Joshua 5:6-9

"For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the nation, even the men of war that came forth out of Egypt, were consumed, because they hearkened not unto the voice of Jehovah: unto whom Jehovah sware that he would not let them see the land which Jehovah sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them did Joshua circumcise: for they were uncircumcised. because they had not circumcised them by the way. And it came to pass when they had done circumcising all the nation, that they abode in their places in the camp till they were whole. And Jehovah said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore, the name of that place was called Gilgal, unto this day."

These verses make clear that the circumcision by Joshua pertained only to those persons for whom it had been omitted during the wanderings.

"The reproach of Egypt here is enigmatical. It would seem that the reproach was the non-covenant status of Israel as a mixed multitude, not yet adequately formed into a religious community."[15] There would also appear to be a possible reference here to the paganism the Jews had encountered in Egypt, and in some degree adopted (See Stephen's speech in Acts 7). There is a stigma that exists for all people of any age who are NOT in covenant relations with God. Boling stated that the "reproach" had something to do with "freedom from the scorn and indignity of slavery."[16]

There are several interesting facts about the Gilgal mentioned in Joshua 5:9. The usual explanation makes the name a derivative from "circle of stones," the alleged meaning; but the passage here gives another derivation, and we believe that preference belongs here. Although, "the exact location of it is not known,"[17] Josephus confidently affirmed that it was located 10 furlongs (about 6,600 feet)[18] from Jericho.