we actively participating in the spiritual preparation and discipleship of the next generation within our families and communities?**
* **What is one specific act of obedience or consecration God is calling you to undertake before stepping into a new season or task?**

### FAQ
**Why wasn't circumcision practiced during the forty years in the wilderness?**

Answer: The Bible does not explicitly state the reason, but several factors are commonly proposed. Practically, the nomadic lifestyle and constant movement would have made the procedure and subsequent healing period difficult and risky, especially for a large population. Theologically, some scholars suggest it was a consequence of divine judgment on the disobedient generation (Numbers 14), signifying a temporary suspension of the full covenant relationship for those who rebelled and were destined to die in the wilderness. It was not a command to stop, but rather a lapse in practice that needed to be rectified once they entered the Promised Land and renewed their covenant with God.

**What is the "reproach of Egypt" mentioned in Joshua 5:9, and how was it removed by circumcision?**

Answer: The "reproach of Egypt" (mentioned in [Joshua 5:9](/joshua/5-9 "Joshua 5:9 - The Reproach of Egypt Removed")) likely refers to the shame or disgrace associated with their time in Egypt. This could encompass several ideas: (1) The shame of being uncircumcised in the eyes of the Egyptians, who, though they practiced a form of circumcision, may have viewed the Israelites' lack of it as a sign of their low status or spiritual unworthiness. (2) More profoundly, it could refer to the spiritual reproach of their slavery, their idolatry, and their rebellion against God during the wilderness wanderings, which mirrored the spiritual state of Egypt. By undergoing circumcision, Israel was publicly reaffirming their unique identity as God's covenant people, shedding the spiritual and cultural marks of their past bondage and unfaithfulness, and demonstrating their readiness to fully embrace their identity as a holy nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 5:7, with its emphasis on physical circumcision as a sign of covenant and preparation, finds its ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant sign of circumcision pointed forward to a deeper, spiritual reality: the "circumcision of the heart" ([Deuteronomy 30:6](/deuteronomy/30-6 "Deuteronomy 30:6 - Circumcision of the Heart"))—a cutting away of sin and a dedication to God. In the New Covenant, this spiritual reality is accomplished through Christ's work on the cross. [Colossians 2:11](/colossians/2-11 "Colossians 2:11 - Circumcision of Christ") speaks of believers having been "circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ." This refers to the spiritual transformation and liberation from the power of sin that occurs through union with Christ's death and resurrection. The "new generation" in Joshua, circumcised and prepared to enter the Promised Land, foreshadows the new humanity in Christ—those who are born again and empowered by the Holy Spirit to inherit the spiritual promises of God's kingdom ([John 3:3](/john/3-3 "John 3:3 - You Must Be Born Again")). Just as the physical act marked a people set apart, so too baptism in the New Testament serves as an outward sign of an inward spiritual reality—identification with Christ's death and resurrection, and entrance into the new covenant community ([Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3 "Romans 6:3-4 - Baptized into Christ's Death")). Ultimately, Christ Himself is the true "seed" of Abraham ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - Christ, Abraham's Seed")), and all who are in Him, whether Jew or Gentile, are the spiritual heirs of the covenant promises, no longer needing the physical sign but possessing the reality of a transformed heart and a new identity in Him ([Galatians 3:28-29](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28-29 - One in Christ Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 14:31

But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.

Deuteronomy 1:39

Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.