Josh. 5 The Amorites and Canaanites hear of this, and are afraid, Josh. 5:1. The males born in the wilderness are circumcised, Josh. 5:2–9. The passover is celebrated, Josh. 5:10. They eat of the corn of the land, and the manna ceaseth, Josh. 5:11–12.

The Amorites and the Canaanites are mentioned for all the rest, as being the chief of them for number, and power, and courage. Westward: this is added to distinguish them from the other Amorites, eastward from Jordan, whom Moses had subdued.

At that time; as soon as ever they were come to Gilgal, which was on the tenth day; and so this might be executed the next, or the eleventh day, and that in the morning: on the thirteenth day they were sore of their wounds, and on the fourteenth day they recovered, and at the even of that day kept…

i.e. He caused this to be done; and because it was to be done speedily, the passover approaching, it was necessary to use many hands in it, either priests and Levites, or other circumcised persons, who, at least in those circumstances, were permitted to do it. The children of Israel, i.e.

This is to be restrained to such as were then above twenty years old, and such as were guilty of that rebellion, Num. 14:0, as it is expressed below, Josh. 5:6.

They; either their parents, or the rulers of Israel, whose omission hereof was not through neglect; for then God, who had ordered the neglecter of circumcision to be cut off, Gen.

All the people; the Hebrew word commonly signifies the Gentiles; so he calls them, to note that they were unworthy of the name and privileges of Israelites. He would not show them, i.e. not give them so much as a sight of it, which he granted to Moses, much less the possession and enjoyment of it.

Them Joshua circumcised; which God would have now done, 1. As a testimony of God’s reconciliation to the people, of which circumcision was a sign, and that God would not further impute their parents’ rebellions to them. 2.

Free from that pain and sore which circumcision caused, Gen. 34:25. It was indeed an act of great faith to expose themselves to so much pain and danger too in this place, where they were hemmed in by Jordan and their enemies; but they had many considerations to support their faith, and suppress…

The reproach of Egypt, i.e. uncircumcision, which was both in truth, and in the opinion of the Jews, a matter of great reproach, Gen. 34:14, 1 Sam. 14:6, 1 Sam. 17:26.

This was their third passover: the first was in Egypt, Ex. 12:0; the second at Mount Sinai, Num. 9:0; the third here; for in their wilderness travels these and all other sacrifices were neglected, Amos 5:25.

The old corn; the corn of the last year, which the inhabitants of those parts had left in their barns, being doubtless fled for fear of the Israelites into their strong cities, or other remoter and safer parts. On the morrow after the passover, i.e.

God now withheld the manna, 1. To show that it was not an ordinary production of nature, as by the long and constant enjoyment of it they might be prone to think; but an extraordinary and special gift of God to supply their necessity. 2.

By Jericho, Heb. in Jericho, i.e. in the country or territory adjoining to Jericho, whither he went to view those parts, and discern the fittest places for his attempt upon Jericho, as generals usually do. A man; one in the appearance of man.

He said, Nay, I am neither Israelite nor Canaanite. Captain of the host of the Lord; either, 1. Of all creatures in heaven and earth, which are God’s hosts. Or, 2. Of the angels, who are called the host of heaven, 1 Kings 22:19, 2 Chron. 18:18, Luke 2:13. Or, 3.

Loose thy shoe from off thy foot, in token of reverence and subjection: see on Ex. 3:5. The place is holy, consecrated by my presence; which when it was withdrawn, it was no more holy than any other place, the reason of its holiness being removed.