Bible Strands
Joshua 5:9
Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So that place has been called Gilgal to this day.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Yahweh speaks directly to Joshua immediately after the entire nation completes circumcision and heals in camp. The declaration occurs at Gilgal, positioned chronologically between the healing period and the Passover observance.
The words — The text highlights גַּלּ֛וֹתִי (ga.Lo.ti), literally "I have rolled away," and חֶרְפַּ֥ת (cher.Pat), meaning "reproach" or "disgrace." These terms function as the direct object of Yahweh's action, specifying what is removed.
The thread — The motif of divine removal of reproach connects to the Israelites' refusal to marry uncircumcised men to avoid national disgrace (Genesis 34:14) and David's confrontation with a Philistine who defies the living God (1 Samuel 17:26). The location is previously established as the eastern border campsite in Joshua 4:19.
Why it lands — The verse records a direct causal link between covenant obedience and the removal of historical shame. It requires the reader to accept that ritual compliance functions as the necessary condition for communal worship and restored standing.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Joshua 4:19 On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho.
- 1 Samuel 17:26 David asked the men who were standing with him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
- Genesis 34:14 “We cannot do such a thing,” they said. “To give our sister to an uncircumcised man would be a disgrace to us.
- Leviticus 24:14 “Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and have all who heard him lay their hands on his head; then have the whole assembly stone him.
- Joshua 24:14 Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.
- Jeremiah 9:25 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh—
- 1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
- 1 Samuel 17:36 Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”
- Psalms 119:39 Turn away the disgrace I dread, for Your judgments are good.
- Ezekiel 20:7 And I said to them: ‘Each of you must throw away the abominations before his eyes, and you must not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’