King James Version

What Does Joshua 5:4 Mean?

Joshua 5:4 in the King James Version says “And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the me...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Joshua 5:4 · KJV

Context

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.

6

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study 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.

This verse begins the explanation for renewing circumcision. The phrase "this is the cause" (zeh hadavar, זֶה הַדָּבָר) introduces the rationale. All males who experienced the Exodus—"men of war" (anshei hamilchamah, אַנְשֵׁי הַמִּלְחָמָה), the fighting-age males—died during wilderness wandering. This was divine judgment for unbelief at Kadesh-barnea when they refused to enter Canaan (Numbers 14:26-35).

The phrase "died in the wilderness by the way" emphasizes the protracted nature of judgment—not immediate death but gradual attrition over forty years. God's patience allowed the condemned generation to live out their days while preparing the next generation for obedience. This demonstrates divine justice (punishing rebellion) combined with mercy (sustaining life and preparing successors).

Theologically, this illustrates that unbelief disqualifies from inheritance. The generation that witnessed the Exodus, received the Law at Sinai, and saw countless miracles nevertheless forfeited Canaan through unbelief. Hebrews 3-4 applies this warning to Christians: "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief" (Hebrews 3:12). The wilderness generation serves as a negative example, warning that profession without faith, privilege without obedience, and exposure to truth without submission lead to judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The rebellion at Kadesh-barnea (Numbers 13-14) occurred approximately 1444 BCE (traditional dating), two years after the Exodus. When the twelve spies returned from Canaan, ten reported truthfully but fearfully, while Joshua and Caleb urged faith. The people believed the fearful majority, rejecting God's promise and even proposing to return to Egypt. God's judgment decreed that everyone twenty years or older (except Joshua and Caleb) would die in the wilderness, while their children would inherit the land.

The forty-year period corresponded to the forty days of spying—one year for each day (Numbers 14:34). This demonstrates proportional justice in God's judgments. Archaeological evidence from the Sinai and Negev regions shows limited Late Bronze Age occupation, consistent with a nomadic population wandering rather than establishing permanent settlements. The wilderness generation lived as sojourners, never possessing permanent inheritance—a perpetual reminder of the cost of unbelief.

This judgment shaped Israel's corporate memory and theological understanding. Psalm 95 memorializes it as a warning against hardened hearts. The prophets invoked the wilderness period as both judgment (disobedience) and mercy (divine sustenance). The New Testament uses it as a paradigm for the danger of apostasy (1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Hebrews 3:7-4:13). The death of the Exodus generation established that God's promises are inherited by faith, not automatic birthright.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the wilderness generation's unbelief despite witnessing miracles warn against presuming on spiritual privilege or heritage?
  2. What does this passage teach about the relationship between unbelief and forfeiting spiritual inheritance?
  3. How should the forty-year delay—allowing the rebellious generation to die while preparing the next—shape our understanding of God's patience and judgment?
  4. In what ways does Hebrews 3-4's application of this passage to Christians challenge complacency in the church?
  5. What 'wilderness' periods in your spiritual journey have resulted from unbelief, and how can genuine faith restore forward progress toward God's promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְזֶ֥ה1 of 18
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הַדָּבָ֖ר2 of 18

“And this is the cause”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁר3 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

מָ֣ל4 of 18

“did circumcise”

H4135

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

יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ5 of 18

“why Joshua”

H3091

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

כָּל6 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֣ם7 of 18

“All the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בְּצֵאתָ֖ם8 of 18

“after they came out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃9 of 18

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

הַזְּכָרִ֜ים10 of 18

“that were males”

H2145

properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)

כֹּ֣ל׀11 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אַנְשֵׁ֣י12 of 18

“even all the men”

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה13 of 18

“of war”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

מֵ֤תוּ14 of 18

“died”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בַמִּדְבָּר֙15 of 18

“in the wilderness”

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ16 of 18

“by the way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

בְּצֵאתָ֖ם17 of 18

“after they came out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃18 of 18

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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 5:4 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 5:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 2:161 Corinthians 10:5Numbers 26:64-65Numbers 14:22Deuteronomy 2:14Hebrews 3:17-19

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
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