Joshua 5:4
New International Version
Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the wilderness on the way after leaving Egypt.

New Living Translation
Joshua had to circumcise them because all the men who were old enough to fight in battle when they left Egypt had died in the wilderness.

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

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

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

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
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.

NASB 1977
And 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.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now 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 when they came out of Egypt.

Amplified Bible
This is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness along the way after they left Egypt.

Christian Standard Bible
This is the reason Joshua circumcised them: All the people who came out of Egypt who were males—all the men of war—had died in the wilderness along the way after they had come out of Egypt.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is the reason Joshua circumcised them: All the people who came out of Egypt who were males—all the men of war—had died in the wilderness along the way after they had come out of Egypt.

American Standard Version
And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: all the people that came forth out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came forth out of Egypt.

English Revised Version
And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: all the people that came forth out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came forth out of Egypt.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is the reason Joshua circumcised them: All the soldiers had died on the way through the desert after they left Egypt.

International Standard Version
Joshua circumcised them because all of the males among the people who came out of Egypt—that is, all the warriors—had died during their journey through the wilderness following their departure from Egypt.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
This is why Joshua had to circumcise them: All the men old enough to fight when they left Egypt died on the journey through the desert after they left Egypt.

New Heart English Bible
This is the reason Joshua circumcised: all the people who came out of Egypt, who were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
This is the reason Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt, who were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way, after they came out of Egypt.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And this [is] the thing [for] which Joshua circumcises [them]: all the people who are coming out of Egypt, who are males, all the men of war have died in the wilderness, in the way, in their coming out of Egypt,

Young's Literal Translation
And this is the thing for which Joshua circumciseth them: all the people who are coming out of Egypt, who are males, all the men of war have died in the wilderness, in the way, in their coming out of Egypt,

Smith's Literal Translation
And this the reason that Joshua circumcised: all the people came forth out of Egypt, the males, all the men of war, died in the desert in the way, in their coming out of Egypt.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now this is the cause of the second circumcision: All the people that came out of Egypt that were males, all the men fit for war, died in the desert, during the time of the long going about in the way.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now this is the reason for the second circumcision: All the people who departed from Egypt of the male gender, all the men fit for war, died in the desert during the very long wandering way;

New American Bible
This was the reason for the circumcision: Of all the people who had come out of Egypt, every male of military age had died in the wilderness during the journey after they came out of Egypt.

New Revised Standard Version
This is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the males of the people who came out of Egypt, all the warriors, had died during the journey through the wilderness after they had come out of Egypt.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And these are the men whom Joshua did circumcise: every male child who had been born after they had come out of Egypt, because all the men of war had died in the wilderness on the journey, after they came out of Egypt.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And these are those whom Yeshua circumcised: every child of the people who had gone out from Egypt, the males, because all of the men workers of war had died in the wilderness in the way when they went out from Egypt
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: all the people that came forth out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came forth out of Egypt.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And this is the way in which Joshua purified the children of Israel; as many as were born in the way, and as many as were uncircumcised of them that came out of Egypt,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Circumcision at Gilgal
3So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth. 4Now 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. 5Though all who had come out were circumcised, none of those born in the wilderness on the journey from Egypt had been circumcised.…

Cross References
Exodus 12:37-38
The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children. / And a mixed multitude also went up with them, along with great droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.

Numbers 14:29-31
Your bodies will fall in this wilderness—all who were numbered in the census, everyone twenty years of age or older—because you have grumbled against Me. / Surely none of you will enter the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. / But I will bring your children, whom you said would become plunder, into the land you have rejected—and they will enjoy it.

Deuteronomy 2:14-16
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. / Indeed, the LORD’s hand was against them, to eliminate them from the camp, until they had all perished. / Now when all the fighting men among the people had died,

Numbers 26:63-65
These were the ones numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest when they counted the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho. / 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. / For the LORD had told them that they would surely die in the wilderness. Not one was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.

Deuteronomy 1:35-39
“Not one of the men of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your fathers, / except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land on which he has set foot, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly.” / The LORD was also angry with me on your account, and He said, “Not even you shall enter the land. ...

Numbers 14:22-23
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— / not one will ever see the land that I swore to give their fathers. None of those who have treated Me with contempt will see it.

Numbers 32:11-13
‘Because they did not follow Me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years of age or older who came out of Egypt will see the land that I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob— / not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun—because they did follow the LORD wholeheartedly.’ / The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation who had done evil in His sight was gone.

Hebrews 3:16-19
For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? / And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed? ...

1 Corinthians 10:5
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.

Psalm 95:10-11
For forty years I was angry with that generation, and I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known My ways.” / So I swore on oath in My anger, “They shall never enter My rest.”

Deuteronomy 8:2-4
Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. / He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. / Your clothing did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.

Numbers 14:33-34
Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness. / In keeping with the forty days you spied out the land, you shall bear your guilt forty years—a year for each day—and you will experience My alienation.

Deuteronomy 29:5-6
For forty years I led you in the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out. / You ate no bread and drank no wine or strong drink, so that you might know that I am the LORD your God.

Nehemiah 9:21
For forty years You sustained them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.

Acts 7:36-38
He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness. / This is the same Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.’ / He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

All the

Numbers 14:22
Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

Numbers 26:64,65
But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai…

Deuteronomy 2:16
So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people,

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Joshua 5
1. The Canaanites are afraid
2. Joshua renews circumcision
10. The Passover is kept at Gilgal
12. manna ceases
13. An angel appears to Joshua














Now this is why
This phrase introduces an explanation, indicating that the following content is a rationale or reason for a preceding action or event. In the context of Joshua 5, it sets the stage for understanding the necessity of the actions taken by Joshua and the Israelites. The Hebrew word used here, "זֶה" (zeh), often serves to draw attention to a specific point, emphasizing the importance of the explanation that follows.

Joshua circumcised them
The act of circumcision is deeply rooted in the Abrahamic covenant, as described in Genesis 17:10-14. It was a physical sign of the Israelites' covenant with God, symbolizing purity, obedience, and belonging to God's chosen people. The Hebrew root "מוּל" (mul) means to cut or circumcise, and it signifies a renewal of commitment to God. Historically, this act was crucial for the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, reaffirming their identity and dedication to God's commands.

All those who came out of Egypt
This phrase refers to the generation of Israelites who experienced the Exodus, the miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt. It highlights the continuity of God's promises and the fulfillment of His plans across generations. The Hebrew term "יָצָא" (yatsa) means to go out or come forth, emphasizing the transition from bondage to freedom, a foundational narrative for the Israelite identity.

the males
This specification underscores the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where males were often the primary participants in covenantal rituals. The Hebrew word "זָכָר" (zakar) denotes male, and in the context of circumcision, it signifies those who were to bear the physical mark of the covenant, representing the entire community's commitment to God.

all the men of war
This phrase identifies a specific group within the Israelite community, those who were capable of fighting and defending the nation. The Hebrew "אַנְשֵׁי הַמִּלְחָמָה" (anshei hammilchamah) translates to men of war, indicating their role as protectors and warriors. This context is significant as the Israelites were on the brink of entering Canaan, where military readiness was essential for conquering the land promised to them by God.

had died in the wilderness
This statement reflects the consequences of disobedience and lack of faith among the first generation of Israelites who left Egypt. The Hebrew "מֵת" (met) means to die, and it serves as a somber reminder of the judgment that befell those who doubted God's promises. The wilderness period was a time of testing and purification, preparing a new generation to enter the Promised Land with renewed faith and obedience.

(4) The cause why Joshua did circumcise.--As the narrative stands it is not quite obvious why uncircumcision is called "the reproach of Egypt," whereas all the people born in Egypt were circumcised. The uncircumcision attached to those who were born in the wilderness, during the years of wandering. But that period of wandering, between the departure from Kadesh-barnea and the return to Kadesh (thirty-seven and a half years, Numbers 15-19, inclusive), is a kind of blank in the story of the Exodus. The five chapters which belong to it in the Book of Numbers contain no note of progress as to time or place. The people had "turned back in their hearts to Egypt" (Acts 7:39; Numbers 14:4), and were bearing the reproach of their apostasy all those years, "the reproach of Egypt." Suffering under the "breach of promise" of Jehovah (Numbers 14:34), they appear to have omitted the sign of the covenant, as though they were no longer the people of God. The passage of Jordan was the practical proof of Israel's restoration to Divine favour, and they were brought into covenant with Him once more.

Verse 4. - After they came out from Egypt. Rather "on their journey from Egypt." See next verse, where the same words are translated "as they came out."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now this
וְזֶ֥ה (wə·zeh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

is why
הַדָּבָ֖ר (had·dā·ḇār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

Joshua
יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites

circumcised them:
מָ֣ל (māl)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4135: To cut short, curtail, to blunt, to destroy

All
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

those
הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

who came out
הַיֹּצֵא֩ (hay·yō·ṣê)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

of Egypt—
מִמִּצְרַ֨יִם (mim·miṣ·ra·yim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

all
כֹּ֣ל ׀ (kōl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the men
אַנְשֵׁ֣י (’an·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

of war—
הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה (ham·mil·ḥā·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

had died
מֵ֤תוּ (mê·ṯū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

on the journey
בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ (bad·de·reḵ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

in the wilderness
בַמִּדְבָּר֙ (ḇam·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

after they had left
בְּצֵאתָ֖ם (bə·ṣê·ṯām)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

Egypt.
מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃ (mim·miṣ·rā·yim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa


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OT History: Joshua 5:4 This is the reason Joshua circumcised: all (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 5:3
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