Joshua 5

The miraculous entry of the Israelites into the promised land, while it filled with dismay the people of Canaan (1), gave opportunity to the new generation to undergo the rite of circumcision, as a token of their covenant-relation with Jehovah (2-9), and then to celebrate the passover (10), and the feast of unleavened bread (11); the people being now supplied with the produce of the land, in the place of the manna, which is no longer given (12).

1 until we were passed over. According to the text, this narrative must have been written by one who had passed over. But as the Hebrew marginal reading must be rendered “they,” it is not safe to found anything on this passage.

2 sharp knives. Rather, “knives of flint” (R.V.). Such being used in the earliest timer for this purpose (see Exod. iv. 25); a practice which is still retained among some nations.

the second time. i.e., as they used to be circumcised formerly, renewing the observance of a suspended rite. Ver. 7 shows that this was not a repetition of the rite in the case of those who had been already circumcised, but the application of it, as aforetime, to those, under forty years of age, who had not yet received it.

3 at the hill of the foreskins. Or, “at the hill (Gibeah) ha-Araloth” (R.V. marg.); so named from the rite performed there.

9 the reproach of Egypt. The meaning of this phrase is doubtful; but it probably refers to the effacement of the last stain of the “house of bondage.”

10 kept the passover. This celebration of the passover appears to have been the second after the Israelites left Egypt. The first was at Sinai, in the second year of their journey (Numb. ix. 1). In the same year they were rejected by God on account of their rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea; and from that time the celebration of the covenant-festival was of necessity suspended, inasmuch as the covenant itself was broken. Now, however, that the people had been “a second time” received into the covenant of Jehovah by circumcision, the passover could be observed again.

11 the old corn. Or “the produce” (R.V. marg.). After the passover, they were to keep the feast of unleavened bread; which they could not do according to the appointment as long as they had nothing but manna to live upon. They now had the means of obeying the command in Lev. xxiii. 10.

12 the manna ceased. The manna was now unnecessary; as corn began to be available.

13 there stood a man over against him. As God had manifested Himself to Moses before he entered upon his great enterprise, so He now (vi. 2) appears to Joshua, assuming a form and a name which would remind His servant of His own supremacy in the command of Israel, and of His promised guidance and protection in the anticipated conflict.