Bible Chapter Summary
Joshua 5 Summary
Circumcision, Passover, and the Divine Commander
Following the miraculous crossing of the Jordan, the LORD commands Joshua to circumcise the Israelite men born in the wilderness, as this practice had been neglected during the forty years of wandering; Joshua obeys, and the people recover at a place named Gilgal, where God declares the reproach of Egypt rolled away. The Israelites then observe the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho, eating of the produce of Canaan, after which the manna that had sustained them for forty years ceases entirely. Near Jericho, Joshua encounters a man with a drawn sword who identifies himself as the captain of the LORD's host; Joshua falls in worship, and the figure commands him to remove his sandal, for the ground is holy.
Key themes
Key verses
Joshua 5:9
“And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.”
Joshua 5:10
“And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.”
Joshua 5:12
“And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.”
Joshua 5:14
“And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?”
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