King James Version
Joshua 5
15 verses with commentary
Circumcision at Gilgal
And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.</strong><br>...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
V.
(1) **The Amorites . . . and . . . Canaanites.**—Two principal nations seem to be here mentioned as representatives of the rest.
**We.**—See Note on Joshua 5:6.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16-22. the Lord said unto Moses, ... this people will rise up--**In this remarkable interview, Moses was distinctly apprised of the infidelity of Israel, their corruptions of the true religion through intercourse with the idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan (Am 5:26), and their chastisements in consequence of those national defections.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The Canaanites are afraid, Circumcision renewed.(1-9)
The passover at Gilgal, The manna ceases.(10-12)
The Captain of the Lord's host appears to Joshua.(13-15)
**Verses 1-9**
How dreadful is their case, who see the wrath of God advancing towards them, without being able to turn it aside, or escape it! Such will be the horrible situation of the wicked...
Read full commentary →At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. sharp: or, knives of flints
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.</strong><br><br>The command to renew circumcision marks a crucial moment of covenant renewal before military engagement. The phrase "at that time" (<em>ba'et hahi</em>, בָּעֵת הַהִיא) specifically refers to the period after crossing Jordan but before conquering Jeric...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**THE CIRCUMCISION OF ISRAEL BY JOSHUA** (Joshua 5:2-9).
(2) **Make thee sharp knives.**—Authorities are divided between the rendering “sharp knives” and “knives of flint.” The first seems best supported, as far as the meaning of the *words *is concerned. The expression is “knives of *tsurim.” *The word *tsûr *does not seem anywhere to be connected with the material of the tool, but rather with th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16-22. the Lord said unto Moses, ... this people will rise up--**In this remarkable interview, Moses was distinctly apprised of the infidelity of Israel, their corruptions of the true religion through intercourse with the idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan (Am 5:26), and their chastisements in consequence of those national defections.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The Canaanites are afraid, Circumcision renewed.(1-9)
The passover at Gilgal, The manna ceases.(10-12)
The Captain of the Lord's host appears to Joshua.(13-15)
**Verses 1-9**
How dreadful is their case, who see the wrath of God advancing towards them, without being able to turn it aside, or escape it! Such will be the horrible situation of the wicked...
Read full commentary →And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. sharp: or, knives of flints the hill: or, Gibeah-haaraloth
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.</strong><br><br>Joshua's immediate obedience to God's command demonstrates exemplary leadership. The Hebrew <em>wayaas lo Yehoshua</em> (וַיַּעַשׂ לוֹ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, "Joshua made him") shows personal involvement in preparing instruments and performing or supervising the covenant ritual. This...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16-22. the Lord said unto Moses, ... this people will rise up--**In this remarkable interview, Moses was distinctly apprised of the infidelity of Israel, their corruptions of the true religion through intercourse with the idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan (Am 5:26), and their chastisements in consequence of those national defections.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The Canaanites are afraid, Circumcision renewed.(1-9)
The passover at Gilgal, The manna ceases.(10-12)
The Captain of the Lord's host appears to Joshua.(13-15)
**Verses 1-9**
How dreadful is their case, who see the wrath of God advancing towards them, without being able to turn it aside, or escape it! Such will be the horrible situation of the wicked...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse begins the explanation for renewing circumcision. The phrase "this is the cause" (<em>zeh hadavar</em>, זֶה הַדָּבָר) introduces the rationale. All males who experienced ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **The cause why Joshua did circumcise.**—As the narrative stands it is not quite obvious why uncircumcision is called “the reproach of Egypt,” whereas all the people born in Egypt were circumcised. The uncircumcision attached to those who were born in the wilderness, during the years of wandering. But that period of wandering, between the departure from Kadesh-barnea and the return to Kadesh (...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16-22. the Lord said unto Moses, ... this people will rise up--**In this remarkable interview, Moses was distinctly apprised of the infidelity of Israel, their corruptions of the true religion through intercourse with the idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan (Am 5:26), and their chastisements in consequence of those national defections.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The Canaanites are afraid, Circumcision renewed.(1-9)
The passover at Gilgal, The manna ceases.(10-12)
The Captain of the Lord's host appears to Joshua.(13-15)
**Verses 1-9**
How dreadful is their case, who see the wrath of God advancing towards them, without being able to turn it aside, or escape it! Such will be the horrible situation of the wicked...
Read full commentary →Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.</strong><br><br>This verse clarifies that the Exodus generation was circumcised in Egypt before the Passover (implied in Exodus 12:48), but circumcision ceased during wilderness wandering. The contrast between "all...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16-22. the Lord said unto Moses, ... this people will rise up--**In this remarkable interview, Moses was distinctly apprised of the infidelity of Israel, their corruptions of the true religion through intercourse with the idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan (Am 5:26), and their chastisements in consequence of those national defections.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The Canaanites are afraid, Circumcision renewed.(1-9)
The passover at Gilgal, The manna ceases.(10-12)
The Captain of the Lord's host appears to Joshua.(13-15)
**Verses 1-9**
How dreadful is their case, who see the wrath of God advancing towards them, without being able to turn it aside, or escape it! Such will be the horrible situation of the wicked...
Read full commentary →For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.</strong><br><br>This verse prov...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Us.**—The first person is used here as in Joshua 4:23; Joshua 5:7. The whole passage from Joshua 4:22 to Joshua 5:6 seems intended to be the reply of the fathers to the children.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16-22. the Lord said unto Moses, ... this people will rise up--**In this remarkable interview, Moses was distinctly apprised of the infidelity of Israel, their corruptions of the true religion through intercourse with the idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan (Am 5:26), and their chastisements in consequence of those national defections.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The Canaanites are afraid, Circumcision renewed.(1-9)
The passover at Gilgal, The manna ceases.(10-12)
The Captain of the Lord's host appears to Joshua.(13-15)
**Verses 1-9**
How dreadful is their case, who see the wrath of God advancing towards them, without being able to turn it aside, or escape it! Such will be the horrible situation of the wicked...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse identifies the generation that received circumcision at Gilgal: "their children, whom he raised up in their stead" (<em>beneihem heqim tachtam</em>, בְּנֵיהֶם הֵקִים תַּחְתָּם). The verb <em>heqim</em> (הֵקִ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16-22. the Lord said unto Moses, ... this people will rise up--**In this remarkable interview, Moses was distinctly apprised of the infidelity of Israel, their corruptions of the true religion through intercourse with the idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan (Am 5:26), and their chastisements in consequence of those national defections.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The Canaanites are afraid, Circumcision renewed.(1-9)
The passover at Gilgal, The manna ceases.(10-12)
The Captain of the Lord's host appears to Joshua.(13-15)
**Verses 1-9**
How dreadful is their case, who see the wrath of God advancing towards them, without being able to turn it aside, or escape it! Such will be the horrible situation of the wicked...
Read full commentary →And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole. they had: Heb. the people had made an end to be circumcised
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.</strong><br><br>This verse describes the recovery period after mass circumcision. The phrase "abode in their places" (<em>yashvu tachtam</em>, יָשְׁבוּ תַחְתָּם) means they remained stationary, not moving camp. The phrase "till they were whole" (<em>ad cha...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The Canaanites are afraid, Circumcision renewed.(1-9)
The passover at Gilgal, The manna ceases.(10-12)
The Captain of the Lord's host appears to Joshua.(13-15)
**Verses 1-9**
How dreadful is their case, who see the wrath of God advancing towards them, without being able to turn it aside, or escape it! Such will be the horrible situation of the wicked...
Read full commentary →And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day. Gilgal: that is Rolling
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KJV Study Commentary
God's declaration—'This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you'—connects circumcision renewal to Egypt's shame removal. Egyptian bondage represented disgrace; Canaan possession demonstrates honor. The name Gilgal (meaning 'rolling') commemorates this reproach removal. Circumcision marked covenant identity, distinguishing Israel from Egypt. This demonstrates that covenant signs t...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **This day have I rolled away. . . .—**Compare Isaiah 25:8, “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke (or *reproach*)* of His people shall He take away from off all the earth: *for *the Lord hath spoken it *“; Colossians 2:11, “In whom (Christ) also we are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in *the putting ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The Canaanites are afraid, Circumcision renewed.(1-9)
The passover at Gilgal, The manna ceases.(10-12)
The Captain of the Lord's host appears to Joshua.(13-15)
**Verses 1-9**
How dreadful is their case, who see the wrath of God advancing towards them, without being able to turn it aside, or escape it! Such will be the horrible situation of the wicked...
Read full commentary →The Commander of the Lord's Army
And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.</strong><br><br>This verse marks the first Passover celebrated in the Promised Land—a momentous occasion linking redemption from Egypt with inheritance of Canaan. The specific date "fourteenth day of the month at even" (<em>arbaah asar yom lachodesh baar...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **The passover.**—This is the third Passover in Israel’s history. The first two were kept under Moses—(1) in Egypt, when the Lord delivered them; (2) the second at Sinai, when He had “brought them unto Himself.” (3) The third is on the other side Jordan under Joshua. Two belong to the Exodus, or going out; one to the Eisodus, or coming in. Compare Luke 22:16 : “I will not any more eat thereof...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-12**
A solemn passover was kept, at the time appointed by the law, in the plains of Jericho, in defiance of the Canaanites round about them. It was a performance of the promise, that when they went up to keep the feasts, their land should be under the special protection of the Divine providence, Ex 34:24. Notice is taken of the ceasing of the manna as soon as they had eaten the old...
Read full commentary →And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.</strong><br><br>This verse marks a crucial transition: eating Canaan's produce for the first time. The phrase "old corn of the land" (<em>me'avur ha'aretz</em>, מֵעֲבוּר הָאָרֶץ) refers to stored grain from previous harvests, now available to Israel. The ti...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **They did eat of the old corn.**—The word occurs nowhere else except in Joshua 5:12. It need not have been last year’s corn; in fact, it seems to have been the produce of this very harvest. It seems to mean “that which was brought to them,” and was “the fruit” or “produce” of the land of Canaan, probably brought to the camp for sale.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26. Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark--**The second copy of the law (see on De 31:9) was deposited for greater security and reverence in a little chest beside the ark of the covenant, for there was nothing contained within it but the tables of stone (1Ki 8:9). Others think it was put within the ark, it being certain, from the testimony of Paul (He 9:4), that there were...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-12**
A solemn passover was kept, at the time appointed by the law, in the plains of Jericho, in defiance of the Canaanites round about them. It was a performance of the promise, that when they went up to keep the feasts, their land should be under the special protection of the Divine providence, Ex 34:24. Notice is taken of the ceasing of the manna as soon as they had eaten the old...
Read full commentary →And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
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KJV Study Commentary
The statement—'And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year'—marks provision transition. Supernatural manna sustained wilderness wandering; natural abundance supplies settled inheritance. God provides appropriately for each season—miraculous inter...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **The manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land.**—The date should be noticed. On the fourteenth day was the Passover; on the fifteenth, Israel ate of the produce of the land. From that day the manna fell no more—*i.e.,* on the *sixteenth day *of the first month of the year of their entering the land of Canaan, it was not found. On the *sixteenth day *of the ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-12**
A solemn passover was kept, at the time appointed by the law, in the plains of Jericho, in defiance of the Canaanites round about them. It was a performance of the promise, that when they went up to keep the feasts, their land should be under the special protection of the Divine providence, Ex 34:24. Notice is taken of the ceasing of the manna as soon as they had eaten the old...
Read full commentary →And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
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KJV Study Commentary
This encounter reveals a theophany—an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ as "commander of the army of the LORD" (verse 14). The mysterious figure holds a drawn sword, symbolizing readiness for divine judgment and conquest. Joshua's question—"Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?"—reveals human tendency to enlist God for our purposes rather than aligning ourselves with His. The commander's r...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
THE CONQUEST OF CANAAN.
(13) At this point commences the second great division of the book. The Passage of Jordan was the great event of the first portion; and for that Joshua received special directions from Jehovah. A vision now appears to him, to inaugurate his second great enterprise, which was to put the inhabitants of Canaan to the sword. The character of this vision should be carefully note...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-15**
We read not of any appearance of God's glory to Joshua till now. There appeared to him one as a man to be noticed. This Man was the Son of God, the eternal Word. Joshua gave him Divine honours: he received them, which a created angel would not have done, and he is called Jehovah, chap. 6:2. To Abraham he appeared as a traveller; to Joshua as a man of war. Christ will be to his...
Read full commentary →And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? captain: or, prince
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?</strong><br><br>This is the divine commander's response to Joshua's question whether he came as friend or foe. The Hebrew <em>lo</em> (לֹא, "Nay") negates both options—this figure transcends earthly alignm...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-15**
We read not of any appearance of God's glory to Joshua till now. There appeared to him one as a man to be noticed. This Man was the Son of God, the eternal Word. Joshua gave him Divine honours: he received them, which a created angel would not have done, and he is called Jehovah, chap. 6:2. To Abraham he appeared as a traveller; to Joshua as a man of war. Christ will be to his...
Read full commentary →And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.</strong><br><br>The command to remove shoes parallels Moses' burning bush encounter (Exodus 3:5), establishing explicit connection between the two great leaders and their divine commissions. The Hebrew <em>shal-naalcha me'al raglecha</em> (ש...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-15**
We read not of any appearance of God's glory to Joshua till now. There appeared to him one as a man to be noticed. This Man was the Son of God, the eternal Word. Joshua gave him Divine honours: he received them, which a created angel would not have done, and he is called Jehovah, chap. 6:2. To Abraham he appeared as a traveller; to Joshua as a man of war. Christ will be to his...
Read full commentary →