1
וַיְהִ֣י כִשְׁמֹ֣עַ כָּל מַלְכֵ֣י הָאֱמֹרִ֡י אֲשֶׁר֩ בְּעֵ֨בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֜ן יָ֗מָּה וְכָל מַלְכֵ֤י הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל הַיָּ֔ם אֵ֠ת אֲשֶׁר הוֹבִ֨ישׁ יְהוָ֜ה אֶת מֵ֧י הַיַּרְדֵּ֛ן מִפְּנֵ֥י בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עַד עברנו עָבְרָ֑ם וַיִּמַּ֣ס לְבָבָ֗ם וְלֹא הָ֨יָה בָ֥ם עוֹד֙ ר֔וּחַ מִפְּנֵ֖י בְּנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
Now 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 YHWH had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed over, their heart melted, and there was no longer spirit in them, because of the sons of Israel.
The chapter opens with the standard וַיְהִי formula, subordinating a lengthy compound temporal clause (the kings' hearing) before the main verbs of reaction (מָסַס, הָיָה). The report of the Jordan's drying — the climax of chs. 3-4 — now radiates outward as a psychological weapon: the nations' will collapses before Israel ever draws a sword, fulfilling the promise of 2:9-11 and 4:24. The embedded Kethiv/Qere (עברנו/עָבְרָם) is a fossil of first-person testimony inside third-person narration.
Word-by-word analysis· 38 words
וַיְהִ֣יand it happenedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main-line narrative opening)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, opening the pericopeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; the narrative formula וַיְהִי introducing a temporal clause, 'and it came to pass.'
כִשְׁמֹ֣עַwhen they heardprep כְּ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַע (H8085)Temporal infinitival clause (protasis of וַיְהִי)→ Infinitive construct: temporal, 'as soon as/when they heard'שָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; with כְּ + infinitive construct forms a temporal clause dependent on וַיְהִי, 'when X heard.'
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing מַלְכֵי (head of first subject phrase)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, whole'; construct with מַלְכֵי, 'all the kings of.'
מַלְכֵ֣יkings ofN m pl constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Subject of כִשְׁמֹעַ (construct chain, genitival)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; plural construct, first of two parallel subject groups (Amorite kings // Canaanite kings) who hear the report.
הָאֱמֹרִ֡יthe Amoriteart + N gentilic m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Genitive modifier (gentilic) closing the construct chainאֱמֹרִי (H567) gentilic 'Amorite'; one of the peoples of Canaan, here specifically those whose kings held territory east/west of the Jordan.
אֲשֶׁר֩whorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the locational clause modifying מַלְכֵי הָאֱמֹרִיאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle 'who, which, that'; opens the clause 'who were beyond the Jordan, westward.'
בְּעֵ֨בֶרin the region acrossprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עֵבֶר (H5676)Locative prepositional phrase, predicate of the relative clauseעֵבֶר (H5676) 'region across, side'; construct with הַיַּרְדֵּן, 'the region across the Jordan' — clarified as the western side by יָמָּה following.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֜ןthe Jordanart + N proper · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Genitive, object of construct עֵבֶריַרְדֵּן (H3383) 'Jordan', from יָרַד 'to descend'; the river Israel has just crossed (chs. 3-4).
יָ֗מָּהwestwardN m sg abs + directional ה · יָם (H3220)Adverbial accusative of direction, clarifying עֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּןיָם (H3220) 'sea'; with the directional-ה suffix, 'toward the sea, westward' — fixes עֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן as the western (Cisjordan) side, the narrator's own side.
וְכָלand all ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinated construct, head of the second subject phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; וְ joins the second parallel subject, the Canaanite kings of the coast.
מַלְכֵ֤יkings ofN m pl constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Second subject, construct chainמֶלֶךְ (H4428); second of the two parallel subject groups.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙the Canaaniteart + N gentilic m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Genitive modifier (gentilic)כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669) gentilic 'Canaanite'; the lowland/coastal peoples, paired here with the Amorites as a merism for the whole population of the land.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the locational clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); 'who were by the sea' — locates the Canaanite kings along the Mediterranean coast.
עַלby, uponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, by, beside'; locates the Canaanite kings along the sea.
הַיָּ֔םthe seaart + N m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Object of preposition עַליָם (H3220) 'sea'; the Mediterranean, the western coastland where the Canaanite kings held territory.
אֵ֠ת[that]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing the object clause of כִשְׁמֹעַאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; here marks the entire following אֲשֶׁר-clause as the object heard — untranslated, 'heard [that] YHWH had dried up...'
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative/complementizer particle introducing the object clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); functions here as a complementizer, 'that YHWH had dried up the waters of the Jordan.'
הוֹבִ֨ישׁhe had dried upHiphil perf 3ms · יָבֵשׁ (H3001)Predicate verb of the object clause→ Perfective, antecedent to the main narrative — a completed prior act (pluperfect sense): YHWH's drying of the Jordan, now reported as newsיָבֵשׁ (H3001) Qal 'be dry', Hiphil 'cause to dry up'; recalls the crossing miracle of chs. 3-4, here the report that terrifies the kings.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הוֹבִישׁיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the drying-up miracle, underscoring the divine agency that terrifies the kings.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853); marks מֵי הַיַּרְדֵּן as the definite object of הוֹבִישׁ.
מֵ֧יwaters ofN m pl constr · מַיִם (H4325)Direct object, head of construct chainמַיִם (H4325) 'water(s)'; construct plural, 'the waters of the Jordan.'
הַיַּרְדֵּ֛ןthe Jordanart + N proper · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Genitive, closing the construct chainיַרְדֵּן (H3383); the river whose waters were dried up before the ark (chs. 3-4).
מִפְּנֵ֥יbefore, because ofprep מִן + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Causal/locational prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom מִפְּנֵי 'from before, because of' — the waters dried up before Israel's advance.
בְנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive, construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, 'sons of Israel' = the Israelites.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, closing the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the covenant people, named for the patriarch Jacob.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase governing the infinitive of crossingעַד (H5704) 'until, up to'; introduces the temporal limit, 'until they had crossed.'
עברנוwe crossed (Kethiv)Qal inf constr + 1cp sfx, Kethiv · עָבַר (H5674)Kethiv reading, object of עַד — a first-person fossil inside third-person narration→ Infinitive construct with pronominal suffix: 'until our crossing' — a startling first-person intrusion into the narrator's third-person voiceעָבַר (H5674) 'to cross over'; the Kethiv עברנו preserves a 1cp suffix, 'our crossing' — widely read as a fossil of an eyewitness participant's 'we' left unharmonized in the final text; the Qere corrects it to third person.
עָבְרָ֑םtheir crossing (Qere)Qal inf constr + 3mp sfx, Qere · עָבַר (H5674)Qere reading, object of עַד, matching the surrounding third-person narration→ Infinitive construct with pronominal suffix: 'until their crossing' — the normalized third-person form read aloud in place of the Kethivעָבַר (H5674); the marginal Qere עָבְרָם ('their crossing') is read in place of the written עברנו, smoothing the grammatical person — the Masoretes preserve both witnesses, written and read.
וַיִּמַּ֣סand it meltedNiphal wayyiqtol 3ms · מָסַס (H4549)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence — result clause→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the emotional collapse that follows the reportמָסַס (H4549) 'to melt, dissolve'; Niphal 'be melted, lose courage' — the stock idiom for panic-stricken collapse of resolve (cf. the same fear already gripping Jericho in 2:11).
לְבָבָ֗םtheir heartN m sg constr + 3mp sfx · לֵבָב (H3824)Subject of וַיִּמַּסלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; seat of courage and resolve — its melting signals the total collapse of will to resist.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction with negated predicateלֹא (H3808) negative particle; negates הָיָה, 'and there was no longer.'
הָ֨יָהthere wasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential clause)→ Perfective: a settled state — the aftermath of the melted heartהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; existential use, 'there was no longer spirit in them.'
בָ֥םin themprep בְּ + 3mp sfx · בְּLocative prepositional phrase, adjunct of הָיָהבְּ preposition 'in, with'; with 3mp suffix, 'in them,' referring to the melted-hearted kings.
עוֹד֙still, any longeradverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverbial modifier of הָיָה, negatedעוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet, again'; negated with לֹא, 'no longer' — total exhaustion of will.
ר֔וּחַspiritN c sg abs · רוּחַ (H7307)Subject of הָיָהרוּחַ (H7307) 'spirit, breath, wind'; the vital courage/fighting spirit that has utterly departed — echoing exactly the fear of Jericho's inhabitants in 2:11.
מִפְּנֵ֖יbecause ofprep מִן + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Causal prepositional phrase (echoes v. 1a)פָּנִים (H6440); repeats the idiom מִפְּנֵי from earlier in the verse, forming an inclusio — the nations' terror is framed on both sides by 'because of the sons of Israel.'
בְּנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive, construct chainבֵּן (H1121); 'sons of Israel', closing the verse's inclusio with its earlier occurrence.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, closing the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); closes the verse — the whole nation's collapse is framed entirely around Israel's presence in the land.
2
בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֗יא אָמַ֤ר יְהוָה֙ אֶל יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ עֲשֵׂ֥ה לְךָ֖ חַֽרְב֣וֹת צֻרִ֑ים וְשׁ֛וּב מֹ֥ל אֶת בְּנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל שֵׁנִֽית
At that time YHWH said to Joshua, 'Make for yourself flint knives, and again circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.'
The fronted phrase בָּעֵת הַהִיא ('at that time') pivots from the nations' terror (v. 1) to Israel's own covenant obligation, opening a new command cycle. The threefold reinforcement שׁוּב...מֹל...שֵׁנִית ('again...circumcise...a second time') already signals, before any explanation is given, that this is a renewal rather than an initial rite — the puzzle vv. 4-7 will resolve.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
בָּעֵ֣תat that timeprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Temporal prepositional phrase (fronted setting)עֵת (H6256) 'time, season'; 'at that time' — the temporal link between the crossing/melting-heart report of v.1 and YHWH's circumcision command.
הַהִ֗יאthatart + demonstrative pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Demonstrative adjective modifying עֵתהוּא/הִיא (H1931) distal demonstrative; here attributive, 'that time,' referring back to the moment just described in v. 1.
אָמַ֤רsaidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a discrete, decisive speech-act introducing direct divine commandאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces YHWH's command.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of אָמַריְהוָה (H3068); the divine commander, initiating the circumcision at Gilgal.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Joshua as the addressee.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַJoshuaN proper · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Object of preposition (addressee)יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'YHWH is salvation'; recipient of the divine command.
עֲשֵׂ֥הmakeQal impv 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb, imperative (direct command)→ Volitional: imperative commandעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; imperative opening YHWH's directive, 'make for yourself flint knives.'
לְךָ֖for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms sfx · לְDative of interest/benefactiveלְ preposition with 2ms suffix; ethical/benefactive dative, 'for yourself' — Joshua personally commissioned to prepare and apply the knives.
חַֽרְב֣וֹתknives ofN f pl constr · חֶרֶב (H2719)Direct object, construct chainחֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword, knife'; construct plural, here 'knives' rather than swords — the same word covers both blade types; construct with צֻרִים specifies the material.
צֻרִ֑יםof flintN m pl abs · צוּר (H6697)Genitive of material (construct chain)צוּר (H6697) 'rock, flint'; plural as material genitive, 'flint knives' — an archaizing implement (cf. Exod 4:25), marking this circumcision as a deliberately ancient, ritual act rather than routine surgery.
וְשׁ֛וּבand againconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Coordinated imperative, adverbial (repetition) modifying מֹל→ Volitional: imperative — paired with מֹל as a hendiadys, 'again circumcise' / 'circumcise once more'שׁוּב (H7725) 'to return, do again'; paired with a second imperative it functions adverbially, 'again, a second time' — reinforced further by שֵׁנִית at the verse's end.
מֹ֥לcircumciseQal impv 2ms · מוּל (H4135)Predicate verb, imperative (paired with וְשׁוּב)→ Volitional: imperative command, the central act of the pericopeמוּל (H4135) 'to circumcise'; the key verb of vv. 2-9, restoring the covenant sign to the new generation before Passover (cf. Exod 12:48).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל as the object of מֹל.
בְּנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object, construct chainבֵּן (H1121); 'sons of Israel' as direct object — the whole new generation to be circumcised.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, closing construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the nation now to receive the covenant sign.
שֵׁנִֽיתa second timeadj f sg abs, used adverbially · שֵׁנִי (H8145)Adverbial accusative, reinforcing וְשׁוּבשֵׁנִי (H8145) 'second'; feminine form used adverbially, 'a second time' — together with שׁוּב...מֹל triple-underscoring that this is a renewed circumcision, not the nation's first (see v. 5's explanation).
3
וַיַּעַשׂ ל֥וֹ יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ חַֽרְב֣וֹת צֻרִ֑ים וַיָּ֨מָל֙ אֶת בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶל גִּבְעַ֖ת הָעֲרָלֽוֹת
So Joshua made for himself flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth (the Hill of the Foreskins).
The wayyiqtol chain reports immediate, exact compliance with v. 2's double imperative, down to repeating its vocabulary (חַרְבוֹת צֻרִים). The verse closes with an etiological place-name, גִּבְעַת הָעֲרָלוֹת, that both names the site and previews the mass scale of the operation before the narrator pauses to explain why it was needed.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיַּעַשׂand he madeQal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (compliance with command)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — immediate obedience to v. 2עָשָׂה (H6213); Joshua's compliance, echoing the imperative עֲשֵׂה of v. 2.
ל֥וֹfor himselfprep לְ + 3ms sfx · לְDative of interest/benefactiveלְ preposition with 3ms suffix; 'for himself,' matching לְךָ of the command in v. 2.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַJoshuaN proper · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיַּעַשׂיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); the obedient executor of YHWH's command.
חַֽרְב֣וֹתknives ofN f pl constr · חֶרֶב (H2719)Direct object, construct chainחֶרֶב (H2719); repeats v. 2's phrase exactly, confirming precise obedience.
צֻרִ֑יםof flintN m pl abs · צוּר (H6697)Genitive of materialצוּר (H6697); 'flint,' as commanded.
וַיָּ֨מָל֙and he circumcisedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּל (H4135)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence — the act itself→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the central act of the pericope carried outמוּל (H4135); Joshua personally performs (or directs) the circumcision, executing the double command of v. 2.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל as object of וַיָּמָל.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object, construct chainבֵּן (H1121); 'sons of Israel,' the generation circumcised (specified further in vv. 4-7).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, closing construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
אֶלatprep · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, at'; introduces the place-name where the rite occurred.
גִּבְעַ֖תthe hill ofN f sg constr · גִּבְעָה (H1389)Object of preposition אֶל, construct chain (place-name)גִּבְעָה (H1389) 'hill'; construct forming a place-name with הָעֲרָלוֹת, 'the Hill of the Foreskins' — an etiological site-name.
הָעֲרָלֽוֹתthe foreskinsart + N f pl abs · עָרְלָה (H6190)Genitive, closing the place-name construct chainעָרְלָה (H6190) 'foreskin'; plural with article, completing the toponym גִּבְעַת הָעֲרָלוֹת 'Gibeath-haaraloth,' commemorating the mass circumcision performed there.
4
וְזֶ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁר מָ֣ל יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ כָּל הָעָ֣ם הַיֹּצֵא֩ מִמִּצְרַ֨יִם הַזְּכָרִ֜ים כֹּ֣ל אַנְשֵׁ֣י הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה מֵ֤תוּ בַמִּדְבָּר֙ בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ בְּצֵאתָ֖ם מִמִּצְרָֽיִם
Now this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way, after they had come out of Egypt.
The narrator halts the storyline to explain the puzzling repetition of vv. 2-3 (why circumcise 'again' and 'a second time'?). A casus-pendens construction (וְזֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר) opens an explanatory aside that will run through v. 7: the exodus generation, having died in the wilderness under YHWH's oath (Num 14), left an uncircumcised generation born on the journey.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְזֶ֥הand thisconj וְ + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of nominal clause, casus pendensזֶה (H2088) 'this'; demonstrative subject introducing the explanatory clause that follows, 'and this is the matter/reason.'
הַדָּבָ֖רthe matter, reasonart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Predicate nominative of nominal clauseדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, thing'; here 'the reason' — introduces the narrator's explanatory digression on why the circumcision was needed.
אֲשֶׁרfor whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the explanatory relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); 'for which Joshua circumcised' — introduces the content of הַדָּבָר.
מָ֣לcircumcisedQal perf 3ms · מוּל (H4135)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: summarizing, resumptive of the act just narrated in v. 3מוּל (H4135); resumes/summarizes the act of v. 3 as the narrator turns to explain its rationale.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַJoshuaN proper · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of מָליְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091).
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object, construct chainכֹּל (H3605); 'all the people,' introducing the description of who exactly was circumcised.
הָעָ֣םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive, construct chain; antecedent of הַיֹּצֵאעַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; the collective referred to throughout the explanation.
הַיֹּצֵא֩who came outart + Qal ptc m sg abs · יָצָא (H3318)Substantival/attributive participle modifying הָעָם→ Participle: durative, characterizing description of the exodus generationיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; substantival participle, 'the people who came out (of Egypt)' — designates the exodus generation, distinguished from those born later (vv. 4b-5).
מִמִּצְרַ֨יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Source prepositional phrase, complement of הַיֹּצֵאמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the point of departure of the exodus generation now specified as circumcised.
הַזְּכָרִ֜יםthe malesart + N m pl abs · זָכָר (H2145)Apposition to הָעָם הַיֹּצֵא (specifying gender)זָכָר (H2145) 'male'; specifies that circumcision necessarily concerns the male exodus generation.
כֹּ֣לall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Apposition, further specifying הַזְּכָרִיםכֹּל (H3605); 'all the men of war,' narrowing further to the military-age males.
אַנְשֵׁ֣יmen ofN m pl constr · אִישׁ (H376)Construct chain, appositionאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; construct with הַמִּלְחָמָה, 'men of war' = fighting men.
הַמִּלְחָמָ֗הthe warart + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Genitive, closing construct chainמִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle'; 'men of war,' i.e. all who were of fighting age at the exodus.
מֵ֤תוּhad diedQal perf 3cp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb, main clause of the explanation→ Perfective, pluperfect sense: a completed prior state — the whole war-generation was already deadמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; states the fate of the exodus generation per Num 14:22-23, 29-35 — none of that generation reached the land.
בַמִּדְבָּר֙in the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, desert'; the forty-year deathbed of the exodus generation (Num 14:33-34).
בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְon the wayprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Locative prepositional phrase, parallel to בַמִּדְבָּרדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; parallel to בַּמִּדְבָּר, 'on the journey' — the whole wilderness trek.
בְּצֵאתָ֖םwhen they came outprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 3mp sfx · יָצָא (H3318)Temporal infinitival clause modifying the whole statement→ Infinitive construct: temporal, marking the starting point of the forty years, 'when/since they came out'יָצָא (H3318); temporal infinitive, 'in their coming out' — dates the generation precisely to those who departed Egypt as adults.
מִמִּצְרָֽיִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Source prepositional phrase, complement of בְּצֵאתָםמִצְרַיִם (H4714); repeats 'Egypt,' closing the verse with an inclusio back to its earlier mention.
5
כִּֽי מֻלִ֣ים הָי֔וּ כָּל הָעָ֖ם הַיֹּֽצְאִ֑ים וְכָל הָ֠עָם הַיִּלֹּדִ֨ים בַּמִּדְבָּ֥ר בַּדֶּ֛רֶךְ בְּצֵאתָ֥ם מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם לֹא מָֽלוּ
For all the people who came out were circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness on the way after they had come out of Egypt had not been circumcised.
A balanced antithesis (מֻלִים הָיוּ // לֹא מָלוּ) divides the wilderness generation into two groups: the (now-dead) exodus adults, who had borne the covenant sign, and the wilderness-born who had not. The verse itself withholds the reason for the omission, heightening suspense before v. 6 supplies it.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal/explanatory conjunction, subordinate to v. 4כִּי (H3588) 'for, because, that'; continues the explanation begun in v. 4, specifying the circumcision status of the two groups within the wilderness generation.
מֻלִ֣יםcircumcisedQal passive ptc m pl abs · מוּל (H4135)Predicate adjective (participle) of nominal clause→ Passive participle: stative, describing an accomplished condition — 'circumcised' as a stateמוּל (H4135); passive participle used predicatively, 'were circumcised' — describing the exodus generation's status before their deaths.
הָי֔וּwereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Copular verb completing the predicate מֻלִים הָיוּ→ Perfective: a settled prior state — 'had been circumcised'הָיָה (H1961); copula with participle, 'had been circumcised' — a stative periphrastic construction.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject, construct chainכֹּל (H3605); subject of מֻלִים הָיוּ, 'all the people who came out.'
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive, construct chainעַם (H5971); 'the people,' resuming the exodus generation of v. 4.
הַיֹּֽצְאִ֑יםwho came outart + Qal ptc m pl abs · יָצָא (H3318)Substantival/attributive participle modifying הָעָם→ Participle: durative, characterizing — designates the exodus generation, now pluralיָצָא (H3318); participle (plural, matching the collective people), 'those who came out' — the war generation of v. 4, all circumcised.
וְכָלbut all ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinated construct, contrastive subject of second clauseכֹּל (H3605); introduces the contrasting group, 'but all the people born...'
הָ֠עָםthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive, construct chainעַם (H5971); the contrasting group — those born en route.
הַיִּלֹּדִ֨יםbornart + verbal adj m pl abs · יִלּוֹד (H3209)Substantival/attributive adjective modifying הָעָם (contrastive with הַיֹּצְאִים)יִלּוֹד (H3209) verbal adjective from יָלַד 'to bear'; 'the born-ones' — those born during the wilderness years, as opposed to those who had come out of Egypt.
בַּמִּדְבָּ֥רin the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phrase modifying הַיִּלֹּדִיםמִדְבָּר (H4057); locates the birth of this generation during the wandering.
בַּדֶּ֛רֶךְon the wayprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Locative prepositional phrase, parallel to בַּמִּדְבָּרדֶּרֶךְ (H1870); parallel expression, 'on the journey.'
בְּצֵאתָ֥םafter they came outprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 3mp sfx · יָצָא (H3318)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive construct: temporal, marking the point of departure from which this generation's birth is datedיָצָא (H3318); temporal infinitive, 'since/after their coming out of Egypt' — dates when this second group was born, en route rather than in Egypt.
מִמִּצְרַ֖יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Source prepositional phrase, complement of בְּצֵאתָםמִצְרַיִם (H4714).
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the final predicate מָלוּלֹא (H3808); negates the concluding verb, 'they had not been circumcised.'
מָֽלוּhad been circumcisedQal perf 3cp · מוּל (H4135)Predicate verb, main clause conclusion→ Perfective, pluperfect sense: a completed prior omission — the state of the wilderness-born generation up to this chapterמוּל (H4135); negated perfect, 'they had not been circumcised' — states directly the deficiency that vv. 2-3 remedy.
6
כִּ֣י אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֗ה הָלְכ֣וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ בַּמִּדְבָּר֒ עַד תֹּ֨ם כָּל הַגּ֜וֹי אַנְשֵׁ֤י הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ הַיֹּצְאִ֣ים מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא שָׁמְע֖וּ בְּק֣וֹל יְהוָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִשְׁבַּ֤ע יְהוָה֙ לָהֶ֔ם לְבִלְתִּ֞י הַרְאוֹתָ֣ם אֶת הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֩ נִשְׁבַּ֨ע יְהוָ֤ה לַֽאֲבוֹתָם֙ לָ֣תֶת לָ֔נוּ אֶ֛רֶץ זָבַ֥ת חָלָ֖ב וּדְבָֽשׁ
For forty years the sons of Israel walked in the wilderness, until all the nation, the men of war who came out of Egypt, had perished, because they did not obey the voice of YHWH — to whom YHWH swore that he would not show them the land which YHWH had sworn to their fathers to give to us, a land flowing with milk and honey.
The verse pivots on two parallel oath-clauses (אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע יְהוָה): the first negative, excluding the disobedient exodus generation from ever seeing the land; the second positive, the ancestral promise now devolving on their sons. The first-person לָנוּ ('to us') briefly breaks the third-person narration, momentarily identifying the narrator's own generation with the promise's heirs — a companion phenomenon to the Kethiv עברנו of v. 1.
Word-by-word analysis· 38 words
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction opening the elaboration of the forty yearsכִּי (H3588); introduces the temporal/causal elaboration — the forty years explaining v. 5's uncircumcised generation.
אַרְבָּעִ֣יםfortyN c pl abs (cardinal numeral) · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Numeral, construct with שָׁנָה (adverbial accusative of duration)אַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; the wilderness period decreed in Num 14:33-34.
שָׁנָ֗הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Adverbial accusative of durationשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; with אַרְבָּעִים, 'forty years' — the duration of the wandering.
הָלְכ֣וּwalkedQal perf 3cp · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a completed extended period of action — the whole wandering summarizedהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk, go'; summarizes the entire forty-year trek in a single verb.
בְנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject, construct chainבֵּן (H1121); 'sons of Israel,' subject of הָלְכוּ.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮IsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, closing construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
בַּמִּדְבָּר֒in the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057); the setting of the forty years.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase governing תֹּםעַד (H5704) 'until'; introduces the temporal limit of the wandering.
תֹּ֨םthe perishing ofQal inf constr · תָּמַם (H8552)Object of preposition עַד, verbal noun governing כָּל הַגּוֹי→ Infinitive construct: marks a terminal point, 'until the finishing off of'תָּמַם (H8552) 'to be complete, finished, come to an end'; infinitive construct as verbal noun, 'until the perishing of' the entire war-generation — a euphemistic-legal way of stating their extinction.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Object of תֹּם, construct chainכֹּל (H3605); 'all the nation,' object of the infinitive תֹּם.
הַגּ֜וֹיthe nationart + N m sg abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitive, construct chainגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; here referring to the specific cohort about to be defined (the fighting men who left Egypt).
אַנְשֵׁ֤יmen ofN m pl constr · אִישׁ (H376)Apposition to הַגּוֹי, construct chainאִישׁ (H376); construct with הַמִּלְחָמָה, 'men of war,' in apposition specifying which 'nation' perished.
הַמִּלְחָמָה֙the warart + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Genitive, closing construct chainמִלְחָמָה (H4421); 'men of war,' repeating the identification of v. 4.
הַיֹּצְאִ֣יםwho came outart + Qal ptc m pl abs · יָצָא (H3318)Substantival/attributive participle, apposition→ Participle: durative, characterizing — identifies the group by their exodus originיָצָא (H3318); participle, 'who came out of Egypt' — the fighting-age exodus generation, now specified as having 'finished' (died) during the forty years.
מִמִּצְרַ֔יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Source prepositional phrase, complement of הַיֹּצְאִיםמִצְרַיִם (H4714).
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause explaining the judgmentאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the reason for their forty-year fate: disobedience.
לֹֽאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates שָׁמְעוּלֹא (H3808); negates the following verb, 'did not obey.'
שָׁמְע֖וּobeyedQal perf 3cp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed pattern of disobedience over the wilderness yearsשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; with בְּקוֹל, idiomatic 'to obey the voice of' — their persistent disobedience is the stated cause of the oath of exclusion (Num 14:22-23).
בְּק֣וֹלthe voice ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Object of שָׁמְעוּ, idiom 'obey the voice of'קוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; the idiom שָׁמַע בְּקוֹל 'obey' — standard covenant-obedience language.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive, closing construct chainיְהוָה (H3068); whose voice/command the generation refused.
אֲשֶׁ֨רto whomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun, resumes with reference to YHWH's oathאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the content of the oath: YHWH swore not to show them the land.
נִשְׁבַּ֤עsworeNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a decisive, binding oath, sealed once in the past (Num 14:21-23)שָׁבַע (H7650) Niphal (reflexive, 'swear an oath'); the divine oath excluding the disobedient generation from the land.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נִשְׁבַּעיְהוָה (H3068); the oath-swearing subject.
לָהֶ֔םto/against themprep לְ + 3mp sfx · לְIndirect object of נִשְׁבַּעלְ preposition with 3mp suffix; the oath is directed against/concerning them.
לְבִלְתִּ֞יso as notprep לְ + neg particle · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Negative purpose/result particle governing the infinitive הַרְאוֹתָםבִּלְתִּי (H1115) negative particle used with an infinitive, 'so as not to, that...not'; introduces the content of the oath's prohibition.
הַרְאוֹתָ֣םto show themHiphil inf constr + 3mp sfx · רָאָה (H7200)Infinitive construct, complement of לְבִלְתִּי (object of the oath)→ Infinitive construct: the content of the negated oath, 'that he would not let them see/show them'רָאָה (H7200) Qal 'to see', Hiphil 'cause to see, show'; the oath's content, 'he would not show them the land' — i.e., they would not enter it.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks הָאָרֶץ as object of הַרְאוֹתָם.
הָאָ֗רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of הַרְאוֹתָםאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the promised land, withheld from the disobedient generation.
אֲשֶׁר֩whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a second oath-clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces a resumed, parallel oath-clause describing the same land, now positively — sworn to the fathers.
נִשְׁבַּ֨עsworeNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb of the second relative clause→ Perfective: a second, positive oath — the ancestral promise, contrasted with the first oath of exclusionשָׁבַע (H7650); the same oath-verb, now describing the positive promise made to the patriarchs, in ironic counterpoint to the negative oath just stated.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נִשְׁבַּעיְהוָה (H3068).
לַֽאֲבוֹתָם֙to their fathersprep לְ + N m pl constr + 3mp sfx · אָב (H1)Indirect object of נִשְׁבַּעאָב (H1) 'father'; the patriarchs to whom the land was originally promised (Gen 15, 17) — the new generation inherits their oath, not the exodus generation's exclusion.
לָ֣תֶתto giveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Infinitival purpose clause, content of the oath to the fathers→ Infinitive construct: purpose/content of the oath, 'to give'נָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; infinitive construct expressing the content of the ancestral promise.
לָ֔נוּto usprep לְ + 1cp sfx · לְIndirect object of לָתֶתלְ preposition with 1cp suffix; 'to us' — a striking first-person shift, the narrator momentarily speaking as one of the promise's recipients (cf. the Kethiv עברנו of v. 1).
אֶ֛רֶץa landN c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of לָתֶתאֶרֶץ (H776); the object given, further described by the following participial clause.
זָבַ֥תflowing withQal ptc f sg constr · זוּב (H2100)Attributive participle modifying אֶרֶץ, construct→ Participle: durative, characterizing description — the land's constant, ongoing abundanceזוּב (H2100) 'to flow, gush'; participle construct, the stock formula 'flowing with milk and honey' describing the land's fertility (cf. Exod 3:8).
חָלָ֖בmilkN m sg abs · חָלָב (H2461)Genitive, object of construct זָבַתחָלָב (H2461) 'milk'; first element of the formulaic pair for pastoral abundance.
וּדְבָֽשׁand honeyconj וְ + N m sg abs · דְּבַשׁ (H1706)Genitive, coordinated with חָלָבדְּבַשׁ (H1706) 'honey'; completes the classic formula 'milk and honey,' the promised land's proverbial fertility, now finally within reach.
7
וְאֶת בְּנֵיהֶם֙ הֵקִ֣ים תַּחְתָּ֔ם אֹתָ֖ם מָ֣ל יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ כִּי עֲרֵלִ֣ים הָי֔וּ כִּ֛י לֹא מָ֥לוּ אוֹתָ֖ם בַּדָּֽרֶךְ
But their sons he raised up in their place; these Joshua circumcised, because they were uncircumcised, for they had not circumcised them on the way.
The fronted, emphatic וְאֶת בְּנֵיהֶם ('but their sons...') resumes the main storyline after the parenthetical explanation of vv. 4-6, restating v. 3's act (מָל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ) now that the reader understands exactly who was circumcised and why. The double כִּי clauses hammer the point home before the narrative moves on.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker, fronted for emphasis (casus pendens object)אֵת (H853) with וְ; the object בְּנֵיהֶם is fronted before its verb הֵקִים for emphasis — 'and their sons, he raised up in their place.'
בְּנֵיהֶם֙their sonsN m pl constr + 3mp sfx · בֵּן (H1121)Fronted direct object of הֵקִיםבֵּן (H1121); 'their sons' — the wilderness-born generation, now named as heirs raised up in place of their fathers.
הֵקִ֣יםhe raised upHiphil perf 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — providence raising up a new generation, echoing covenant-succession languageקוּם (H6965) Qal 'to rise', Hiphil 'raise up, establish'; states the succession of generations — the sons stood up in their fathers' stead.
תַּחְתָּ֔םin their placeprep תַּחַת + 3mp sfx · תַּחַת (H8478)Locative/substitutionary prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, in place of'; marks generational succession — the sons stand where the fathers once stood.
אֹתָ֖םthemobj marker + 3mp sfx · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with resumptive pronoun, object of מָלאֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix, resuming בְּנֵיהֶם as the object of מָל — 'them Joshua circumcised.'
מָ֣לcircumcisedQal perf 3ms · מוּל (H4135)Predicate verb, main clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actמוּל (H4135); Joshua's act toward the sons, resuming the narrative thread of v. 3.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַJoshuaN proper · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of מָליְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091).
כִּיbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the reason (uncircumcised state)כִּי (H3588); 'because' — introduces the reason the sons needed circumcision.
עֲרֵלִ֣יםuncircumcisedadj m pl abs · עָרֵל (H6189)Predicate adjective of nominal clauseעָרֵל (H6189) 'uncircumcised'; states plainly the sons' prior condition.
הָי֔וּthey wereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Copular verb completing the predicate עֲרֵלִים הָיוּ→ Perfective: a settled prior stateהָיָה (H1961); copula, 'they were uncircumcised.'
כִּ֛יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Second causal conjunction, restating the reasonכִּי (H3588); a second 'for/because,' restating and grounding the previous clause — 'for they had not circumcised them.'
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates מָלוּלֹא (H3808); negates the following verb.
מָ֥לוּthey had circumcisedQal perf 3cp · מוּל (H4135)Predicate verb, impersonal/indefinite plural ('one did not circumcise them')→ Perfective, pluperfect sense: a completed prior omission during the wilderness yearsמוּל (H4135); indefinite 3cp, 'they [i.e. no one] had circumcised them' — an idiomatic passive-like construction.
אוֹתָ֖םthemobj marker + 3mp sfx · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, object of מָלוּאֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix; object resuming the sons as those not circumcised.
בַּדָּֽרֶךְon the wayprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Locative prepositional phraseדֶּרֶךְ (H1870); 'on the way' — closes the explanatory digression begun in v. 4, echoing its own phrase בַּדֶּרֶךְ.
8
וַיְהִ֛י כַּאֲשֶׁר תַּ֥מּוּ כָל הַגּ֖וֹי לְהִמּ֑וֹל וַיֵּשְׁב֥וּ תַחְתָּ֛ם בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה עַ֥ד חֲיוֹתָֽם
Now when the whole nation had finished being circumcised, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed.
A second וַיְהִי marks a fresh narrative beat, moving from the act of circumcision to its immediate, vulnerable aftermath — an entire fighting force immobilized 'in the camp' near hostile Jericho, deliberately recalling the exposed moment after the Shechemites' mass circumcision in Genesis 34. The verse's quiet tone belies the military risk YHWH's people accept in obedience.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיְהִ֛יand it happenedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (temporal frame)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, resuming the storyline with a new temporal markerהָיָה (H1961); the narrative formula again marks a transition, now to the aftermath of the circumcision.
כַּאֲשֶׁרwhen, asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Temporal conjunction introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) with כְּ, 'when, as soon as' — introduces the temporal clause completed by the whole nation's circumcision.
תַּ֥מּוּhad finishedQal perf 3cp · תָּמַם (H8552)Predicate verb of the temporal clause→ Perfective: a completed process — the nation had finished being circumcisedתָּמַם (H8552) 'to be complete, finished'; here of a process reaching completion, 'when the whole nation had finished being circumcised.'
כָלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject, construct chainכֹּל (H3605); subject of תַּמּוּ.
הַגּ֖וֹיthe nationart + N m sg abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitive, construct chainגּוֹי (H1471); the whole nation, now inclusive (unlike the narrower 'men of war' of v. 6).
לְהִמּ֑וֹלto be circumcisedprep לְ + Niphal inf constr · מוּל (H4135)Infinitival complement of תַּמּוּ→ Infinitive construct, passive/reflexive sense: completes תַּמּוּ, 'finished being circumcised'מוּל (H4135) Niphal (passive), 'to be circumcised'; infinitive completing the verb of finishing — the whole operation's completion.
וַיֵּשְׁב֥וּand they remainedQal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence — main clause→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the recovery period beginsיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; the people remain encamped, recovering from the mass circumcision.
תַחְתָּ֛םin their placesprep תַּחַת + 3mp sfx · תַּחַת (H8478)Locative prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478); 'in their places' — each remained where he was, immobilized by the wound.
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֖הin the campprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Locative prepositional phraseמַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'; the vulnerable, exposed situation recalled in Gen 34:25 with the Shechemites — Israel's whole fighting force temporarily incapacitated near enemy territory.
עַ֥דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase governing the infinitiveעַד (H5704) 'until'; introduces the recovery period's endpoint.
חֲיוֹתָֽםthey were healedQal inf constr + 3mp sfx · חָיָה (H2421)Temporal infinitival clause, object of עַד→ Infinitive construct: temporal endpoint, 'until their reviving/healing'חָיָה (H2421) 'to live, revive, recover'; infinitive construct, 'until their reviving' — recovery from the circumcision wound, a vulnerable interval before Jericho.
9
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ הַיּ֗וֹם גַּלּ֛וֹתִי אֶת חֶרְפַּ֥ת מִצְרַ֖יִם מֵעֲלֵיכֶ֑ם וַיִּקְרָ֞א שֵׁ֣ם הַמָּק֤וֹם הַהוּא֙ גִּלְגָּ֔ל עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה
And YHWH said to Joshua, 'Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you.' So he called the name of that place Gilgal, to this day.
The pericope's payoff: YHWH's own first-person verb גַּלּוֹתִי ('I have rolled away') supplies the paronomasia behind גִּלְגָּל ('Gilgal'), turning the circumcision episode into the founding story of Israel's first base camp in the land. The closing 'to this day' formula signals the narrator's distance from the events and certifies the name's continued currency.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introduces divine speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — introduces the etiological divine wordאָמַר (H559); introduces YHWH's culminating word explaining the site's new name.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee)אֶל (H413).
יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַJoshuaN proper · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Object of preposition (addressee)יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091).
הַיּ֗וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal accusative, fronted for emphasisיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; fronted adverbial, 'today' — emphasizes the decisive, present moment of the reproach's removal.
גַּלּ֛וֹתִיI have rolled awayQal perf 1cs · גָּלַל (H1556)Predicate verb of divine first-person speech→ Perfective: a completed, decisive divine act, announced performatively — the declaration itself effects/confirms the removalגָּלַל (H1556) 'to roll'; the root behind the place-name גִּלְגָּל — 'I have rolled away the reproach' explicitly puns on Gilgal, the pivotal wordplay of the verse.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks חֶרְפַּת מִצְרַיִם as object of גַּלּוֹתִי.
חֶרְפַּ֥תthe reproach ofN f sg constr · חֶרְפָּה (H2781)Direct object, construct chainחֶרְפָּה (H2781) 'reproach, disgrace'; construct with מִצְרַיִם — the shame associated with Egypt, now removed.
מִצְרַ֖יִםof EgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive, closing construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714); 'the reproach of Egypt' — variously understood as the shame of enslavement, a taunt that YHWH could not bring Israel into the land, or the mark of uncircumcision associated with slavery; now rolled away by the renewed covenant sign.
מֵעֲלֵיכֶ֑םfrom upon youprep מִן + prep עַל + 2mp sfx · עַל (H5921)Source/locative prepositional phrase, complement of גַּלּוֹתִיעַל (H5921) with מִן and 2mp suffix; compound preposition 'from off/from upon you' — the reproach lifted from the nation.
וַיִּקְרָ֞אand he calledQal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence — the naming act→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the etiological naming that concludes the pericopeקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; the standard etiological formula, naming the site in commemoration of the event.
שֵׁ֣םthe name ofN m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object, construct chainשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; construct governing הַמָּקוֹם, 'the name of the place.'
הַמָּק֤וֹםthe placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Genitive, construct chainמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; the site of the circumcision, about to receive its permanent name.
הַהוּא֙thatart + demonstrative pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Demonstrative adjective modifying הַמָּקוֹםהוּא (H1931); 'that place,' distal demonstrative.
גִּלְגָּ֔לGilgalN proper · גִּלְגָּל (H1537)Predicate/second object of naming (double-accusative with קָרָא)גִּלְגָּל (H1537) 'Gilgal', from גָּלַל 'to roll'; the site's new name, directly explained by the wordplay in v. 9a — 'I have rolled (גַּלּוֹתִי) ... therefore Gilgal (גִּלְגָּל).'
עַ֖דuntil, toprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (narrator's present)עַד (H5704); 'to this day' formula, marking the narrator's own vantage point after the events.
הַיּ֥וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Object of preposition עַדיוֹם (H3117); 'this day,' completing the classic etiological 'to this day' formula.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative adjective modifying הַיּוֹםזֶה (H2088); 'this day' — the formula certifying the name Gilgal remained current at the time of writing.
10
וַיַּחֲנ֥וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בַּגִּלְגָּ֑ל וַיַּעֲשׂ֣וּ אֶת הַפֶּ֡סַח בְּאַרְבָּעָה֩ עָשָׂ֨ר י֥וֹם לַחֹ֛דֶשׁ בָּעֶ֖רֶב בְּעַֽרְב֥וֹת יְרִיחֽוֹ
The sons of Israel camped at Gilgal, and they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month, at evening, in the plains of Jericho.
The wayyiqtol chain resumes the main storyline once the recovery interval (v. 8) has passed, moving straight to the Passover — the very rite that Exod 12:48 bars the uncircumcised from eating. The circumcision at Gilgal was thus the necessary precondition for this feast, staged in view of Jericho.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיַּחֲנ֥וּand they campedQal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, resumes main storyline→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a new episode (Passover) beginsחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; resumes the main narrative after the healing interval, situating Israel's first encampment in the land.
בְנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject, construct chainבֵּן (H1121); subject of וַיַּחֲנוּ.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, closing construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
בַּגִּלְגָּ֑לat Gilgalprep בְּ + N proper · גִּלְגָּל (H1537)Locative prepositional phraseגִּלְגָּל (H1537); the newly named site, now serving as Israel's first camp and staging ground for Jericho.
וַיַּעֲשׂ֣וּand they keptQal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the Passover observanceעָשָׂה (H6213); idiomatic 'to keep/observe' a festival, here the Passover — cf. Exod 12:48's requirement that the uncircumcised may not eat it, now satisfied by vv. 2-8.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks הַפֶּסַח as object of וַיַּעֲשׂוּ.
הַפֶּ֡סַחthe Passoverart + N m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Direct object of וַיַּעֲשׂוּפֶּסַח (H6453) 'Passover'; the first celebration of the feast in the land itself, closing the loop from the exodus (Exod 12) through the wilderness (Num 9) to Canaan.
בְּאַרְבָּעָה֩on the fourteenthprep בְּ + N c sg abs (cardinal) · אַרְבָּעָה (H702)Temporal prepositional phrase, first element of compound numeralאַרְבָּעָה (H702) 'four'; with עָשָׂר forms 'fourteen,' the fixed Passover date (Exod 12:6; Lev 23:5).
עָשָׂ֨ר-teenN m sg abs (cardinal) · עָשָׂר (H6240)Second element of compound numeral, appositionעָשָׂר (H6240) 'ten'; combined with אַרְבָּעָה, 'fourteen(th)' — the appointed Passover day.
י֥וֹםdayN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Apposition, specifying the unit countedיוֹם (H3117); 'day,' completing 'the fourteenth day.'
לַחֹ֛דֶשׁof the monthprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive-equivalent prepositional phrase, specifying the monthחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month, new moon'; the first month, Abib/Nisan, per the Passover legislation.
בָּעֶ֖רֶבat eveningprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Temporal prepositional phraseעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'; per Exod 12:6, the Passover lamb was slaughtered 'between the two evenings.'
בְּעַֽרְב֥וֹתin the plains ofprep בְּ + N f pl constr · עֲרָבָה (H6160)Locative prepositional phraseעֲרָבָה (H6160) 'desert plain, steppe'; construct with יְרִיחוֹ, the arid lowland of the Jordan Valley near Jericho.
יְרִיחֽוֹJerichoN proper · יְרִיחוֹ (H3405)Genitive, closing construct chainיְרִיחוֹ (H3405) 'Jericho'; the fortified city about to be the object of Israel's first conquest, already visible from the camp.
11
וַיֹּ֨אכְל֜וּ מֵעֲב֥וּר הָאָ֛רֶץ מִמָּֽחֳרַ֥ת הַפֶּ֖סַח מַצּ֣וֹת וְקָל֑וּי בְּעֶ֖צֶם הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה
And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover — unleavened bread and roasted grain — on that very day.
The rare word עָבוּר ('produce') marks a lexical turning point: this is the first meal in Joshua drawn from Canaan's own soil rather than manna or Egyptian provisions. The date formula בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה pins the transition with legal precision, setting up the terse notice of v. 12 that the manna itself ceased that very day.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיֹּ֨אכְל֜וּand they ateQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָכַל (H398)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the meal following Passoverאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the meal that immediately follows the Passover, using the land's own produce for the first time.
מֵעֲב֥וּרfrom the produce ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · עָבוּר (H5669)Source prepositional phrase, complement of וַיֹּאכְלוּעָבוּר (H5669) 'produce, yield' (rare, from עָבַר 'to pass, cross over'); construct with הָאָרֶץ — a deliberately rare word marking this as the very first harvest-meal in Canaan, distinct from the manna.
הָאָ֛רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive, closing construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776); the promised land, now yielding its own food to sustain the people.
מִמָּֽחֳרַ֥תfrom the morrow ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · מָחֳרָת (H4283)Temporal prepositional phraseמָחֳרָת (H4283) 'the next day, morrow'; construct with הַפֶּסַח, dating the meal to the day after Passover, i.e. the 15th, the start of Unleavened Bread.
הַפֶּ֖סַחthe Passoverart + N m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Genitive, closing construct chainפֶּסַח (H6453); the reference point for dating the following meal.
מַצּ֣וֹתunleavened breadN f pl abs · מַצָּה (H4682)Direct object (accusative of the food eaten)מַצָּה (H4682) 'unleavened bread'; the food of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which begins the day after Passover (Lev 23:5-6).
וְקָל֑וּיand roasted grainconj וְ + Qal passive ptc m sg abs · קָלָה (H7033)Passive participle used substantivally, coordinated with מַצּוֹת→ Passive participle: stative, describing prepared/roasted grain as a food itemקָלָה (H7033) 'to roast, parch'; passive participle used as a noun, 'roasted (grain)' — a simple, unprocessed meal from the new land's harvest.
בְּעֶ֖צֶםon the veryprep בְּ + N f sg constr · עֶצֶם (H6106)Temporal prepositional phrase, idiom of emphasisעֶצֶם (H6106) 'bone, substance, self'; idiom בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה 'on this very day' — emphatic precision of dating.
הַיּ֥וֹםdayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive, construct chain (idiom)יוֹם (H3117); completing the emphatic dating idiom.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative adjective modifying הַיּוֹםזֶה (H2088); 'this very day' — closes the precise dating formula.
12
וַיִּשְׁבֹּ֨ת הַמָּ֜ן מִֽמָּחֳרָ֗ת בְּאָכְלָם֙ מֵעֲב֣וּר הָאָ֔רֶץ וְלֹא הָ֥יָה ע֛וֹד לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מָ֑ן וַיֹּאכְל֗וּ מִתְּבוּאַת֙ אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן בַּשָּׁנָ֖ה הַהִֽיא
And the manna ceased on the day after they ate of the produce of the land, and there was no longer manna for the sons of Israel; but they ate of the yield of the land of Canaan that year.
Forty years of miraculous provision end in a single understated verb, שָׁבַת — the same root as Sabbath, suggesting the manna's task is simply 'finished,' not violently terminated. The verse is given full narrative weight precisely through its restraint: no lament, no ceremony, just a quiet handover from wilderness gift to the land's own yield (תְּבוּאָה), sealing Israel's transition from wandering people to landed nation.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיִּשְׁבֹּ֨תand it ceasedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁבַת (H7673)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence — the pivotal turning point→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the quiet close of the wilderness eraשָׁבַת (H7673) 'to cease, rest'; the same root as שַׁבָּת 'Sabbath' — the manna's forty-year provision comes to rest/an end, stated with striking brevity for so momentous a transition.
הַמָּ֜ןthe mannaart + N m sg abs · מָן (H4478)Subject of וַיִּשְׁבֹּתמָן (H4478) 'manna'; the wilderness food of Exod 16, now definitively withdrawn.
מִֽמָּחֳרָ֗תon the morrowprep מִן + N f sg abs · מָחֳרָת (H4283)Temporal prepositional phraseמָחֳרָת (H4283); 'on the next day' — repeats v. 11's dating, tying the manna's end precisely to the day after Passover.
בְּאָכְלָם֙when they ateprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 3mp sfx · אָכַל (H398)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive construct: temporal, 'when they ate' — pinpoints the moment of transitionאָכַל (H398); temporal infinitive, 'in their eating' — synchronizes the manna's cessation with the eating of the land's produce (v. 11).
מֵעֲב֣וּרof the produce ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · עָבוּר (H5669)Source prepositional phrase, complement of בְּאָכְלָםעָבוּר (H5669); repeats v. 11's rare term, underscoring the direct causal link between eating the land's produce and the manna's end.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive, closing construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776).
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction with negated predicateלֹא (H3808); negates הָיָה, 'and there was no longer.'
הָ֥יָהthere wasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential clause)→ Perfective: a settled, final state — the definitive end of the manna eraהָיָה (H1961); existential, 'there was no longer manna.'
ע֛וֹדany longeradverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverbial modifier of הָיָה, negatedעוֹד (H5750) 'still, again'; negated, 'no longer' — finality of the manna's cessation.
לִבְנֵ֥יfor the sons ofprep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Dative of possession/beneficiaryבֵּן (H1121); 'for the sons of Israel' — those who had depended on the manna for forty years.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, closing construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
מָ֑ןmannaN m sg abs · מָן (H4478)Subject of הָיָה (resumed)מָן (H4478); repeats the subject for clarity/emphasis at clause-end.
וַיֹּאכְל֗וּand they ateQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָכַל (H398)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the new, permanent diet beginsאָכַל (H398); resumes the eating verb, now describing the ongoing pattern for 'that year.'
מִתְּבוּאַת֙from the yield ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · תְּבוּאָה (H8393)Source prepositional phrase, complement of וַיֹּאכְלוּתְּבוּאָה (H8393) 'produce, yield, income'; a more common synonym of עָבוּר, marking the ongoing (not one-time) diet of the land's crops.
אֶ֣רֶץthe land ofN c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive, construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776); construct with כְּנַעַן.
כְּנַ֔עַןCanaanN proper · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive, closing construct chainכְּנַעַן (H3667); the land now formally named as the source of Israel's sustenance.
בַּשָּׁנָ֖הin the yearprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Temporal prepositional phraseשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; 'that year' — the first year in the land.
הַהִֽיאthatart + demonstrative pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Demonstrative adjective modifying בַּשָּׁנָההִיא (H1931); 'that year,' closing the chapter's account of the wilderness era's end.
13
וַיְהִ֗י בִּֽהְי֣וֹת יְהוֹשֻׁעַ֮ בִּירִיחוֹ֒ וַיִּשָּׂ֤א עֵינָיו֙ וַיַּ֔רְא וְהִנֵּה אִישׁ֙ עֹמֵ֣ד לְנֶגְדּ֔וֹ וְחַרְבּ֥וֹ שְׁלוּפָ֖ה בְּיָד֑וֹ וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ אֵלָיו֙ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֔וֹ הֲלָ֥נוּ אַתָּ֖ה אִם לְצָרֵֽינוּ
Now when Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, 'Are you for us, or for our adversaries?'
A fresh וַיְהִי pivots from the community's rites (circumcision, Passover, manna's end) to Joshua's solitary encounter. The seeing-formula (נָשָׂא עֵינָיו...וְהִנֵּה) and the deliberately unmarked 'man' (אִישׁ) build suspense before the figure's identity is disclosed in v. 14. Joshua's approach and blunt challenge display the boldness urged on him throughout ch. 1.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַיְהִ֗יand it happenedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (temporal frame)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a new, numinous episode beginsהָיָה (H1961); the narrative formula opens the final, theophanic scene of the chapter.
בִּֽהְי֣וֹתwhen...wasprep בְּ + Qal inf constr · הָיָה (H1961)Temporal infinitival clause (protasis of וַיְהִי)→ Infinitive construct: temporal, 'when/while Joshua was'הָיָה (H1961); temporal infinitive, 'while Joshua was by Jericho.'
יְהוֹשֻׁעַ֮JoshuaN proper · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of בִּהְיוֹתיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091).
בִּירִיחוֹ֒by Jerichoprep בְּ + N proper · יְרִיחוֹ (H3405)Locative prepositional phraseיְרִיחוֹ (H3405); Joshua is near the fortified city, presumably scouting or reflecting before the siege.
וַיִּשָּׂ֤אand he liftedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the visual encounter beginsנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry'; idiom נָשָׂא עֵינָיו 'to lift up one's eyes' — a standard formula introducing a significant sighting (cf. Gen 18:2; 22:4).
עֵינָיו֙his eyesN c dual constr + 3ms sfx · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object of וַיִּשָּׂאעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual, 'his eyes' — completing the idiom of attentive looking.
וַיַּ֔רְאand he sawQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the moment of sightingרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the second verb of the seeing-formula, introducing the vision proper via וְהִנֵּה.
וְהִנֵּהand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing the vision, vivifying the narrationהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; shifts to the character's immediate point of view, heightening the drama of the encounter.
אִישׁ֙a manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of the nominal clause introduced by הִנֵּהאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; deliberately ambiguous — the figure appears human but is soon revealed as the commander of YHWH's army (v. 14), paralleling the 'man' who wrestled Jacob (Gen 32) and angelic 'man' figures generally.
עֹמֵ֣דstandingQal ptc m sg abs · עָמַד (H5975)Substantival/attributive participle modifying אִישׁ→ Participle: durative, describing the figure's fixed posture at the moment of sightingעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; participle describing the figure's posture — an alert, ready stance.
לְנֶגְדּ֔וֹopposite himprep לְ + prep נֶגֶד + 3ms sfx · נֶגֶד (H5048)Locative prepositional phrase modifying עֹמֵדנֶגֶד (H5048) 'in front of, opposite'; the figure stands directly facing Joshua, confrontationally.
וְחַרְבּ֥וֹand his swordconj וְ + N f sg constr + 3ms sfx · חֶרֶב (H2719)Subject of nominal clause (circumstantial)חֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; the same word used for the flint circumcision-knives in vv. 2-3, now the weapon of a divine warrior.
שְׁלוּפָ֖הdrawnQal passive ptc f sg abs · שָׁלַף (H8025)Predicate adjective (passive participle) of circumstantial clause→ Passive participle: stative, describing the sword's readied conditionשָׁלַף (H8025) 'to draw out, unsheathe'; passive participle, 'drawn' — signals immediate readiness for combat, heightening the tension of the confrontation.
בְּיָד֑וֹin his handprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 3ms sfx · יָד (H3027)Locative prepositional phraseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; completes the vivid martial image — a warrior figure with sword drawn.
וַיֵּ֨לֶךְand he wentQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H1980)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Joshua's bold approachהָלַךְ (H1980); Joshua advances toward the armed figure rather than fleeing — a mark of the courage urged on him in 1:9.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַJoshuaN proper · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיֵּלֶךְיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091).
אֵלָיו֙to himprep אֶל + 3ms sfx · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) with 3ms suffix; 'to him' — the direction of Joshua's approach.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Joshua initiates speechאָמַר (H559); Joshua speaks first, boldly challenging the armed figure.
ל֔וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms sfx · לְIndirect object of וַיֹּאמֶרלְ preposition with 3ms suffix; marks the addressee of Joshua's question.
הֲלָ֥נוּare you for us?interrog particle הֲ + prep לְ + 1cp sfx · הֲ/לְInterrogative particle opening a direct question, fronted prepositional phraseהֲ interrogative marker with לְ + 1cp suffix, 'for us?' — Joshua's blunt challenge, demanding to know the figure's allegiance.
אַתָּ֖הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of the interrogative clauseאַתָּה (H859) 2ms independent pronoun; emphatic subject of Joshua's question.
אִםorconj · אִם (H518)Disjunctive conjunction introducing the second alternativeאִם (H518) 'if'; here disjunctive 'or,' as typical in alternative questions (הֲ...אִם).
לְצָרֵֽינוּfor our adversariesprep לְ + N m pl constr + 1cp sfx · צַר (H6862)Second alternative of the interrogative clauseצַר (H6862) 'adversary, enemy'; construct plural with 1cp suffix, 'our adversaries' — the second, opposing option in Joshua's challenge.
14
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לֹ֗א כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י שַׂר צְבָֽא יְהוָ֖ה עַתָּ֣ה בָ֑אתִי וַיִּפֹּל֩ יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ אֶל פָּנָ֥יו אַ֨רְצָה֙ וַיִּשְׁתָּ֔חוּ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֔וֹ מָ֥ה אֲדֹנִ֖י מְדַבֵּ֥ר אֶל עַבְדּֽוֹ
And he said, 'No, but I am the commander of the army of YHWH; now I have come.' And Joshua fell on his face to the ground and worshiped, and said to him, 'What does my lord speak to his servant?'
The figure's answer overturns Joshua's binary question: he belongs to neither side but commands the heavenly army itself. Joshua's response — falling, worshiping (וַיִּשְׁתָּחוּ, the technical verb of cultic reverence), and calling himself 'servant' — signals recognition of a theophany, not merely an angelic messenger. The scene closely parallels Moses at the burning bush (Exod 3), casting Joshua as Moses' true successor even in the mode of his call.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the figure's answerאָמַר (H559); the figure responds to Joshua's challenge.
לֹ֗אnoneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Independent negation, answering Joshua's either/or questionלֹא (H3808); a blunt negation of both options in Joshua's question — neither 'for us' nor 'for our adversaries' quite fits; the figure transcends the human categories of the question.
כִּ֛יratherconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative/explanatory conjunction introducing the self-identificationכִּי (H3588); here adversative, 'but rather' — introduces the true answer that supersedes Joshua's binary question.
אֲנִ֥יIindependent pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of nominal self-identification clauseאֲנִי (H589) 1cs independent pronoun; emphatic self-identification, echoing the divine self-presentations of theophany scenes (cf. Exod 3:6).
שַׂרcommander ofN m sg constr · שַׂר (H8269)Predicate nominative, construct chainשַׂר (H8269) 'chief, commander, prince'; construct with צְבָא יְהוָה — the figure's title, resolving the ambiguity of v. 13's 'man.'
צְבָֽאthe army ofN c sg constr · צָבָא (H6635)Construct chain, genitiveצָבָא (H6635) 'army, host'; construct with יְהוָה — 'the army of YHWH,' the heavenly/angelic host commanded by this figure.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive, closing construct chainיְהוָה (H3068); whose army this figure commands — a title of supreme, divinely-commissioned authority.
עַתָּ֣הnowadverb · עַתָּה (H6258)Temporal adverbעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; marks the present moment as the occasion of his arrival — a decisive, timely intervention.
בָ֑אתִיI have comeQal perf 1cs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of self-identification clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive arrival — announcing his presence as accomplished factבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; states his arrival with authority — presence, not merely message.
וַיִּפֹּל֩and he fellQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence — Joshua's response of worship→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — immediate prostration upon recognizing the figure's true identityנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; Joshua's instantaneous prostration, recognizing the figure's numinous authority.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַJoshuaN proper · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיִּפֹּליְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413); 'to his face,' i.e. face-down.
פָּנָ֥יוhis faceN c pl constr + 3ms sfx · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of preposition אֶלפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; 'on his face' — the posture of complete prostration.
אַ֨רְצָה֙to the groundN c sg abs + directional ה · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial accusative of directionאֶרֶץ (H776) with directional ה, 'to the ground' — completing the picture of total prostration.
וַיִּשְׁתָּ֔חוּand he worshipedHitpael wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁחָה (H7812)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — an act of worship, not mere courtesyשָׁחָה (H7812) Hitpael 'to bow down, prostrate oneself, worship'; the technical verb of worship — Joshua's act is cultic reverence, not simply respect for a military superior, confirming the figure's transcendent status.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Joshua speaks from prostrationאָמַר (H559); Joshua speaks again, now in a posture of worship.
ל֔וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms sfx · לְIndirect object of וַיֹּאמֶרלְ preposition with 3ms suffix; marks the addressee.
מָ֥הwhatinterrog pron · מָה (H4100)Interrogative, object of מְדַבֵּרמָה (H4100) 'what'; opens Joshua's submissive question, now addressing the figure as 'my lord.'
אֲדֹנִ֖יmy lordN m sg constr + 1cs sfx · אָדוֹן (H136)Vocative/subject of מְדַבֵּר, term of deferential addressאָדוֹן (H136) 'lord, master'; with 1cs suffix, 'my lord' — Joshua's deferential address, appropriate to a superior or divine figure.
מְדַבֵּ֥רspeakingPiel ptc m sg abs · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate participle, main verb of Joshua's question→ Participle: durative, present-tense framing of the ongoing speech-actדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; participle, 'is speaking' — Joshua awaits the commander's instruction.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee of מְדַבֵּר)אֶל (H413); marks the recipient of the speech, 'to his servant.'
עַבְדּֽוֹhis servantN m sg constr + 3ms sfx · עֶבֶד (H5650)Object of preposition אֶל, self-referential (Joshua of himself)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave'; Joshua refers to himself in the third person as 'his servant' — a conventional idiom of deference before a superior, echoing Moses' title in 1:1.
15
וַיֹּאמֶר֩ שַׂר צְבָ֨א יְהוָ֜ה אֶל יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ שַׁל נַֽעַלְךָ֙ מֵעַ֣ל רַגְלֶ֔ךָ כִּ֣י הַמָּק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתָּ֛ה עֹמֵ֥ד עָלָ֖יו קֹ֣דֶשׁ ה֑וּא וַיַּ֥עַשׂ יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ כֵּֽן
And the commander of the army of YHWH said to Joshua, 'Remove your sandal from your foot, for the place on which you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did so.
The command שַׁל נַעַלְךָ מֵעַל רַגְלֶךָ כִּי...קֹדֶשׁ הוּא reproduces Exod 3:5 almost verbatim, deliberately casting Joshua's commission as a second burning-bush encounter and confirming him as Moses' true heir. The chapter ends on the single spare verb כֵּן ('so') — unadorned obedience, without the questions or hesitation that marked Moses' own call, closing both the theophany and the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩and he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the commander responds to Joshua's questionאָמַר (H559); introduces the commander's instruction, echoing Exod 3:5's parallel command to Moses.
שַׂרthe commander ofN m sg constr · שַׂר (H8269)Subject, construct chain (resumed title)שַׂר (H8269); the title repeated to reintroduce the speaker formally.
צְבָ֨אthe army ofN c sg constr · צָבָא (H6635)Construct chainצָבָא (H6635).
יְהוָ֜הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive, closing construct chainיְהוָה (H3068).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee)אֶל (H413).
יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַJoshuaN proper · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Object of preposition (addressee)יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091).
שַׁלremoveQal impv 2ms · נָשַׁל (H5394)Predicate verb, imperative (direct command)→ Volitional: imperative command, the theophany's central instructionנָשַׁל (H5394) 'to draw off, remove'; imperative — the command to remove footwear, directly echoing Exod 3:5's שַׁל נְעָלֶיךָ to Moses at the burning bush, the note's centerpiece parallel.
נַֽעַלְךָ֙your sandalN f sg constr + 2ms sfx · נַעַל (H5275)Direct object of שַׁלנַעַל (H5275) 'sandal'; singular (though a pair is presumably meant, or the idiom is collective) — the article of footwear to be removed.
מֵעַ֣לfrom offprep מִן + prep עַל · עַל (H5921)Source prepositional phrase, complement of שַׁלעַל (H5921) with מִן; compound preposition 'from off, from upon.'
רַגְלֶ֔ךָyour footN f sg constr + 2ms sfx · רֶגֶל (H7272)Object of preposition מֵעַלרֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot'; the site of the sandal's removal.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the reason for the commandכִּי (H3588); 'for' — grounds the command in the sanctity of the place, exactly as in Exod 3:5.
הַמָּק֗וֹםthe placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Subject of nominal clause קֹדֶשׁ הוּאמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; the ground where Joshua stands, now declared holy — sanctified by this theophanic presence, not by any prior consecration.
אֲשֶׁ֥רon whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הַמָּקוֹםאֲשֶׁר (H834); 'on which you are standing.'
אַתָּ֛הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of עֹמֵדאַתָּה (H859); emphatic subject, 'you (yourself) are standing.'
עֹמֵ֥דstandingQal ptc m sg abs · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate participle of the relative clause→ Participle: durative, present-tense description of Joshua's current postureעָמַד (H5975); Joshua's present, ongoing posture — standing on holy ground even now.
עָלָ֖יוon itprep עַל + 3ms sfx · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase, resumptive of הַמָּקוֹםעַל (H5921) with 3ms suffix, resuming 'the place' as the surface Joshua stands on.
קֹ֣דֶשׁholyN m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Predicate nominative of nominal clauseקֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holiness, sacredness'; predicate noun, 'is holy' — the same declaration YHWH makes to Moses (Exod 3:5), now made to Joshua, marking him as Moses' true successor even in this mode of encounter.
ה֑וּאit isindependent pron 3ms (copula) · הוּא (H1931)Copular pronoun completing the nominal clauseהוּא (H1931); pronominal copula, 'it [is]' — standard Hebrew nominal-clause construction.
וַיַּ֥עַשׂand he didQal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence — compliance→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — immediate, silent obedience closing the chapterעָשָׂה (H6213); Joshua's compliance, closing the chapter exactly as it closes the Exod 3 parallel — obedience without recorded protest, unlike Moses.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַJoshuaN proper · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיַּעַשׂיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091).
כֵּֽןsoadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial complement of וַיַּעַשׂכֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; 'did so' — the chapter's final word, a spare, complete note of obedience that closes both the theophany and the chapter as a whole.