Breakdown of Joshua 5:10-12

"While the people of Israel were encamped at Gilgal, they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening on the plains of Jericho. And the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, u…" — This verse isn't just about remembering a past deliverance; it marks the first time Passover is celebrated in the Promised Land. For 40 years, Israel ate the manna, God’s provision in the wildernes…

Joshua 5:10-12 Meaning Explained

All verses

Joshua 5:10-12

While the people of Israel were encamped at Gilgal, they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening on the plains of Jericho. And the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

English Standard Version (ESV)

This verse isn't just about remembering a past deliverance; it marks the first time Passover is celebrated in the Promised Land. For 40 years, Israel ate the manna, God’s provision in the wilderness, but now, standing on the very soil He promised them, they feast on the land's produce, symbolizing a new era of God’s abundant blessing.

What Joshua 5:10-12 means

After crossing the Jordan River and before attacking Jericho, the Israelites set up camp at Gilgal. They immediately resumed the observance of the Passover, a vital act of remembrance and obedience, signifying their renewed covenant with God as they entered the promised land. This celebration also marked the cessation of the manna, signaling their transition to living off the land God had provided.

A Nation Reborn, A Covenant Renewed

Imagine stepping onto new land after a long, hard journey. What's the very first thing you do to celebrate your arrival and remember why you're there? For Israel, it wasn't just a meal; it was a profound statement of who they were.

The people of Israel, after crossing the Jordan River and entering the promised land, encamp at Gilgal. Their immediate action is to celebrate the Passover.

A Momentous Occasion

This wasn't just any Passover; it was the third Passover they had ever observed. The first was in Egypt, just before their miraculous exodus. The second was at Mount Sinai. For forty years in the wilderness, the observance of the Passover had been neglected, perhaps as a sign of God's displeasure with their wandering and lack of faith.

Returning to God's Commands

Now, on the very soil of the promised land, they faithfully resume this vital ordinance. This act signifies a renewal of their covenant with God and a powerful declaration that they are His people, delivered by His hand. It’s a moment of national rebirth, marked by obedience and remembrance.

Gilgal: A Sacred Starting Point

Why Gilgal? This wasn't just a random campsite. The choice of Gilgal as their base and for this significant event carried deep meaning. It marked a transition from the miraculous to the sustained.

The encampment at Gilgal is crucial. It becomes Israel's first permanent base camp in the promised land.

From Miracle to Memorial

Gilgal, meaning 'circle' or 'rolling away,' likely refers to the rolling away of the reproach of Egypt (Joshua 5:9) and perhaps the removal of the stones from the Jordan. It's a place of remembrance and transition.

A Place of Worship and Justice

This location becomes a central hub for the Israelites for centuries. It’s where the Tabernacle was located during the conquest, and later, where Samuel would administer justice. It’s a place where the nation gathered for solemn assemblies and where schools of prophets were established.

Understand the original words

Original language

Passoverפֶּסַח

pesach · Hebrew Noun

The foundational feast of Israel commemorating the LORD's deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt, specifically the night when the destroyer passed over the houses marked by the blood of the lamb.

Passoverפֶּסַח

pesach · Hebrew Noun

A major annual feast commemorating the Lord’s deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt, centering on the sacrifice of a lamb.

mannaמָן

man · Hebrew Noun

The miraculous, bread-like substance provided by God to sustain the Israelites during their forty years of wilderness wandering.

Canaanכְּנַעַן

kena'an · Hebrew Noun

The land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants as an everlasting possession; a type of the spiritual inheritance of believers.

Historical context

Written: Likely composed shortly after the events described, around the late 15th or early 14th century BC.
Author: Traditionally attributed to Joshua, the successor of Moses, though some scholars suggest a later compilation.
Location: Written from the land of Canaan, specifically the area of Gilgal near Jericho.
Genre: Narrative history, characterized by its chronological account of military and religious events.

Historical background

This Passover is a profound moment of re-entry and restoration. After 40 years of wandering and a period of spiritual neglect, the Israelites, now circumcised and settled on the very edge of Jericho, joyfully recall their liberation from Egypt, reaffirming their covenant relationship with God as they begin their conquest.

c. 1400 BC
Israelites Cross the Jordan River
After 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites, led by Joshua, cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land, a momentous event signifying God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.
c. 1400 BC
Circumcision Renewed at Gilgal
The Israelites, who had largely neglected the covenant sign during their wilderness wanderings, are circumcised at Gilgal, symbolizing a renewed commitment to God's covenant as they enter Canaan.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
First Passover in the Promised Land
The people of Israel encamp at Gilgal and celebrate the Passover for the third time in their history, marking their official entry into the land God promised them and their restored fellowship with Him.
c. 1400 BC
Manna Ceases
The day after the Passover celebration, the miraculous manna that had sustained Israel in the wilderness stops falling, as they now begin to eat from the produce of the land of Canaan.

Key themes

01Commemorating divine deliverance
02Renewing covenant faithfulness
03Transition to the promised land
04Obedience amid new challenges

Cross-references

Exodus 12:1-14

This passage details the institution of the Passover in Egypt, establishing the foundational practice that Israel is now resuming in the Promised Land after a long period without it.

Numbers 9:1-14

This section recounts the second Passover observed by the Israelites in the wilderness, highlighting the requirement for both Passover and circumcision, underscoring the significance of these rites for national identity.

Joshua 4:19-24

Immediately preceding this event, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and set up memorial stones. The celebration of Passover here marks a spiritual cleansing and renewed covenant after their physical and spiritual preparation.

Ezekiel 45:18-25

This prophetic passage in Ezekiel describes future observances of the Passover, showing its enduring importance and the desire for its regular observance as a sign of God's presence and covenant faithfulness.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8

Paul directly connects the Passover lamb to Christ, urging believers to live in newness of life, free from the 'old leaven' of sin, reflecting the spiritual transformation signified by Israel's first Passover in Canaan.

Scholarly commentary

Joshua 5:10: "And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho."

10–12. Celebration of the Passover Cessation of the Manna 10 . And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal ] The camp became permanent, and probably in grateful memorial of the many associations connected with the place, the people made it for centuries the great gathering-place of the tribes ( Joshua 9:6 ; Joshua 10:6 ; Joshua 10:43 ). The f…
cambridge

Joshua 5:10: "And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho."

And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal,.... Not after their circumcision, but before, and where they continued encamped during that, and until the passover had been kept by them; this was little more than a mile from Jericho; see Gill on Joshua 4:19 , and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even; exactly as it was ord…
gill

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What does Joshua 5:10-12 mean?

Explain the meaning of Joshua 5:10-12

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What Joshua 5:10-12 means

Original language

Passoverפֶּסַח

pesach · Hebrew Noun

Passoverפֶּסַח

pesach · Hebrew Noun

A major annual feast commemorating the Lord’s deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt, centering on the sacrifice of a lamb.

mannaמָן

man · Hebrew Noun

The miraculous, bread-like substance provided by God to sustain the Israelites during their forty years of wilderness wandering.

Canaanכְּנַעַן

kena'an · Hebrew Noun

The land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants as an everlasting possession; a type of the spiritual inheritance of believers.

Historical context

Written: Likely composed shortly after the events described, around the late 15th or early 14th century BC.
Author: Traditionally attributed to Joshua, the successor of Moses, though some scholars suggest a later compilation.
Location: Written from the land of Canaan, specifically the area of Gilgal near Jericho.
Genre: Narrative history, characterized by its chronological account of military and religious events.

Historical background

c. 1400 BC

Israelites Cross the Jordan River

After 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites, led by Joshua, cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land, a momentous event signifying God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.

c. 1400 BC

Circumcision Renewed at Gilgal

The Israelites, who had largely neglected the covenant sign during their wilderness wanderings, are circumcised at Gilgal, symbolizing a renewed commitment to God's covenant as they enter Canaan.

c. 1400 BC— this verse

First Passover in the Promised Land

The people of Israel encamp at Gilgal and celebrate the Passover for the third time in their history, marking their official entry into the land God promised them and their restored fellowship with Him.

c. 1400 BC

Manna Ceases

The day after the Passover celebration, the miraculous manna that had sustained Israel in the wilderness stops falling, as they now begin to eat from the produce of the land of Canaan.

Scholarly commentary

Joshua 5:10: "And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho."

10–12. Celebration of the Passover Cessation of the Manna 10 . And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal ] The camp became permanent, and probably in grateful memorial of the many associations connected with the place, the people made it for centuries the great gathering-place of the tribes ( Joshua 9:6 ; Joshua 10:6 ; Joshua 10:43 ). The f…
cambridge

Joshua 5:10: "And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho."

And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal,.... Not after their circumcision, but before, and where they continued encamped during that, and until the passover had been kept by them; this was little more than a mile from Jericho; see Gill on Joshua 4:19 , and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even; exactly as it was ord…
gill

Frequently asked questions

What does Joshua 5:10-12 mean?

Explain the meaning of Joshua 5:10-12

What is the context of Joshua 5:10-12?

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "Passover" mean in the original Hebrew?”
“Why did Traditionally attributed to Joshua, the successor of Moses, though some scholars suggest a later compilation. write Joshua 5:10-12?”
“How does commemorating divine deliverance show up in Joshua 5:10-12?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Joshua 5:10-12 is available in the Sola app.