Joshua 5:2 Meaning and Explanation
“At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The LORD commands Joshua to make flint knives and renew the covenant sign of circumcision among the people.
What Does Joshua 5:2 Mean?
With enemies trembling and conquest seemingly within reach, the LORD calls for an unexpected pause. Before war, He calls for worship; before the sword is raised against Jericho, the people must take up the knife of the covenant.
Circumcision was the ancient mark given to Abraham, the sign that this people belonged to God. Renewing it 'again the second time' restores what had lapsed in the wilderness years. God's priority is not military readiness first but a people set apart and marked as His own.
Joshua 5:2 in the Original Language
mul (מוּל), 'circumcise' -- to cut around, marking the covenant in the body itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 5:2
What does Joshua 5:2 mean?
The LORD commands Joshua to make flint knives and renew the covenant sign of circumcision among the people.