King James Version

What Does Joshua 5:3 Mean?

Joshua 5:3 in the King James Version says “And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. sharp: or, knives...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Joshua 5:3 · KJV

Context

1

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.

2

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

3

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

4

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.

5

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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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

Joshua's immediate obedience to God's command demonstrates exemplary leadership. The Hebrew wayaas lo Yehoshua (וַיַּעַשׂ לוֹ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, "Joshua made him") shows personal involvement in preparing instruments and performing or supervising the covenant ritual. This wasn't delegated to priests but executed by military/civil leadership, emphasizing that covenant faithfulness is comprehensive, not merely cultic.

The location name Givat ha-aralot (גִּבְעַת הָעֲרָלוֹת, "hill of the foreskins") permanently commemorates this event. Ancient naming practices connected places with significant events occurring there—Bethel ("house of God"), Peniel ("face of God"), etc. The graphic specificity of "foreskins" emphasizes the physical, historical reality of covenant incorporation rather than abstract spirituality.

From a theological perspective, this mass circumcision represents corporate covenant renewal. An entire generation received the sign that should have been administered in infancy but was delayed due to wilderness circumstances. This corporate inclusion prefigures the New Testament pattern where household baptisms (Acts 16:15, 33; 1 Corinthians 1:16) incorporate families into the visible covenant community. The Reformers saw this parallel as supporting infant baptism—just as circumcision was administered to infants in Israelite households, baptism should be administered to children of believing parents, marking them as covenant members who must later personally embrace the faith.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The location "hill of the foreskins" is traditionally identified with Gilgal, Israel's base camp during the conquest, though exact identification remains uncertain. The name created a permanent memorial to covenant renewal, similar to other geographically-named events in Joshua (e.g., Valley of Achor, chapter 7).

This mass circumcision occurred around 1406 BCE (traditional chronology), involving potentially hundreds of thousands of males born during 40 years of wandering. The logistical and medical challenges would have been substantial—mass circumcision of adults is painful and debilitating, requiring recovery time (Genesis 34:25 records how Simeon and Levi attacked Shechem's males on the third day after circumcision, when pain was most intense). Israel's willingness to undergo this painful procedure while surrounded by enemies demonstrated extraordinary faith and covenant commitment.

The timing—immediately after entering Canaan—shows that enjoying covenant blessings (possessing the land) requires covenant obedience (receiving the covenant sign). God doesn't bless His people independently of their covenant relationship with Him. This principle continues in the New Covenant—believers receive spiritual blessings "in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3), connected to union with Him, not as autonomous individuals outside covenant relationship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Joshua's personal involvement in administering the covenant sign challenge leaders to actively participate in spiritual formation rather than merely delegating it?
  2. What does the painful nature of circumcision teach about covenant membership sometimes requiring sacrifice and discomfort?
  3. How should the corporate dimension of covenant renewal (an entire generation circumcised together) shape our understanding of the church as covenant community?
  4. In what ways does this mass circumcision before conquest illustrate that spiritual preparation must precede attempts at spiritual warfare or kingdom advancement?
  5. How does the permanent place-name "hill of the foreskins" emphasize the historical, physical reality of redemptive events rather than merely symbolic or spiritual interpretations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיַּֽעַשׂ1 of 12

“made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

ל֥וֹ2 of 12
H0
יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ3 of 12

“And Joshua”

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

חַֽרְב֣וֹת4 of 12

“knives”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

צֻרִ֑ים5 of 12

“him sharp”

H6697

properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)

וַיָּ֙מָל֙6 of 12

“and circumcised”

H4135

to cut short, i.e., curtail (specifically the prepuce, i.e., to circumcise); by implication, to blunt; figuratively, to destroy

אֶת7 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּנֵ֣י8 of 12

“the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל9 of 12

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֶל10 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גִּבְעַ֖ת11 of 12

“at the hill”

H1389

a hillock

הָֽעֲרָלֽוֹת׃12 of 12

“of the foreskins”

H6190

the prepuce

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 5:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 5:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 17:23-27Matthew 16:24

Places in This Verse

Gibeath-haaralothHill · Modern: Khirbet el Mefjir · 31.88°N, 35.46°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Joshua 5 →

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