Joshua 5:2 kjv
At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.
Joshua 5:2 nkjv
At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time."
Joshua 5:2 niv
At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again."
Joshua 5:2 esv
At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time."
Joshua 5:2 nlt
At that time the LORD told Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise this second generation of Israelites. "
Joshua 5 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 17:10-14 | This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you... every male among you shall be circumcised. | Establishes circumcision as the foundational sign of the Abrahamic covenant. |
| Ex 4:24-26 | At a lodging place on the way the LORD met him and sought to put him to death. But Zipporah took a flint... | Foregrounds the seriousness of obedience regarding circumcision, and the use of flint. |
| Lev 12:3 | And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. | Outlines the specific law for circumcision within the Mosaic Covenant. |
| Num 14:26-35 | The LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, "How long shall this evil congregation grumble against me?... Surely not one of these men of this evil generation..." | Explains the reason for the wilderness wandering and why the original generation died out. |
| Deut 1:35 | 'Not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land...' | Reiteration of divine judgment on the rebellious wilderness generation. |
| Deut 2:16 | "...when all the men of war had perished and were dead from among the people." | Marks the end of the disobedient generation before Israel enters Transjordan. |
| Josh 3:5 | Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” | Illustrates prior spiritual preparation required before significant divine action. |
| Josh 5:4-7 | (Explains that) all the people who came out of Egypt... had died in the wilderness... all the males born in the wilderness had not been circumcised. | Provides the immediate contextual reason and necessity for the command in Josh 5:2. |
| Josh 5:9 | And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” | Reveals the direct spiritual consequence and significance of this mass circumcision. |
| Rom 2:28-29 | For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly... True circumcision is a matter of the heart... | Presents the spiritual essence of circumcision in the New Covenant. |
| Rom 4:11 | He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith... | Explains circumcision as a physical sign confirming an internal spiritual reality of faith. |
| Col 2:11-13 | In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh... | Describes spiritual circumcision in Christ, the New Covenant fulfillment. |
| Gal 3:6-9 | Just as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness—know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. | Shifts the basis of belonging to Abraham's covenant from physical descent to faith. |
| Gal 5:6 | For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. | Underscores that the physical rite has no salvific value in the New Covenant. |
| Gal 6:15 | For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. | Emphasizes inner spiritual transformation over external rituals for believers. |
| Phil 3:3 | For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh... | Defines the true people of God under the New Covenant through spiritual worship. |
| Deut 23:14 | Because the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and to give up your enemies before you, therefore your camp must be holy. | General principle of divine presence requiring purity within Israel's camp, pertinent before battles. |
| 1 Sam 17:26 | For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? | Shows how being uncircumcised was seen as a mark of being outside God's covenant and protection. |
| 1 Cor 10:5 | Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. | Reinforces divine displeasure and judgment on the unfaithful wilderness generation. |
| Acts 7:8 | And God gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day. | Recalls the historical institution of circumcision within Israel's covenant story. |
Joshua 5 verses
Joshua 5 2 Meaning
Joshua 5:2 records a divine command given to Joshua at Gilgal, just prior to the Israelites commencing their conquest of Canaan. The LORD instructs Joshua to make flint knives and re-establish the sign of the covenant—circumcision—among the male members of the new generation of Israelites. This command was a crucial act of spiritual renewal and national re-dedication, signifying their covenant relationship with God and preparing them to receive His promised inheritance.
Joshua 5 2 Context
Joshua chapter 5 signifies a profound transition for Israel. Following the miraculous parting of the Jordan River and their secure entry into the Promised Land, setting up their first camp at Gilgal, a spiritual recalibration occurs before any military engagement. Verse 2 initiates this pivotal phase. The command for mass circumcision precedes the celebration of the Passover (v. 10) and the cessation of manna (v. 12), all collectively marking the end of the wilderness journey and the beginning of life in Canaan. This command addresses a generation born in the wilderness that had not received the covenant sign, contrasting them with their unfaithful parents who died there. The act of circumcision was paramount as a declaration of renewed covenant allegiance, particularly crucial before embarking on the holy conquest of a land filled with pagan peoples. It demonstrated Israel's reliance on God's protection even when physically vulnerable.
Joshua 5 2 Word analysis
- "At that time": Indicates an immediate and significant moment after the Jordan River crossing and encampment at Gilgal, highlighting the opportune nature of God's command for national renewal.
- "the LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): Emphasizes that the directive originates from the sovereign covenant God of Israel, highlighting the command's divine authority and foundational importance for His people.
- "said to Joshua" (וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ, vayyomer YHWH el Yehoshu'a): Establishes Joshua's divine appointment and leadership. The command directly from God signifies His continuing guidance of Israel through His chosen leader, just as with Moses.
- "Make" (עָשָׂה, ʿāśāh): A strong imperative verb meaning "to do, make, or prepare." It indicates a specific, tangible action required from Joshua, emphasizing the immediate execution of God's will.
- "flint knives" (חַרְב֥וֹת צֻרִ֛ים, ḥarbōt tṣūrīm): Literally "knives of flints/rocks." Flint, a primitive material, not iron, links this event to the earliest practice of circumcision (cf. Ex 4:25). It may signify a return to the foundational purity of the covenant or using what was readily available in the desert setting, stripping away anything "modern" for this sacred act.
- "circumcise" (מוּל, mūl): The act of ritual removal of the male foreskin, serving as the visible, physical sign of the Abrahamic covenant. Its performance marked an individual as consecrated to God and belonging to His covenant people.
- "the Israelites" (בְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל, Bᵉnê Yiśrāʾēl): Refers to the entire nation, emphasizing the communal nature of this act. This was a national reaffirmation of the covenant, particularly for the new generation who would inherit the land.
- "again" (שֵׁנִית, šēniṯ): This Hebrew term means "a second time" or "again." It signifies a distinct national circumcision, following Abraham's initial establishment of the rite, and a renewal after a significant lapse during the wilderness wandering. It doesn't imply re-circumcision of the same individuals but the re-institution of the practice for a generation born largely uncircumcised.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "the LORD said to Joshua": Establishes divine sovereignty and Joshua’s pivotal role as God’s agent. This clarifies that the upcoming critical action is not a human strategic move, but a sacred command.
- "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites": Details both the tool and the act. The specification of "flint knives" underscores an archaic, perhaps more solemn, method that linked the new generation back to the original covenant traditions. The command itself signals a vital covenantal and spiritual purification for the entire male population before proceeding.
- "again, the second time": These words underscore the discontinuity and subsequent re-establishment of the covenant sign. It highlights that this circumcision event was uniquely significant because it resumed a practice that had been largely absent during the forty-year wilderness journey, signaling a fresh start and a renewed relationship with God as they entered the Promised Land.
Joshua 5 2 Bonus section
The cessation of circumcision during the wilderness wandering (explained in Josh 5:4-7) is significant. Scholars propose various reasons, including the practicalities and health risks of a nomadic life and frequent travel. More profoundly, it is also interpreted as a consequence of divine judgment against the generation that rebelled at Kadesh-Barnea and was condemned to die in the wilderness; God temporarily suspended the full covenant sign for a people disobedient to the covenant. This act in Joshua 5:2 therefore signifies the end of that period of discipline and a visible re-engagement with God's covenant blessings for the new, faithful generation poised to enter and inherit the land. Their vulnerability during the recovery period (approximately three days) further emphasized their utter reliance on God for protection, as any attacking Canaanite forces would have found them virtually defenceless. This daring act of faith showcases the deep spiritual truths foundational to Israel's victories.
Joshua 5 2 Commentary
Joshua 5:2 details a pivotal moment of spiritual cleansing and covenant renewal for the Israelite nation. This command to mass circumcise at Gilgal, right on the threshold of conquering Canaan, underscores that holiness and covenant faithfulness are prerequisites for engaging in God's battles and claiming His promises. The flint knives symbolize a return to ancient covenant purity, possibly evoking simplicity and reliance on traditional forms. The "again, the second time" refers to a new national circumcision, addressing the generation born in the wilderness who were largely uncircumcised—a situation born either out of nomadic difficulties or divine judgment. By performing this act, the Israelites visibly reaffirmed their identity as God's set-apart people, a crucial act before they began the conquest. This immediate vulnerability, right within enemy territory, speaks volumes of their absolute trust in God's protective hand, demonstrating that divine enablement follows human obedience and sanctification. It marks the "rolling away of the reproach of Egypt" (Josh 5:9), transforming them from a wandering, judged people into a nation renewed and prepared for their inheritance.
Examples: Believers committing to consistent prayer and Bible study before starting a new ministry project. A church dedicating its members through prayer and repentance before embarking on a community outreach program.