Joshua 5 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

This chapter begins with a notice of how the kings in the land of Canaan feared Yahweh when they heard how he had dried up the Jordan River so the Israelites could cross (5:1).The chapter then describes how the Israelites were careful to observe the law of Moses as soon as they entered the land of Canaan.* The Israelite men were circumcised (5:2–9* All the Israelites celebrated Passover (5:10–12)The chapter then describes how the commander of Yahweh’s army came to help Joshua defeat his enemies (5:13–15)

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Circumcision

This was a sign of the covenant that Yahweh had given to the Israelites through Moses. The book of Joshua explains why the Israelite men who crossed the Jordan River had not yet been circumcised. Fulfilling this sign of the covenant was an important expression of how the Israelites would obey the whole law of Moses when they settled in the land of Canaan. It also affirmed the identity of Israel as a nation. Yahweh said that by having the Israelite men circumcised, he had removed “the disgrace of Egypt.” In Numbers 22:5, King Balak referred to the Israelites simply as “a people went out from Egypt,” in other words, a horde of runaway Egyptian slaves. Now the Israelites were being clearly constituted as a distinct people group with their own laws and customs as commanded by Yahweh. (See: circumcise)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

“a man … standing in front of him”

The author uses the expression “a man” to describe the figure who appears to Joshua in in 5:13, but in the next verse this figure explains that he is “the prince of the army of Yahweh.” So this is actually not a human being but more likely an angel. The author uses the phrase “a man” because that was what Joshua thought he was at first. Since this figure identifies himself in the next verse, you do not need to say anything such as “an angel who looked like a man” in 5:13 in your translation.