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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 5:2 At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/5-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/06_Jos_05_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 5:2 - The Circumcision at Gilgal" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="At that time the LORD said to Joshua, Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again." /><script type="application/javascript" 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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/joshua/5-1.htm" title="Joshua 5:1">◄</a> Joshua 5:2 <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm" title="Joshua 5:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/joshua/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/joshua/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, &#8220Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />At that time the LORD told Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise this second generation of Israelites.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, &#8220Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />At that time Yahweh said to Joshua, “Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise the [new generation of the] sons of Israel as [was done] before.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelite men again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, &#8220Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelite men again.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />At that time Jehovah said unto Joshua, Make thee knives of flint, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joshua/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />While Israel was camped at Gilgal, the LORD said, "Joshua, make some flint knives and circumcise the rest of the Israelite men and boys." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee knives of flint, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />At that time the LORD spoke to Joshua, "Make flint knives, and circumcise the men of Israel."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then the LORD told Joshua, "Make some knives out of flint and circumcise the Israelites." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />At that time the LORD told Joshua, "Make for yourselves some flint knives and circumcise the Israelis who haven't been circumcised yet." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />At that time the LORD told Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites once again."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />At that time, the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />At that time, Yahweh said to Joshua, “Make flint knives, and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />At that time YHWH said to Joshua, “Make knives of flint for yourself, and return, circumcise the sons of Israel a second time”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> At that time said Jehovah unto Joshua, 'Make for thee knives of flint, and turn back, circumcise the sons of Israel a second time;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />In that time Jehovah said to Joshua, Make to thee swords of stone, and turning back, circumcise the sons of Israel the second time.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />At that time the Lord said to Josue: Make thee knives of stone, and circumcise the second time the children of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />So at that time, the Lord said to Joshua: “Make for yourself knives of stone, and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />On this occasion the LORD said to Joshua: Make flint knives and circumcise Israel for the second time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites a second time.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, Make for yourself a flint knife, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />At that time LORD JEHOVAH said to Yeshua: “Make for yourself a blade of flint and return, circumcise the children of Israel a second time”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said unto Joshua: 'Make thee knives of flint, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And about this time the Lord said to Joshua, Make thee stone knives of sharp stone, and sit down and circumcise the children of Israel the second time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/5-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=870" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joshua/5.htm">The Circumcision at Gilgal</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and their spirits failed for fear of the Israelites. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hî (Art:: Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">At that</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: bā·‘êṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">time</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3091.htm" title="3091: yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ (N-proper-ms) -- Or Yhowshua; from Yhovah and yasha'; Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua, the Jewish leader.">Joshua,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ă·śêh (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">“Make</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6697.htm" title="6697: ṣu·rîm (N-mp) -- Rock, cliff. Or tsur; from tsuwr; properly, a cliff; generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge.">flint</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥar·ḇō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">knives</a> <a href="/hebrew/4135.htm" title="4135: mōl (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To circumcise. A primitive root; to cut short, i.e. Curtail; by implication, to blunt; figuratively, to destroy.">and circumcise</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: wə·šūḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">once again.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/8145.htm" title="8145: šê·nîṯ (Number-ofs) -- Second (an ord. number). From shanah; properly, double, i.e. Second; also adverbially, again."></a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Genesis 17:10-14</a></span><br />This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. / You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. / Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner—even those who are not your offspring. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/4-24.htm">Exodus 4:24-26</a></span><br />Now at a lodging place along the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him. / But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin, and touched it to Moses’ feet. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. / So the LORD let him alone. (When she said, “bridegroom of blood,” she was referring to the circumcision.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/12-3.htm">Leviticus 12:3</a></span><br />And on the eighth day the flesh of the boy’s foreskin is to be circumcised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-16.htm">Deuteronomy 10:16</a></span><br />Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and stiffen your necks no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/30-6.htm">Deuteronomy 30:6</a></span><br />The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-4.htm">Jeremiah 4:4</a></span><br />Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-28.htm">Romans 2:28-29</a></span><br />A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. / No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-2.htm">Galatians 5:2-6</a></span><br />Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. / Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. / You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-11.htm">Colossians 2:11-13</a></span><br />In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. / And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead. / When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-8.htm">Acts 7:8</a></span><br />Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day. And Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/34-14.htm">Genesis 34:14-17</a></span><br />“We cannot do such a thing,” they said. “To give our sister to an uncircumcised man would be a disgrace to us. / We will consent to this on one condition, that you become circumcised like us—every one of your males. / Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We will dwell among you and become one people. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-18.htm">1 Corinthians 7:18-19</a></span><br />Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man still uncircumcised when called? He should not be circumcised. / Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-3.htm">Philippians 3:3</a></span><br />For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-7.htm">Ezekiel 44:7-9</a></span><br />In addition to all your other abominations, you brought in foreigners uncircumcised in both heart and flesh to occupy My sanctuary; you defiled My temple when you offered My food—the fat and the blood; you broke My covenant. / And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’ / This is what the Lord GOD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh may enter My sanctuary—not even a foreigner who lives among the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-4.htm">Genesis 21:4</a></span><br />When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">At that time the LORD said to Joshua, Make you sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.</p><p class="hdg">sharp knife.</p><p class="hdg">circumcise</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Genesis 17:10-14</a></b></br> This <i>is</i> my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/10-16.htm">Deuteronomy 10:16</a></b></br> Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/30-6.htm">Deuteronomy 30:6</a></b></br> And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/5-1.htm">Children</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-6.htm">Circumcise</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-6.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/joshua/5-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/4-21.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/joshua/4-20.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-37.htm">Knives</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-20.htm">Second</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-41.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/joshua/4-5.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Stone-Knives</a> <a href="/joshua/4-21.htm">Time</a> <a href="/joshua/1-7.htm">Turn</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Children</a> <a href="/joshua/5-4.htm">Circumcise</a> <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Knives</a> <a href="/joshua/6-14.htm">Second</a> <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Stone-Knives</a> <a href="/joshua/6-9.htm">Time</a> <a href="/joshua/6-14.htm">Turn</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/5-1.htm">The Canaanites are afraid</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua renews circumcision</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/5-10.htm">The Passover is kept at Gilgal</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/5-12.htm">manna ceases</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/5-13.htm">An angel appears to Joshua</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/joshua/5.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>At that time</b><br />This phrase sets the stage for a significant moment in Israel's history. The timing is crucial as it follows the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, symbolizing a new chapter for the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "time" (עֵת, 'et) often denotes a specific, divinely appointed moment. This underscores God's sovereignty and perfect timing in the unfolding of His plans for His people.<p><b>the LORD said to Joshua</b><br />Here, the direct communication from the LORD to Joshua emphasizes the divine authority and guidance that Joshua receives. The Hebrew name for LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh) is the covenant name of God, highlighting His faithfulness and commitment to His promises. Joshua, as the leader, is portrayed as a faithful servant who listens and obeys God's commands, reflecting the importance of divine guidance in leadership.<p><b>Make flint knives</b><br />The instruction to make flint knives is both practical and symbolic. Flint, a hard stone, was commonly used in ancient times for making sharp tools. The use of flint knives for circumcision connects the Israelites to their ancestors, as this was the same material used by Abraham. This act signifies a return to covenant faithfulness, as circumcision was a physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants.<p><b>and circumcise the sons of Israel</b><br />Circumcision is a critical covenantal sign given to Abraham in <a href="/genesis/17.htm">Genesis 17</a>. It represents the Israelites' unique relationship with God and their commitment to His covenant. The Hebrew word for circumcise (מוּל, mul) means to cut or to remove, symbolizing the removal of impurity and a dedication to holiness. This act of circumcision for the new generation born in the wilderness signifies a renewal of the covenant and a preparation for entering the Promised Land.<p><b>a second time</b><br />The phrase "a second time" indicates a renewal or reinstatement of the covenant practice that had been neglected during the wilderness wanderings. It highlights God's grace and the opportunity for a fresh start for the Israelites. This renewal is essential for the people to fully claim their identity as God's chosen nation and to enter the land He promised to their forefathers. The emphasis on a second chance reflects the theme of redemption and restoration that runs throughout the Bible.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joshua/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div><span class= "bld">THE CIRCUMCISION OF ISRAEL BY JOSHUA</span> (<a href="/context/joshua/5-2.htm" title="At that time the LORD said to Joshua, Make you sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.">Joshua 5:2-9</a>).<p>(2) <span class= "bld">Make thee sharp knives.</span>--Authorities are divided between the rendering "sharp knives" and "knives of flint." The first seems best supported, as far as the meaning of the <span class= "ital">words </span>is concerned. The expression is "knives of <span class= "ital">tsurim." </span>The word <span class= "ital">ts-r </span>does not seem anywhere to be connected with the material of the tool, but rather with the edge of it. <span class= "ital">Knives of keen edge </span>is, therefore, the better translation. At the same time they may have been stone knives in this instance. The idea that they were so is supported by an addition in the LXX. to <a href="/joshua/24-30.htm" title="And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathserah, which is in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash.">Joshua 24:30</a> : "They put with him (Joshua) into the tomb . . . the knives of stone with which he circumcised the children of Israel . . . and there they are to this day." The ceremony being a kind of special consecration, it is not unlikely to have been performed with special instruments, which were not used before or after. Comp. <a href="/psalms/89-43.htm" title="You have also turned the edge of his sword, and have not made him to stand in the battle.">Psalm 89:43</a>, "Thou hast turned the <span class= "ital">ts-r </span>(keen edge) of his sword;" <a href="/2_samuel/2-16.htm" title="And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: why that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.">2Samuel 2:16</a>, "Helkath Hazzurim"--i.e., the field of keen blades; <a href="/exodus/4-25.htm" title="Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband are you to me.">Exodus 4:25</a>, "Zipporah took a <span class= "ital">tzor </span>"; <a href="/ezekiel/3-9.htm" title="As an adamant harder than flint have I made your forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.">Ezekiel 3:9</a>, "an adamant harder than <span class= "ital">tzor."</span> . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">At that time.</span> Ver. I is introduced in order to explain why Joshua ventured upon the circumcision of the children of Israel at so critical a period. Nothing could more clearly evince the spirit of confidence in Jehovah which animated not only Joshua, but all the children of Israel. We read of no murmurings, although it was well known that the performance of the rite of circumcision would unfit the Israelites for active service for some days. We may imagine, and even the silence of the sacred historian may be deemed eloquent on the point, that the marvellous passage of the Jordan had inspired the Israelites with an eager desire to renew their covenant with the God who "had done so great things for them already." And although, for religious reasons, they remained inactive for four or five days, a course of action from a military point of view highly injudicious, yet such was the terror the passage of the Jordan had struck into the hearts of the Phoenicians that no attack on them was attempted, and the inhabitants of Jericho (<a href="/joshua/6-1.htm">Joshua 6:1</a>) remained under the protection of their strong walls. <span class="cmt_word">Sharp knives,</span> or <span class="accented">knives of stone</span> (<span class="hebrew">צוּר</span>; cf. <span class="hebrew">צֹר</span> <a href="/exodus/4-25.htm">Exodus 4:25</a>). The LXX., Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic versions, as well as the margins of our Bibles, render thus. On the other hand, several of the Rabbis give the same translation as the text of our version. The LXX. translator, following no doubt an ancient tradition, adds after <a href="/joshua/24-30.htm">Joshua 24:30</a>, that these knives were buried with Joshua (see note there). The idea which has found great favour lately of a "stone age," as anterior to an "iron age," of the world, will hardly derive support from this passage. That the use of stone preceded the use of iron scarcely admits of a doubt. But from <a href="/genesis/4-22.htm">Genesis 4:22</a> we learn that the use of iron had been known hundreds of years before Joshua, and yet we find him using stone knives. And we may go further. In spite of the advance of civilisation in our own day, there are still millions of human beings who have not advanced beyond the "stone age." The idea, then, of an age in which the universal use of iron has supplanted the universal use of stone is an idea which facts compel us to reject, while admitting that the use of stone must have preceded the use of iron in the infancy of the human race. In these "knives of flint," Origen, Theodoret, and others see an allusion to Christ, the rock. The second time. For "circumcise again the children of Israel the second time," the literal translation is, "return (<span class="hebrew">שׁוּב</span>) to circumcise," or, "return, circumcise" them the second time. This has perplexed the commentators and translators. It has been assumed that the text involves the idea of a former general circumcision of the people, and various are the expedients which have been resorted to in order to avoid the difficulty. Some copies of the LXX. would read <span class="hebrew">שֵׁב</span> for <span class="hebrew">שׁוּב</span> (or <span class="hebrew">יְשֵׁב</span> for <span class="hebrew">וְשׁוּב</span> Rosenmuller), and translate "sit down" <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, halt), "and circumcise" The Vulgate leaves out the word altogether. The Syriac translates literally. The Arabic reads "tomorrow" for "again." The Rabbi Solomon Jarchi falls back on the expedient of a general circumcision ordered by Moses on the departure of the children of Israel from Egypt, on account of their neglect of that rite while they sojourned there, "Nam jam antea magna multitudo simul erat circumcisa illa nocte qua egrediebantur ex AEgypto." But this is rendered highly improbable by the fact that circumcision was an Egyptian as well as a Hebrew custom, and still more so by the improbability that such an important circumstance should have been passed over in silence. Knobel regards Abraham's circumcision with that of his household as the first time (<a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Genesis 17:23</a>). Perhaps the best explanation is that the word <span class="hebrew">שׁוּב</span>, though it is rightly translated "again" here, and in several other places in Scripture, carries with it the idea of a <span class="accented">return into a former condition</span> (<span class="accented">kehre zuruck</span>, Knobel). So <a href="/genesis/26-18.htm">Genesis 26:18</a>; <a href="/genesis/30-31.htm">Genesis 30:31</a>, Hosea 2:11 (Hosea 2:9, in our version). In <a href="/2_kings/1-11.htm">2 Kings 1:11, 13</a> we have the king's <span class="accented">return to his former purpose</span> in the second and third mission to Elijah. Thus here the word is used of the <span class="accented">bringing back</span> the children of Israel to their former state, that of a people who were in the enjoyment of a visible sign and seal (<a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Romans 4:11</a>) of their being God's covenant people. The meaning therefore would seem to be, "Restore the children of Israel a second time to the position they formerly held, as visibly bound to me, and placed under my protection, by the rite of circumcision." "The person must be in favour ere the work can hope to prosper; his predecessor Moses had like to have been slain for neglect of this sacrament, when he went to call the people out of Egypt; he justly fears his own safety, if now he omit it, when they are brought into Canaan" (Bp. Hall). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/5-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">At that</span><br /><span class="heb">הַהִ֗יא</span> <span class="translit">(ha·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">time</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּעֵ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(bā·‘êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Time, now, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֤ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Joshua,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3091.htm">Strong's 3091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Make</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲשֵׂ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·śêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">flint</span><br /><span class="heb">צֻרִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(ṣu·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6697.htm">Strong's 6697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A cliff, a rock, boulder, a refuge, an edge</span><br /><br /><span class="word">knives</span><br /><span class="heb">חַֽרְב֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ḥar·ḇō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and circumcise</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(mōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4135.htm">Strong's 4135: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut short, curtail, to blunt, to destroy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sons</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">once again.”</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשׁ֛וּב</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šūḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/5-2.htm">OT History: Joshua 5:2 At that time Yahweh said to Joshua (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/5-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 5:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 5:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/5-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 5:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 5:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>