Joshua 5:4

Translations

Modern

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.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And this is the reason that Joshua circumcised them: All the people who came out of Egypt, males, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way after they had come out of Egypt.

Latin

Hæc autem causa est secundæ circumcisionis: omnis populus, qui egressus est de Ægypto generis masculini, universi bellatores viri, mortui sunt in deserto per longissimos viæ circuitus,

Original

Hebrew

English

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.

Notes

Joshua 5:4–7

This unexpected change in the story reminds us of Israel's earlier refusal to believe that God would safely bring them into Canaan (Numbers 14). This summary of God's judgment against their ancestors was a reminder to the current generation. They still needed to trust God in order to occupy the land their ancestors lost. Additionally, it marked the end of God's judgment on the previous generation.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua Circumcision Circumcision in the New Testament

Events

War with Canaanites

Related verses

Numbers 26:64–65
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.
Deuteronomy 2:16
Now when all the fighting men among the people had died,
1 Corinthians 10:5
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.
Hebrews 3:17–19
And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
Numbers 14:22
…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—
Deuteronomy 2:14
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.

People

Joshua: Moses' assistant who led Israel into Canaan

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Circumcision Conquest and Allotment of the Land Deuteronomy, Book of Gilgal Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Numbers, Book of Rahab (Person) Tribe of Dan

Topics

Circumcision: Israelites at Gilgal Gilgal: Place of the First Encampment of the Israelites West of the Jordan River: Circumcision Renewed At Revivals: Under Joshua

Joshua 5:4

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