📖 Joshua — Chapter 5 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Joshua 5:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the RCanaanites, 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.
Joshua 5:2 At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee Tsharp knives, and Rcircumcise again the children of Israel the second time.
Joshua 5:3 And RJoshua made him Tsharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at Tthe hill of the foreskins.
Joshua 5:4 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.
Joshua 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 Rthey had not circumcised.
Joshua 5:6 For the children of Israel Rwalked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
Joshua 5:7 And Rtheir children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.
Joshua 5:8 And it came to pass, when Tthey had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, Rtill they were whole.
Joshua 5:9 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have RI rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called TGilgal unto this day.
Joshua 5:10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and Rkept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
Joshua 5:11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, Runleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.
Joshua 5:12 And Rthe manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
Joshua 5:13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that Rhe lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
Joshua 5:14 And he said, Nay; Rbut as Tcaptain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant?
Joshua 5:15 And the captain of the LORD’s host said unto Joshua, RLoose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Joshua 5:1–9 — Covenant renewal at Gilgal
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The surrounding kings hear of the Jordan crossing. Joshua carries out the commanded circumcision of the wilderness-born generation, and the place is called Gilgal.
Key Truth: Entry into the land is accompanied by renewed covenant responsibility.
Check What You Remember
1. What did the kings' hearts do after hearing of the crossing? (Joshua 5:1)
Find it in Joshua 5:1 (KJV).
2. Who was told to make sharp knives? (Joshua 5:2)
Find it in Joshua 5:2 (KJV).
3. What name was given to the place where reproach was rolled away? (Joshua 5:9)
Find it in Joshua 5:9 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Joshua 5:10–12 — Passover and the end of manna
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Israel keeps Passover and begins eating the land's produce. Manna ceases as this new provision becomes available.
Key Truth: God's provision continues even when its form changes.
Check What You Remember
1. What feast was kept on the fourteenth day? (Joshua 5:10)
Find it in Joshua 5:10 (KJV).
2. What kind of cakes did Israel eat with the old corn? (Joshua 5:11)
Find it in Joshua 5:11 (KJV).
3. What wilderness food ceased? (Joshua 5:12)
Find it in Joshua 5:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Joshua 5:13–15 — The captain of the LORD's host
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Joshua encounters a figure identifying himself as captain of the LORD's host. Joshua worships and is told to remove his shoe because the place is holy.
Key Truth: Joshua must approach the LORD's appointed presence with reverence.
Check What You Remember
1. What did the man have drawn in his hand? (Joshua 5:13)
Find it in Joshua 5:13 (KJV).
2. What title did the man give himself? (Joshua 5:14)
Find it in Joshua 5:14 (KJV).
3. What was Joshua told to remove from his foot? (Joshua 5:15)
Find it in Joshua 5:15 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Exodus 3:5 — Compare the instruction to remove a shoe on holy ground.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Which truth from this chapter do you want to remember? What question or related Scripture would you like to explore next? You can keep these thoughts in your private Notes below.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Why does the chapter explain the wilderness generation before the circumcision?
2. How do the people respond immediately after circumcision?
3. What sequence links the land’s produce and the end of manna?
4. How does the armed man answer Joshua’s question about allegiance?
5. How does Joshua respond to the instruction about the holy place?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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