1
When all the kings of the Amorites on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted, and their courage failed because of the Israelites.
2
At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again, a second time.”
3
So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at the Hill of the Foreskins.
4
This is why Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt, that is, the males, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way, after they came out of Egypt.
5
For all the people who came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness on the journey after they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised.
6
For the Israelites had walked in the wilderness forty years, until all the nation had perished, that is, the men of war who came out of Egypt and did not listen to the word of the LORD. To them the LORD had sworn that he would not let them see the land that the LORD had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.
7
But their children, whom he raised up in their place, these Joshua circumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the journey.
8
When the whole nation had finished being circumcised, they stayed in their places in the camp until they were healed.
9
And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the disgrace of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.
10
While camped at Gilgal, the Israelites kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month, in the evening, on the plains of Jericho.
11
And on the day after the Passover they ate the produce of the land, unleavened bread and roasted grain, on that very day.
12
Then the manna ceased on the next day after they had eaten the produce of the land. So the Israelites no longer had manna, but that year they ate the produce of the land of Canaan.
13
When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing before him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went to him and asked him, “Are you for us, or for our enemies?”
14
He answered, “No; but I am the Commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” Then Joshua fell on his face to the ground, worshiped, and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”
15
And the Commander of the army of the LORD said to Joshua, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.
✂️🍞⚔️ Summary of Joshua 5 – Renewal of Circumcision, the Passover Feast, and the of the Commander of the LORD
Joshua 5 is an important chapter that marks the spiritual transition of the people of Israel before they began to conquer Canaan. The LORD commanded the circumcision of the new generation, they celebrated the first Passover in the Promised Land, and Joshua met the Commander of the army of the LORD.
📌 1. The Canaanites Were Afraid (verse 1)
- After the miracle at the Jordan River, the kings of Canaan were shaken.
“Their hearts melted… there was no spirit left in them.”
🎯 The evident power of God can make enemies afraid even before the battle begins.
📌 2. The Circumcision of the New Generation (verses 2–9)
- The LORD commanded that the new generation born in the wilderness be circumcised, because they had not been circumcised during the journey.
- After being circumcised at Gibeath-haaraloth, they stayed there until they were healed.
- The LORD said:
“Today I have rolled away the disgrace of Egypt from you.” (verse 9)
🎯 Circumcision symbolizes renewal of the covenant, and the affirmation of the people’s identity as belonging to God.
📌 3. The First Passover in the Land of Canaan (verses 10–12)
- The people of Israel celebrated the Passover at Gilgal, on the plains of Jericho.
- The next day, they ate the produce of the land, such as bread and grain.
- The manna ceased from that time on — a sign that the time of wandering had ended.
🎯 God provides in a new way — from manna to the produce of the land. This calls for greater responsibility and mature faith.
📌 4. Joshua Meets the Commander of the LORD’s Army (verses 13–15)
- Joshua saw a man with a drawn sword, and asked:
“Are you for us or for our enemies?”
The man answered:
“No, but I am the commander of the LORD’s army.”
- Joshua fell down and worshiped, and was told to take off his sandals, because the place was holy.
🎯 This meeting shows that the LORD Himself is the true Leader in battle — not merely taking Israel’s side, but Israel must take His side.
📖 Main Lessons
- The LORD requires His people to live in renewed covenant before victory.
- Worship and obedience come before spiritual or physical success.
- True victory comes when we are on the LORD’s side, not when we ask the LORD to be on ours.
- The LORD stopped giving manna because it was time for the people to learn responsibility and independence.
- Awareness of God’s holiness brings submission and reverence.
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“Circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit…”
→ Spiritual circumcision: true repentance and obedience.
“Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”
- Ephesians 6:12–13
→ We contend against spiritual powers; we need God’s armor and must follow the divine Leader.
🎯 Joshua 5 points to new life in Christ, where God’s people walk in obedience, new identity, and worship.
“Today I have rolled away the disgrace of Egypt from you.” – Joshua 5:9
“The next day they ate the produce of the land…” – Joshua 5:11
“I am the commander of the army of the LORD.” – Joshua 5:14
