They reaffirmed the covenant sign at a critical juncture in their history and reminded themselves that God is faithful to fulfill His promises in each new generation.
“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.” (Joshua 5:4). In this passage, Joshua stands at a pivotal moment in Israel’s history. The Israelites have just crossed the Jordan River under Joshua’s leadership, settling at a place called Gilgal, located near the city of Jericho. Forty years have passed since their exodus from Egypt, during which time the rebellious older generation perished in the wilderness (Numbers 14:22-23). The crossing of the Jordan marks the transition into a new era, and the LORD directs Joshua to renew the sign of the covenant—circumcision—so that Israel might be consecrated before their upcoming battles. The biblical text also notes that after their arrival in this land, the manna that sustained them ceased (Joshua 5:12), which is consistent with commentary on God’s gracious provision of manna throughout their forty-year journey.
In “This is the reason why Joshua circumcised them…” we see that the new generation of Israelites had not carried out the covenant practice of circumcision while traveling through the wilderness. Joshua’s action demonstrates the importance of maintaining covenant faithfulness, physically and spiritually (Genesis 17:9-11). Since all the original men of war had died in the wilderness, the newly born Israelites needed to be marked as belonging to the LORD, set apart as His people. They stood on holy ground, preparing for a mission that only a renewed and obedient nation could accomplish. Joshua—whose name means “Yahweh saves”—foreshadows Jesus Christ, who calls believers to an inward circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29), highlighting that ultimate salvation and victory over sin come from God alone.
By linking their renewed commitment to the sign of the covenant, the Israelites affirmed their relationship with the LORD before marching forward to conquer the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This act of circumcision was a step of faith, acknowledging God’s sovereignty and the future triumphs that awaited them in Canaan. Just as Moses had died and passed the leadership mantle to Joshua, the former ways of the older generation had given way to faithfulness in the next. The LORD would fight for them if they devoted themselves to Him, trusting His guidance.
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Joshua 5:4 meaning
“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.” (Joshua 5:4). In this passage, Joshua stands at a pivotal moment in Israel’s history. The Israelites have just crossed the Jordan River under Joshua’s leadership, settling at a place called Gilgal, located near the city of Jericho. Forty years have passed since their exodus from Egypt, during which time the rebellious older generation perished in the wilderness (Numbers 14:22-23). The crossing of the Jordan marks the transition into a new era, and the LORD directs Joshua to renew the sign of the covenant—circumcision—so that Israel might be consecrated before their upcoming battles. The biblical text also notes that after their arrival in this land, the manna that sustained them ceased (Joshua 5:12), which is consistent with commentary on God’s gracious provision of manna throughout their forty-year journey.
In “This is the reason why Joshua circumcised them…” we see that the new generation of Israelites had not carried out the covenant practice of circumcision while traveling through the wilderness. Joshua’s action demonstrates the importance of maintaining covenant faithfulness, physically and spiritually (Genesis 17:9-11). Since all the original men of war had died in the wilderness, the newly born Israelites needed to be marked as belonging to the LORD, set apart as His people. They stood on holy ground, preparing for a mission that only a renewed and obedient nation could accomplish. Joshua—whose name means “Yahweh saves”—foreshadows Jesus Christ, who calls believers to an inward circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29), highlighting that ultimate salvation and victory over sin come from God alone.
By linking their renewed commitment to the sign of the covenant, the Israelites affirmed their relationship with the LORD before marching forward to conquer the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This act of circumcision was a step of faith, acknowledging God’s sovereignty and the future triumphs that awaited them in Canaan. Just as Moses had died and passed the leadership mantle to Joshua, the former ways of the older generation had given way to faithfulness in the next. The LORD would fight for them if they devoted themselves to Him, trusting His guidance.