And their 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 5:7KJV
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Joshua 5:7 (KJV)

What does Joshua 5:7 mean?

Joshua 5:7 explains that Joshua circumcised the children of the Israelites who had been born during the journey in the wilderness, because their parents had not circumcised them along the way. This act was necessary since the new generation had not received this important sign of the covenant before entering the promised land.

The verse describes a moment after the Israelites had wandered in the desert for forty years, and the original adult generation had died. Joshua, now leading the people, ensures that the new generation is set apart according to the covenant God made with Abraham. The focus is on restoring a key ritual that had been neglected during the years of travel.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 5:7

  • children (בָּנִים, banim): This word refers specifically to sons or male descendants, highlighting that it was the next generation of males who were circumcised.
  • circumcised (מָלַל, malal): Used twice in this verse, this word means to cut or circumcise, emphasizing the physical act that marked the Israelites as belonging to God’s covenant.
  • way (דֶּרֶךְ, derekh): This word means “road” or “journey,” pointing out that the lack of circumcision happened during the Israelites’ travels, not out of rebellion but because of their wandering situation.

Why Joshua 5:7 matters

  • Joshua 5:7 clears up that the new generation entering the promised land had not been circumcised, not by choice, but because of the circumstances of their journey.
  • The verse emphasizes Joshua’s role in reestablishing Israel’s identity and faithfulness to God’s covenant before a major new chapter in their history.
  • This detail connects to the broader story by showing the importance of ritual and obedience as the Israelites prepare to settle in the land God promised to their ancestors.

Where else these words appear

“circumcised” Hebrew H4135 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
  • Genesis 34:15 But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;
  • Joshua 5:3 And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

“uncircumcised” Hebrew H6189 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
  • 1 Samuel 17:36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
  • Ezekiel 32:21 The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.