FocusCommission, crossing, and covenant signs
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Joshua's commission and the Jordan crossing lead into renewed covenant signs before the campaigns begin.
interpretation Joshua 5:6
KJVFor 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.
Read it in context
The Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal
Start reading at Joshua 5:1 (Joshua 5:1 to Joshua 5:12).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Joshua's commission and the Jordan crossing lead into renewed covenant signs before the campaigns begin.
- 5:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
- 5:2 At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.
- 5:3 And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.
- 5:4 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.
- 5:5 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.
- 5:6 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.
- 5:7 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.
- 5:8 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.
- 5:9 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.
- 5:10 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.
- 5:11 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.
- 5:12 And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Joshua is the traditional principal author, and Joshua 24:26 credits him with writing covenant words. The closing record of his death and later events means the completed account includes a later contribution. Biblical references: Joshua 24:26; Joshua 24:29. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Joshua 5:1–5:15): Joshua and the Israelites undergo covenant renewal and keep Passover. Joshua is the immediate hearer in the meeting with the captain of the LORD's host. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israel living in the land and later generations learning how the land was allotted and why covenant faithfulness mattered. No individual first recipient is known. Biblical references: Joshua 4:6; Joshua 4:21; Joshua 24:24. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal. Read Joshua 5:1 through Joshua 5:12 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Joshua's commission and the Jordan crossing lead into renewed covenant signs before the campaigns begin. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account follows Moses' death and proceeds through the entry, campaigns, allotments, and Joshua's final covenant addresses. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The people cross from east of Jordan into Canaan. Campaign locations, tribal boundaries, and cities are distinct settings within that broader movement. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal (Joshua 5:1 to Joshua 5:12). Start reading at Joshua 5:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Hebrews 4 distinguishes the rest associated with Joshua from the rest still discussed in its exhortation. In the KJV of Hebrews 4:8, the name Jesus refers in context to Joshua. See Joshua 1:1, Hebrews 4:8, Hebrews 4:9. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Take the repeated calls to faithfulness and obedience seriously. Historical warfare commands to Israel should not be converted into permission for a reader's private violence. interpretation
Cited: Joshua 5:1, Joshua 5:12, Joshua 1:1, Hebrews 4:8, Hebrews 4:9
Who wrote it, and how we know
Joshua (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book records that Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God.
Joshua 24:26
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) names Joshua.
What is debatedThe closing verses record Joshua's death and later events, so a later hand completed the book.
Related passages
- walked Num 14:32-34 Deut 1:3 Deut 2:7,14 Deut 8:4 Ps 95:10-11 Jer 2:2
- sware that Num 14:23 Heb 3:11
- a land Exod 3:8,17 Ezek 20:6,15 Joel 3:18
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Joshua 5
Joshua concerns Israel's entry into Canaan, the distribution of the land, and covenant exhortations. It identifies Joshua's leadership and records his writing in Joshua 24:26, but that does not establish that he wrote every later event in the book. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Joshua 1:1 Joshua 24:26 Joshua 24:29
The Commander of the LORD’s Army
Joshua 5:13–15FocusVictory, failure, and the LORD's commands
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The campaigns include both victories and Israel's failure concerning the devoted things; the record ends with a list of defeated kings.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Joshua
Joshua concerns Israel's entry into Canaan, the distribution of the land, and covenant exhortations. It identifies Joshua's leadership and records his writing in Joshua 24:26, but that does not establish that he wrote every later event in the book.
Joshua 1:1 Joshua 24:26 Joshua 24:29
FocusCommission, crossing, and covenant signs
Connection to the wholeJoshua's commission and the Jordan crossing lead into renewed covenant signs before the campaigns begin.
interpretation Conflict and the taking of the land
Joshua 5:13–12:24FocusVictory, failure, and the LORD's commands
Connection to the wholeThe campaigns include both victories and Israel's failure concerning the devoted things; the record ends with a list of defeated kings.
interpretation The land distributed
Joshua 13:1–21:45FocusInheritance and provision
Connection to the wholeBoundaries, allotments, refuge cities, and Levitical cities describe the ordering of Israel's inheritance.
interpretation The tribes and the covenant
Joshua 22:1–24:33FocusUnity, loyalty, and final exhortation
Connection to the wholeThe closing events and Joshua's speeches urge the tribes to serve the LORD and warn against abandoning the covenant.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.