Bible Glide

Joshua 5

Joshua 5 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Joshua 5 marks a turning point for Israel. The people are renewed at Gilgal, keep Passover, and begin eating the produce of the land. Joshua then meets a mysterious divine commander near Jericho, showing that the coming battle will belong to the LORD.

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What happens in Joshua 5?

The chapter opens with the fear of Israel's enemies after the Jordan crossing. The LORD tells Joshua to circumcise the new generation, restoring the covenant sign that had been neglected in the wilderness. After the people heal, the LORD declares that Egypt's shame has been rolled away, and the place is named Gilgal. Israel keeps Passover on the plains of Jericho, eats the land's produce, and the manna stops. As Joshua nears Jericho, he meets a heavenly commander with a drawn sword. Joshua responds in reverence and is told the ground is holy.

Joshua 5 comes right after the crossing of the Jordan and before the fall of Jericho. It prepares Israel spiritually and nationally for the conquest by renewing covenant identity, marking a new season of provision, and shifting attention from Israel's strength to the LORD's leadership.

Themes to notice

  • Covenant renewalIsrael receives the covenant sign again, showing that entry into the land is tied to obedience and belonging to God.
  • New beginningPassover, the new food from the land, and the end of manna all point to a fresh stage in Israel's story.
  • Holy leadershipJoshua learns that the battle is under the LORD's command, not his own, and that God's presence makes the ground holy.

Questions for Joshua 5

  • Why do you think the LORD required Israel to renew circumcision before taking Jericho?
  • What does the Passover at Gilgal show about God's care and timing for His people?
  • How does Joshua's encounter with the Commander of the LORD's army shape the way we think about God's role in conflict?

Read the full text of Joshua 5 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Joshua 5

The Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal

1Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and their spirits failed for fear of the Israelites.2At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again.”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.6For the Israelites had wandered in the wilderness forty years, until all the nation’s men of war who had come out of Egypt had died, since they did not obey the LORD. So the LORD vowed never to let them see the land He had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.7And Joshua raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones he circumcised. Until this time they were still uncircumcised, since they had not been circumcised along the way.8And after all the nation had been circumcised, they stayed there in the camp until they were healed.

9Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So that place has been called Gilgal to this day.10On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while the Israelites were camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they kept the Passover.11The day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain from the produce of the land.12And the day after they had eaten from the produce of the land, the manna ceased. There was no more manna for the Israelites, so that year they began to eat the crops of the land of Canaan.

The Commander of the LORD’s Army

13Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?”

14“Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?”

15The Commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

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