When the circumcising of the whole nation was finished, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed.
The Canaanite kings had held their nerve until now, trusting their fortified cities and populated lands to hold the invaders at bay. But when word came that Israel had crossed Jordan by miracle, not by force, their hearts melted like wax; the God of nature Himself fought for this people, and all their courage evaporated.
AI summary
Commenting on Joshua 5:1-9
And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people,.... Which seems as if it was done in one day, even on the same day they passed over Jordan, and came to Gilgal; though Bishop Usher (a) thinks it was the day following; and so the Jews (b) say it was on the eleventh of Nisan: that they abode in their places...
Stone knives, not metal ones, though iron was known to the Hebrews by Joshua's time; flint was probably chosen because they lacked sufficient metal implements for so vast a people. The 'second time' does not require repeating the rite on those already circumcised, but resuming what had long been discontinued.
AI summary
Commenting on Joshua 5:2-12