translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: JOS

label: NET study note

text: One might take the disgrace of Egypt as a reference to their uncircumcised condition (see Gen 34:14 ), but the generation that left Egypt was circumcised (see v. 5 ). It more likely refers to the disgrace they experienced in Egyptian slavery. When this new generation reached the promised land and renewed their covenantal commitment to the Lord by submitting to the rite of circumcision, the Lord ’s deliverance of his people from slavery, which had begun with the plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea, reached its climax. See T. C. Butler, Joshua (WBC), 59.


text: The name Gilgal sounds like the Hebrew verb “roll away” ( גַּלַל , galal ).


text: The Lord’s heavenly army, like an earthly army, has a commander who leads the troops. For the phrase שַׂר־צְבָא ( sar-tsÿva ’, “army commander”) in the human sphere, see among many other references Gen 21:22, 32; 26:26 ; Judg 4:2, 7 ; 1 Sam 12:9 .


text: The commander’s appearance seems to be for Joshua’s encouragement. Joshua could now lead Israel into battle knowing that the Lord ’s invisible army would ensure victory.