King James Version

What Does Joshua 5:9 Mean?

Joshua 5:9 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Joshua 5:9 · KJV

Context

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

10

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.

11

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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Commentary

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 testify to redemption, not merely impose obligation. Baptism similarly declares Christians' transfer from darkness's kingdom to light.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The wilderness generation hadn't been circumcised (verse 5), creating covenant irregularity requiring correction before conquest. Circumcision's painful recovery period (verse 8) made Israel vulnerable militarily, requiring faith that God would protect. The timing—immediately after Jordan crossing, before Jericho—showed obedience before victory. This established proper pattern: covenant faithfulness → divine blessing, not presuming blessing while disobeying. Paul later used circumcision as example of works-righteousness, distinguishing ceremonial requirement from spiritual reality (Galatians 5:6).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does baptism or other covenant signs testify to your transfer from one kingdom to another?
  2. What 'reproach' has God rolled away from your life through redemption in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 18

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙2 of 18

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל3 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ4 of 18

“unto Joshua”

H3091

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

הַיּ֥וֹם5 of 18

“This day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

גַּלּ֛וֹתִי6 of 18

“have I rolled away”

H1556

to roll (literally or figuratively)

אֶת7 of 18
H853

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

חֶרְפַּ֥ת8 of 18

“the reproach”

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

מִצְרַ֖יִם9 of 18

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

מֵֽעֲלֵיכֶ֑ם10 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וַיִּקְרָ֞א11 of 18

“is called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שֵׁ֣ם12 of 18

“from off you Wherefore the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הַמָּק֤וֹם13 of 18

“of the place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַהוּא֙14 of 18
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

גִּלְגָּ֔ל15 of 18

“Gilgal”

H1537

gilgal, the name of three places in palestine

עַ֖ד16 of 18
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֥וֹם17 of 18

“This day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּֽה׃18 of 18
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 5:9 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 5:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 4:191 Samuel 17:26Genesis 34:14Leviticus 24:14Jeremiah 9:25Joshua 24:14

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
Gilgal 1Settlement · Modern: Khirbet el Mefjir · 31.88°N, 35.46°E33 verses across 7 books
View all places in Joshua 5 →

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