Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I attempt to read the Bible with fresh eyes, as if I don't know anything about it, and without consulting experts on what it "really" means. Let's see where this takes us!
Joshua 5
I'm reading Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
Four events in Joshua 5:
All the kings in the neighborhood hear the news about Joshua crossing the Jordan on dry ground and their "hearts melted."
The generation of men growing up in the wilderness had not been circumcised, so Joshua carries out The LORD's order to mutilate their genitalia. It takes time for them to heal. I wonder what would have happened if the neighboring kings had known about this. You'd think they would have attacked with the Israelites at their most vulnerable.
Israel will now eat off the land and will no longer be supplied with manna sent from the sky. After all, they have crossed into the land "flowing with milk and honey."
The "commander of the army of the LORD" (NRSV) or "Prince of Jehovah's host" (YLT) meets with Joshua, who is asked to remove his sandals for being on "holy ground."
This commander/Prince figure may be explained in the next chapter. It appears to me that the difference in job titles between the two translations is quite large. In any case, this figure appears as a "man" (NRSV), unlike when Moses met the LORD at the burning bush and was also told to remove his shoes.
Sounds like something big is about to happen.
James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support! You may contact James for your writing, editing, and research needs: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.
(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)
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