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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 5:4 Now this is why Joshua circumcised them: All those who came out of Egypt--all the men of war--had died on the journey in the wilderness after they had left Egypt.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/5-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/06_Jos_05_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 5:4 - The Circumcision at Gilgal" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now this is why Joshua circumcised them: All those who came out of Egypt--all the men of war--had died on the 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title="Lexicon"> Heb </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 />Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the wilderness on the way after leaving Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Joshua had to circumcise them because all the men who were old enough to fight in battle when they left Egypt had died in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the males of the people who came out of Egypt, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way after they had come out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now this is why Joshua circumcised them: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of war—had died on the journey in the wilderness after they had left Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And this <i>is</i> the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, <i>that were</i> males, <i>even</i> all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And this <i>is</i> the reason why Joshua circumcised them: All the people who came out of Egypt <i>who were</i> males, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way, after they had come out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way after they came out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />This is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way after they came out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way, after they came out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way when they came out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />This is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness along the way after they left Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is the reason Joshua circumcised them: All the people who came out of Egypt who were males—all the men of war—had died in the wilderness along the way after they had come out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is the reason Joshua circumcised them: All the people who came out of Egypt who were males—all the men of war—had died in the wilderness along the way after they had come out of Egypt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: all the people that came forth out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came forth out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: all the people that came forth out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came forth out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />This is the reason Joshua circumcised them: All the soldiers had died on the way through the desert after they left Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Joshua circumcised them because all of the males among the people who came out of Egypt—that is, all the warriors—had died during their journey through the wilderness following their departure from Egypt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now this is why Joshua circumcised them: All those who came out of Egypt?all the men of war?had died on the journey in the wilderness after they had left Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />This is why Joshua had to circumcise them: All the men old enough to fight when they left Egypt died on the journey through the desert after they left Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />This is the reason Joshua circumcised: all the people who came out of Egypt, who were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />This is the reason Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt, who were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way, after they came out of Egypt. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And this [is] the thing [for] which Joshua circumcises [them]: all the people who are coming out of Egypt, who are males, all the men of war have died in the wilderness, in the way, in their coming out of Egypt,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And this is the thing for which Joshua circumciseth them: all the people who are coming out of Egypt, who are males, all the men of war have died in the wilderness, in the way, in their coming out of Egypt,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And this the reason that Joshua circumcised: all the people came forth out of Egypt, the males, all the men of war, died in the desert in the way, in their coming out of Egypt.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now this is the cause of the second circumcision: All the people that came out of Egypt that were males, all the men fit for war, died in the desert, during the time of the long going about in the way. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now this is the reason for the second circumcision: All the people who departed from Egypt of the male gender, all the men fit for war, died in the desert during the very long wandering way;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />This was the reason for the circumcision: Of all the people who had come out of Egypt, every male of military age had died in the wilderness during the journey after they came out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />This is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the males of the people who came out of Egypt, all the warriors, had died during the journey through the wilderness after they had come out of Egypt.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And these are the men whom Joshua did circumcise: every male child who had been born after they had come out of Egypt, because all the men of war had died in the wilderness on the journey, after they came out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And these are those whom Yeshua circumcised: every child of the people who had gone out from Egypt, the males, because all of the men workers of war had died in the wilderness in the way when they went out from Egypt<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: all the people that came forth out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came forth out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And <i>this is</i> the way in which Joshua purified the children of Israel; as many as were born in the way, and as many as were uncircumcised of them that came out of Egypt,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/5-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=885" 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">3</span>So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: wə·zeh (Conj-w:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">Now this</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·dā·ḇār (Art:: N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">is why</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></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/4135.htm" title="4135: māl (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To circumcise. A primitive root; to cut short, i.e. Curtail; by implication, to blunt; figuratively, to destroy.">circumcised them:</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">All</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">those</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: hay·yō·ṣê (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">who came out</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: mim·miṣ·ra·yim (Prep-m:: N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">of Egypt—</a> <a href="/hebrew/2145.htm" title="2145: haz·zə·ḵā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Male. From zakar; properly, remembered, i.e. A male."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kōl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’an·šê (N-mpc) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: ham·mil·ḥā·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war.">of war—</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mê·ṯū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">had died</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: bad·de·reḵ (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">on the journey</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: ḇam·miḏ·bār (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">in the wilderness</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: bə·ṣê·ṯām (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3mp) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">after they had left</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: mim·miṣ·rā·yim (Prep-m:: N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">Egypt.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Though all who had come out were circumcised, none of those born in the wilderness on the journey from Egypt had been circumcised.…<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="/exodus/12-37.htm">Exodus 12:37-38</a></span><br />The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children. / And a mixed multitude also went up with them, along with great droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-29.htm">Numbers 14:29-31</a></span><br />Your bodies will fall in this wilderness—all who were numbered in the census, everyone twenty years of age or older—because you have grumbled against Me. / Surely none of you will enter the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. / But I will bring your children, whom you said would become plunder, into the land you have rejected—and they will enjoy it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/2-14.htm">Deuteronomy 2:14-16</a></span><br />The time we spent traveling from Kadesh-barnea until we crossed over the Brook of Zered was thirty-eight years, until that entire generation of fighting men had perished from the camp, as the LORD had sworn to them. / Indeed, the LORD’s hand was against them, to eliminate them from the camp, until they had all perished. / Now when all the fighting men among the people had died,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/26-63.htm">Numbers 26:63-65</a></span><br />These were the ones numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest when they counted the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho. / Among all these, however, there was not one who had been numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Wilderness of Sinai. / For the LORD had told them that they would surely die in the wilderness. Not one was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-35.htm">Deuteronomy 1:35-39</a></span><br />“Not one of the men of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your fathers, / except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land on which he has set foot, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly.” / The LORD was also angry with me on your account, and He said, “Not even you shall enter the land. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-22.htm">Numbers 14:22-23</a></span><br />not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness—yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times— / not one will ever see the land that I swore to give their fathers. None of those who have treated Me with contempt will see it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/32-11.htm">Numbers 32:11-13</a></span><br />‘Because they did not follow Me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years of age or older who came out of Egypt will see the land that I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob— / not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun—because they did follow the LORD wholeheartedly.’ / The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation who had done evil in His sight was gone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-16.htm">Hebrews 3:16-19</a></span><br />For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? / And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-5.htm">1 Corinthians 10:5</a></span><br />Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/95-10.htm">Psalm 95:10-11</a></span><br />For forty years I was angry with that generation, and I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known My ways.” / So I swore on oath in My anger, “They shall never enter My rest.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/8-2.htm">Deuteronomy 8:2-4</a></span><br />Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. / He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. / Your clothing did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-33.htm">Numbers 14:33-34</a></span><br />Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness. / In keeping with the forty days you spied out the land, you shall bear your guilt forty years—a year for each day—and you will experience My alienation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/29-5.htm">Deuteronomy 29:5-6</a></span><br />For forty years I led you in the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out. / You ate no bread and drank no wine or strong drink, so that you might know that I am the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-21.htm">Nehemiah 9:21</a></span><br />For forty years You sustained them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-36.htm">Acts 7:36-38</a></span><br />He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness. / This is the same Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.’ / He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">All the</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/14-22.htm">Numbers 14:22</a></b></br> Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/26-64.htm">Numbers 26:64,65</a></b></br> But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/2-16.htm">Deuteronomy 2:16</a></b></br> So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/32-40.htm">Age</a> <a href="/joshua/1-6.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/joshua/5-2.htm">Circumcise</a> <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Circumciseth</a> <a href="/joshua/2-13.htm">Death</a> <a href="/joshua/4-13.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/34-7.htm">Died</a> <a href="/joshua/2-10.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Males</a> <a href="/joshua/4-13.htm">Military</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-15.htm">Overtaken</a> <a href="/joshua/4-6.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/joshua/4-13.htm">War</a> <a href="/joshua/1-4.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/joshua/3-16.htm">Way</a> <a href="/joshua/1-4.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/13-1.htm">Age</a> <a href="/joshua/6-18.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/joshua/5-7.htm">Circumcise</a> <a href="/joshua/5-5.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/genesis/21-4.htm">Circumciseth</a> <a href="/joshua/6-21.htm">Death</a> <a href="/joshua/5-5.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/joshua/10-11.htm">Died</a> <a href="/joshua/5-5.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/joshua/5-7.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-10.htm">Males</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-4.htm">Military</a> <a href="/judges/20-41.htm">Overtaken</a> <a href="/joshua/9-13.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/joshua/5-6.htm">War</a> <a href="/joshua/5-5.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/joshua/5-5.htm">Way</a> <a href="/joshua/5-5.htm">Wilderness</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 /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joshua/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now this is why Joshua circumcised them:</b><br>The act of circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham (<a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Genesis 17:10-14</a>). It symbolized the Israelites' commitment to God and their identity as His chosen people. Joshua's decision to circumcise the new generation underscores the importance of renewing this covenant before entering the Promised Land. This act also signifies a spiritual preparation and purification, aligning with the theme of consecration seen throughout the Old Testament.<p><b>All those who came out of Egypt:</b><br>This phrase refers to the original generation of Israelites who were delivered from slavery in Egypt. Their exodus was a pivotal event in Israel's history, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness. The deliverance from Egypt is frequently referenced throughout the Bible as a foundational act of salvation and liberation (Exodus 12-14).<p><b>all the men of war:</b><br>The "men of war" were those who were counted as able-bodied soldiers, typically aged 20 and above (<a href="/numbers/1-3.htm">Numbers 1:3</a>). This demographic was crucial for the conquest of Canaan, yet the original generation failed to trust God fully, leading to their demise in the wilderness. This highlights the importance of faith and obedience in fulfilling God's promises.<p><b>had died on the journey in the wilderness:</b><br>The death of the original generation in the wilderness was a direct consequence of their disobedience and lack of faith, as recorded in <a href="/numbers/14-29.htm">Numbers 14:29-35</a>. This period of wandering lasted 40 years, during which God provided for the Israelites but also disciplined them. The wilderness journey serves as a reminder of the consequences of unbelief and the necessity of trusting in God's promises.<p><b>after they had left Egypt:</b><br>The departure from Egypt marks the beginning of Israel's journey towards the Promised Land. It was a transition from slavery to freedom, yet the journey was fraught with challenges due to the people's rebellion and lack of faith. This phrase emphasizes the contrast between the initial deliverance and the subsequent failure to enter the land due to disobedience. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of perseverance and faithfulness in the Christian walk.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading them into the Promised Land.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land of bondage from which the Israelites were delivered.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/wilderness.htm">Wilderness</a></b><br>The place where the Israelites wandered for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/circumcision.htm">Circumcision</a></b><br>A covenantal sign given to Abraham and his descendants, symbolizing their unique relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_renewal.htm">Covenant Renewal</a></b><br>The act of circumcision in <a href="/joshua/5-4.htm">Joshua 5:4</a> represents a renewal of the covenant with God. It is a reminder of the importance of maintaining our commitments to God and His commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/generational_faithfulness.htm">Generational Faithfulness</a></b><br>The new generation of Israelites needed to embrace the covenant for themselves. This teaches us the importance of passing down faith and ensuring that each generation understands and commits to God's promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_and_consequences.htm">Obedience and Consequences</a></b><br>The death of the previous generation in the wilderness serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience. It encourages us to trust and obey God fully to avoid spiritual stagnation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_preparation.htm">Spiritual Preparation</a></b><br>Before entering the Promised Land, the Israelites needed to be spiritually prepared. This underscores the importance of spiritual readiness in our own lives before undertaking new ventures or challenges.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_joshua_15_1-12's_borders_conflict.htm">Do the territorial descriptions in Joshua 15:1-12 conflict with other biblical texts or known ancient boundaries, suggesting an editorial or historical inconsistency?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_supernatural_gathering_in_ps._50_5.htm">In Psalm 50:5, is there any evidence for a supernatural gathering of God's people in ancient history or archaeology?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_paul's_450_years_conflict_ot.htm">Acts 13:19-20: Why does Paul's recounting of Israel's history (a 450-year period) seem to conflict with Old Testament timelines?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_the_bible_comfort_grief.htm">How does God provide deliverance from troubles?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joshua/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">The cause why Joshua did circumcise.</span>--As the narrative stands it is not quite obvious why uncircumcision is called "the reproach of Egypt," whereas all the people born in Egypt were circumcised. The uncircumcision attached to those who were born in the wilderness, during the years of wandering. But that period of wandering, between the departure from Kadesh-barnea and the return to Kadesh (thirty-seven and a half years, Numbers 15-19, inclusive), is a kind of blank in the story of the Exodus. The five chapters which belong to it in the Book of Numbers contain no note of progress as to time or place. The people had "turned back in their hearts to Egypt" (<a href="/acts/7-39.htm" title="To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,">Acts 7:39</a>; <a href="/numbers/14-4.htm" title="And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.">Numbers 14:4</a>), and were bearing the reproach of their apostasy all those years, "the reproach of Egypt." Suffering under the "breach of promise" of Jehovah (<a href="/numbers/14-34.htm" title="After the number of the days in which you searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall you bear your iniquities, even forty years, and you shall know my breach of promise.">Numbers 14:34</a>), they appear to have omitted the sign of the covenant, as though they were no longer the people of God. The passage of Jordan was the practical proof of Israel's restoration to Divine favour, and they were brought into covenant with Him once more.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">After they came out from Egypt.</span> Rather "<span class="accented">on their journey</span> from Egypt." See next verse, where the same words are translated "as they came out." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/5-4.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">Now this</span><br /><span class="heb">וְזֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is why</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדָּבָ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(had·dā·ḇār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Joshua</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ</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">circumcised them:</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(māl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person 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">All</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">those</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who came out</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיֹּצֵא֩</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yō·ṣê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Egypt—</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמִּצְרַ֨יִם</span> <span class="translit">(mim·miṣ·ra·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> </span><span class="str2">Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֣ל ׀</span> <span class="translit">(kōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the men</span><br /><span class="heb">אַנְשֵׁ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(’an·šê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_582.htm">Strong's 582: </a> </span><span class="str2">Man, mankind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of war—</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mil·ḥā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4421.htm">Strong's 4421: </a> </span><span class="str2">A battle, war</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had died</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵ֤תוּ</span> <span class="translit">(mê·ṯū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the journey</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(bad·de·reḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the wilderness</span><br /><span class="heb">בַמִּדְבָּר֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḇam·miḏ·bār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pasture, a desert, speech</span><br /><br /><span class="word">after they had left</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּצֵאתָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṣê·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Egypt.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(mim·miṣ·rā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> </span><span class="str2">Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/5-4.htm">Joshua 5:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/5-4.htm">Joshua 5:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/5-4.htm">Joshua 5:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/5-4.htm">Joshua 5:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/5-4.htm">Joshua 5:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/5-4.htm">Joshua 5:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/5-4.htm">Joshua 5:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/5-4.htm">Joshua 5:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/5-4.htm">Joshua 5:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/5-4.htm">Joshua 5:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/5-4.htm">OT History: Joshua 5:4 This is the reason Joshua circumcised: all (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/5-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 5:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 5:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/5-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 5:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 5:5" /></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>