en_tn/tNotes/Joshua/Joshua_05.md

Joshua 5

Joshua 5:1

their hearts melted ... there was no longer any spirit in them

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of their fear. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)

their hearts melted

Here "hearts" refers to their courage. They were so afraid that it was as if their courage melted away like wax in a fire. Alternate translation: "they lost all their courage" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

there was no longer any spirit in them

Here "spirit" refers to their will to fight. Alternate translation: "they no longer had any will to fight" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

Joshua 5:2

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Joshua 5:3

Joshua made himself flint knives ... he circumcised all the sons

There were over 600,000 males, so it is understood that while Joshua was in charge of this task, many other people helped him. If this would confuse your readers, you may want to make this explicit. Alternate translation: "Joshua and the Israelites made themselves flint knives ... they circumcised all the males" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

Gibeath Haaraloth

This is a place name which commemorates Israel rededicating themselves to Yahweh. It means "the hill of the foreskins." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)

Joshua 5:4

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The reason all the males of Israel had to be circumcised is explained.

the men of war

the men who were old enough to be soldiers

Joshua 5:5

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Joshua 5:6

obey the voice of Yahweh

Here "voice" refers to the things that Yahweh spoke. Alternate translation: "obey the things that Yahweh commanded them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

a land flowing with milk and honey

God spoke of the land being good for animals and plants as if the milk and honey from those animals and plants were flowing through the land. Alternate translation: "a land that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

Joshua 5:7

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Joshua 5:8

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Joshua 5:9

This day I have rolled away the disgrace of Egypt from you

Their disgrace is spoken of as if it were a large stone that blocked their path. Here "rolled away" means "removed." Alternate translation: "This day I have removed the disgrace of Egypt from you" or "You were disgraced when you were slaves in Egypt. But, today I have caused you to no longer be disgraced" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Joshua 5:10

the fourteenth day of the month

This is near the end of March on Western calendars. Alternate translation: "the fourteenth day of the first month" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-hebrewmonths and rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-ordinal and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

Joshua 5:11

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Joshua 5:12

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Joshua 5:13

he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing

Here looking up is spoken of as if Joshua literally lifted his eyes in his hands. Alternate translation: "he looked up and saw that a man was standing" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

behold

The word "behold" alerts us to pay special attention to new information. Your language may have a way of doing this.

he had drawn his sword and it was in his hand

Here the words "he" and "his" refer to the man who was standing in front of Joshua.

Joshua 5:14

He said

The word "he" refers to the man Joshua saw.

Neither

This is the beginning of the man's answer to Joshua's question, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" This short answer could be clarified. Alternate translation: "I am neither for you nor for your enemies"

Joshua lay facedown on the ground to worship

This was an act of worship. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)

Joshua 5:15

Take off your sandals from your feet

This was an act of reverence. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)