Joshua 5

When all the kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, who were by the sea, heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, their heart melted, and there was no more spirit in them, because of the children of Israel.

At that time, the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives, and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.”

Joshua made himself flint knives, and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

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.

For all the people who came out were circumcised; but all the people who were born in the wilderness along the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised.

For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness until all the nation, even the men of war who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they didn’t listen to the LORD’s voice. The LORD swore to them that he wouldn’t let them see the land which the LORD swore to their fathers that he would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Their children, whom he raised up in their place, were circumcised by Joshua, for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them on the way.

When they were done circumcising the whole nation, they stayed in their places in the camp until they were healed.

The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of that place was called Gilgal to this day.

The children of Israel encamped in Gilgal. They kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at evening in the plains of Jericho.

They ate unleavened cakes and parched grain of the produce of the land on the next day after the Passover, in the same day.

The manna ceased on the next day, after they had eaten of the produce of the land. The children of Israel didn’t have manna any more, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood in front of him with his sword drawn in his hand. Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our enemies?”

He said, “No; but I have come now as commander of the LORD’s army.” Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshiped, and asked him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”

The prince of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals, for the place on which you stand is holy.” Joshua did so.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview. This chapter marks a pivotal transition in Israel’s journey as they enter the Promised Land, highlighting both spiritual renewal and divine presence. After decades in the wilderness, the people are reinitiated into the covenant through circumcision, celebrate the Passover as free inhabitants of the land, and receive the visitation of the commander of the Lord’s army—signaling that the era of conquest is now commencing under God’s direct authority.

Flow.

The fear of the Canaanite kings is established, showing that God has gone before Israel in power.
God commands Joshua to lead a national circumcision at Gilgal, restoring the sign of the covenant that had been neglected during the wilderness years.
The people celebrate the Passover and begin eating the produce of the land, marking the end of manna and the fulfillment of God’s promise.
The appearance of the commander of the Lord’s army confirms divine presence and sets the tone for the conquest, with Joshua receiving instructions to worship on holy ground.

Connections. Following chapter 4, where the crossing of the Jordan is memorialized by the twelve stones, chapter 5 deepens the significance of that event by grounding Israel’s identity in covenant obedience and worship. Circumcision and Passover reestablish the people as the covenant community now dwelling in the land promised long ago. This preparation—both ritual and spiritual—directly precedes the campaign against Jericho in chapter 6, which depends on unwavering trust in the Lord’s commands rather than military strategy.

What it teaches. The renewal of circumcision underscores the necessity of covenant faithfulness and the continuity of God’s promises to Abraham (WCF 7.6; BC Article 27). Though judgment fell on the previous generation for unbelief, God raised up a new generation to fulfill His oath, demonstrating that His covenant is both solemn and steadfast. The cessation of manna (Josh. 5:12) signifies the end of a wilderness economy and the commencement of life in the land, while the celebration of Passover (Josh. 5:10) reaffirms Israel’s identity rooted in redemption. The appearance of the commander of the Lord’s army, to whom Joshua renders worship, points to a divine presence distinct within the Godhead—consistent with those theophanies that reveal Christ pre-incarnate (HC LD 17, Q&A 45; WCF 8.2).

Apply. The ground where Christ meets His people is holy, and He comes not as ally but as Lord to command worship.

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