And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.

JOSHUA 5:9KJV
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Joshua 5:9 (KJV)

What does Joshua 5:9 mean?

Joshua 5:9 describes how God told Joshua that He had removed the shame or disgrace ("reproach") of Egypt from the Israelites on that day, and that is why the place was called Gilgal. This marks a turning point where the Israelites' past as slaves in Egypt is symbolically left behind as they enter the Promised Land.

In this verse, the LORD (God) is speaking directly to Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, after the people have crossed the Jordan River and undergone circumcision. The "reproach of Egypt" refers to the dishonor or stigma connected to their former slavery and wandering. Naming the place "Gilgal" (which sounds like the Hebrew for "to roll") ties the location to this act of God "rolling away" their disgrace, marking a new beginning for the people.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 5:9

  • "reproach" (חֶרְפָּה, ḥerpah): This word means shame, disgrace, or scorn. Here it points to the lingering sense of humiliation from their time in Egypt, which God now declares removed.
  • "away" (גָּלַל, galal): This word means to roll or roll away. It is a wordplay with the name "Gilgal" (גִּלְגָּל, Gilgal), emphasizing the idea of God rolling away their shame.
  • "Gilgal" (גִּלְגָּל, Gilgal): The name of the place is connected to the verb "to roll," reinforcing the message that God has removed their past disgrace.

Why Joshua 5:9 matters

  • Joshua 5:9 clarifies that the Israelites' identity is no longer tied to their past slavery in Egypt; God Himself declares their shame removed.
  • The verse connects the physical act of circumcision and entering the land with a spiritual renewal, showing that God is giving His people a fresh start.
  • The naming of Gilgal serves as a permanent reminder to future generations of this turning point, linking the geography of the land to God's actions in their history.

Where else these words appear

“away” Hebrew H1556 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 29:3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.
  • 1 Samuel 14:33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.
  • Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

“Gilgal” Hebrew H1537 · used in 39 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:30 Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?
  • Joshua 15:7 And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:
  • 1 Samuel 15:21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

“reproach” Hebrew H2781 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 30:23 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
  • Psalms 74:22 Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.
  • Jeremiah 42:18 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.