King James Version

What Does Joshua 5:7 Mean?

Joshua 5:7 in the King James Version says “And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Joshua 5:7 · KJV

Context

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.

8

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

9

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

Read Joshua 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

This verse identifies the generation that received circumcision at Gilgal: "their children, whom he raised up in their stead" (beneihem heqim tachtam, בְּנֵיהֶם הֵקִים תַּחְתָּם). The verb heqim (הֵקִים, "raised up") indicates divine action—God Himself raised this generation to replace their fathers. This was not natural succession but providential preparation of a new generation for covenant faithfulness and conquest.

The phrase "in their stead" emphasizes substitution. The children inherit what parents forfeited—not through merit but through divine grace that transcends generational failure. This demonstrates both the tragedy of unbelief (parents forfeited blessing) and the hope of grace (children receive what parents lost). God's purposes continue despite human failure.

The repetition "they had not circumcised them by the way" underscores the neglect during wilderness wandering. Yet this neglect didn't nullify God's covenant. Upon entering Canaan, He commanded renewal of the covenant sign, incorporating the new generation into covenant relationship. Theologically, this illustrates that God's covenant is both continuous (same promises to successive generations) and requires personal appropriation (each generation must receive the covenant sign and embrace covenant faith). From a Reformed perspective, this supports covenant theology's emphasis on both covenant continuity across generations and the necessity of personal faith for salvation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The phrase "whom he raised up" emphasizes divine sovereignty in preparing successive generations. While the condemned generation died, God preserved and prepared their children. This required miraculous provision—forty years of manna, water from rock, preserved clothing and shoes (Deuteronomy 29:5-6). God's judgment on parents didn't extend to destroying children, but rather preparing them for obedience their parents refused.

The new generation had advantages their parents lacked. They witnessed the consequences of unbelief (their parents' deaths), learned from failure, and were shaped by hardship. Psalm 78 recounts how God commanded that fathers teach their children, so succeeding generations would "set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments" (Psalm 78:7). The wilderness pedagogy prepared this generation for faithful obedience.

Ancient Near Eastern societies transmitted property and status through family lines. Israel's covenant operated similarly—children inherited covenant promises and responsibilities. However, unlike pagan religion which viewed divine-human relationships as automatic ethnic continuity, Israel's covenant required both divine faithfulness (preserving the covenant people) and human response (faith and obedience). The circumcision at Gilgal marked this generation's incorporation into covenant privilege and responsibility.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's raising up a new generation after the previous one's failure encourage hope when spiritual leadership or previous generations have failed?
  2. What does this passage teach about the relationship between inherited covenant promises and personal covenant responsibility?
  3. How can we ensure that the next generation learns from our failures and embraces faith rather than repeating our unbelief?
  4. In what ways does the pattern of children inheriting what parents forfeited illustrate both the tragedy of squandered opportunities and the hope of divine grace?
  5. How does covenant theology's emphasis on raising children 'in the nurture and admonition of the Lord' (Ephesians 6:4) connect to this passage's themes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְאֶת1 of 15
H853

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

בְּנֵיהֶם֙2 of 15

“And their 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

הֵקִ֣ים3 of 15

“whom he raised up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

תַּחְתָּ֔ם4 of 15
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

אֹתָ֖ם5 of 15
H853

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

מָ֥לוּ6 of 15

“because 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

יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ7 of 15

“in their stead them Joshua”

H3091

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

כִּֽי8 of 15
H3588

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

עֲרֵלִ֣ים9 of 15

“for they were uncircumcised”

H6189

properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)

הָי֔וּ10 of 15
H1961

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

כִּ֛י11 of 15
H3588

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

לֹֽא12 of 15
H3808

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

מָ֥לוּ13 of 15

“because 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

אוֹתָ֖ם14 of 15
H853

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

בַּדָּֽרֶךְ׃15 of 15

“them by the way”

H1870

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

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 5:7 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 5:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 1:39Numbers 14:31

Test Your Knowledge

Joshua 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJoshua Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Joshua 5 with CommentaryAll Joshua ChaptersComplete Joshua QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes