Joshua Chapter 5 — Renewal and the Commander of the Lord
The Israelites renew their covenant with God through circumcision and the Passover at Gilgal before the manna stops and Joshua meets a divine visitor.
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Notable Verses
Joshua 5:9
“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.”
This verse explains the naming of Gilgal and signifies the end of the shame associated with their time in Egypt and the wilderness.
Joshua 5:12
“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.”
This marks a major turning point from the miraculous provision of the wilderness to the inheritance of the Promised Land.
Joshua 5:14
“He said, “No; but I have come now as commander of the LORD’s army.””
This encounter reminds Joshua that the upcoming conquest is led by divine authority and not merely human military strategy.
Chapter Summary
Following the crossing of the Jordan River, the surrounding kings are gripped by fear. At the Lord's command, Joshua circumcises the generation born during the forty years of wilderness wandering, rolling away the 'reproach of Egypt' at Gilgal. The nation then celebrates the Passover on the plains of Jericho. Significantly, the manna that sustained them for decades ceases as they begin to eat the produce and parched grain of Canaan. As Joshua prepares for the siege of Jericho, he encounters a man with a drawn sword who identifies himself as the commander of the Lord's army. Joshua is told to remove his sandals because he is standing on holy ground, marking a divine commissioning for the upcoming battles.
Frequently Asked Questions
The generation born in the wilderness during the forty-year journey had not been circumcised. Before beginning the conquest of Canaan, the people needed to renew this sign of their covenant with God at Gilgal.
The manna ceased once the Israelites began to eat the produce and grain of the land of Canaan. This transition marked the end of their nomadic dependence and the beginning of life in their new inheritance.
Joshua encountered a man with a drawn sword who identified himself as the commander of the Lord's army. This divine figure instructed Joshua to remove his sandals, indicating the ground was holy, similar to Moses' encounter at the burning bush.
Study Note
The name Gilgal is associated with the Hebrew word galal, meaning 'to roll,' signifying the rolling away of Egypt's reproach.
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