King James Version

What Does Joshua 5:5 Mean?

Joshua 5:5 in the King James Version says “Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as the...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Joshua 5:5 · King James Version

Context

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.

7

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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Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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.

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 the people that came out" and "all the people that were born in the wilderness" distinguishes between the condemned generation and their children who would inherit Canaan.

The phrase "them they had not circumcised" (lo-malu otam, לֹא־מָלוּ אֹתָם) states the problem requiring remedy. An entire generation of Israelite males—potentially hundreds of thousands—bore no covenant sign. This created theological crisis: how could God's covenant people, inheriting covenant promises, lack the covenant sign? The answer lies in divine forbearance during judgment—God did not destroy them for neglecting circumcision but waited until judgment passed before renewing the practice.

Theologically, this demonstrates that God's covenant faithfulness transcends human unfaithfulness. Despite Israel's failure to maintain the covenant sign, God preserved them, brought them to Canaan's border, and now renews covenant relationship. This illustrates the gospel pattern: salvation depends on God's faithfulness, not human performance. The renewal of circumcision before conquest shows that while salvation is by grace through faith, covenant faithfulness involves both divine gift and human obedience—God circumcises hearts, but commands physical sign of that reality.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The cessation of circumcision during wilderness wandering has puzzled commentators. Some suggest the unsettled nomadic lifestyle made the procedure impractical or dangerous. Others propose it reflected divine displeasure with the rebellious generation—their sons would not receive the covenant sign until judgment ended. The text doesn't explicitly state the reason, leaving interpretive options.

Ancient Near Eastern circumcision practices varied. Egyptians circumcised males, often at puberty, as a rite of passage. Other cultures practiced it rarely or not at all. Israel's uniqueness lay not in the practice itself but in its covenantal significance—circumcision marked membership in Yahweh's covenant people, not merely ethnic identity or social maturation. The eight-day timing (Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:3) distinguished Israel from Egyptian puberty circumcision.

The renewal of circumcision at Gilgal restored covenant order. The generation about to conquer Canaan would bear the covenant sign given to Abraham. This prepared them to celebrate Passover (Joshua 5:10)—the memorial of exodus and redemption—for the first time in Canaan. Passover required circumcision (Exodus 12:48), so covenant renewal was essential for worship renewal. The pattern demonstrates that worship and conquest, spiritual formation and military action, covenant faithfulness and blessing reception, are inseparable.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's patience during the forty years of uncircumcision demonstrate His forbearance with covenant unfaithfulness?
  2. What does the eventual renewal of circumcision teach about God's commitment to restore what human failure disrupts?
  3. How do we sometimes live as 'uncircumcised' Christians—bearing the name but lacking the internal reality of covenant transformation?
  4. What relationship exists between receiving covenant signs (baptism, Lord's Supper) and entering fully into covenant blessings?
  5. How does this passage illustrate that God's covenant faithfulness is ultimately more determinative than human covenant-keeping?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כִּֽי1 of 15

“Now”

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מָֽלוּ׃2 of 15

“them they had not circumcised”

H4135

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

הָי֔וּ3 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כָּל4 of 15
H3605

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

הָ֠עָם5 of 15

“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

בְּצֵאתָ֥ם6 of 15

“as they came forth”

H3318

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

וְכָל7 of 15
H3605

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

הָ֠עָם8 of 15

“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

הַיִּלֹּדִ֨ים9 of 15

“that were born”

H3209

born

בַּמִּדְבָּ֥ר10 of 15

“in the wilderness”

H4057

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

בַּדֶּ֛רֶךְ11 of 15

“by the way”

H1870

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

בְּצֵאתָ֥ם12 of 15

“as they came forth”

H3318

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

מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם13 of 15

“out of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לֹא14 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מָֽלוּ׃15 of 15

“them they had not circumcised”

H4135

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

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 5:5 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 5:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 2:26Deuteronomy 12:8-9Galatians 6:15Matthew 12:7Hosea 6:6-71 Corinthians 7:19

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Joshua 5 →

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