5:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings of the a Amorites,
which [were] on the side of Jordan westward, and all the
kings of the Canaanites, which [were] by the sea, heard that
the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the
children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their
heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more,
because of the children of Israel.
(a) The Amorites were on both sides of Jordan, of which two
kings were slain already on the side toward Moab.
5:2 At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp
knives, b and circumcise again the children of Israel the
second time.
(b) For now they had left it off, about 40 years.
5:3 And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the
children of Israel at c the hill of the foreskins.
(c) Gilgal was so called, because they were there
circumcised.
5:5 Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all
the people [that were] born in the wilderness by the way as
they came forth out of Egypt, [them] they had d not
circumcised.
(d) For they looked daily to move at the Lord's command,
which they who were newly circumcised could not do
without great danger.
5:8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the
people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till
they e were whole.
(e) For their sore was so grievous, that they were not able
to move.
5:9 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away
the f reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name
of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.
(f) By bringing you into this promised land, contrary to the
wicked opinion of the Egyptians or the foreskin by which
you were like the Egyptians.
5:14 And he said, Nay; but [as] captain of the host of the LORD
am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth,
and g did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord
unto his servant?
(g) In that Joshua worships him, he acknowledges him to be
God: and in that he calls himself the Lord's captain he
declares himself to be Christ.
