Joshua 5:3 web — Joshua made himself flint knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

World English Bible

"Joshua made himself flint knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins."

— Joshua 5:3, World English Bible

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Joshua 5:3 in Other Translations

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Joshua 5 — Context

1

It happened, when all the kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, who were by the sea, heard how that Yahweh had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we had passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.

2

At that time, Yahweh said to Joshua, "Make flint knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time."

3

Joshua made himself flint knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

4

This is the reason Joshua circumcised: all the people who came out of Egypt, who were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.

5

For all the people who came out were circumcised; but all the people who were born in the wilderness by the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised.

6

For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, even the men of war who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they didn't listen to the voice of Yahweh. Yahweh swore to them that he wouldn't let them see the land which Yahweh swore to their fathers that he would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Joshua 5:3 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Joshua 5:3 say?
Joshua 5:3 in the World English Bible reads: “Joshua made himself flint knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.”
Where is Joshua 5:3 in the Bible?
Joshua 5:3 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Joshua, chapter 5, verse 3.
Who wrote Joshua?
Joshua is traditionally attributed to Joshua (traditional). Traditionally written by Joshua with later additions noting his death and burial. It was written c. 1405–1380 BC.
What is the book of Joshua about?
Joshua is the account of Israel's entry into Canaan under Moses' successor — the crossing of the Jordan, the fall of Jericho, the conquest of the land, and its division among the twelve tribes. It is a record of God's faithfulness to his covenant promise to Abraham.
What are the major themes of Joshua?
Joshua explores themes including Conquest, Faithfulness, Inheritance, Courage, Holy War. These themes shape the meaning and context of Joshua 5:3.
What translation should I read Joshua 5:3 in?
Joshua 5:3 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Joshua 5:3?
Joshua 5:3 reads (WEB): “Joshua made himself flint knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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