But Zipporah circumcised her son with a flint knife. She touched his legs with the skin she had cut off and said, “My dear son, this blood will protect you.”
Joshua 5:2 - Contemporary English Version Interconfessional Edition While Israel was camped at Gilgal, the Lord said, “Joshua, make some flint knives and circumcise the rest of the Israelite men and boys.” Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition At that time the Lord said to Joshua, Make knives of flint and circumcise the [new generation of] Israelites as before. American Standard Version (1901) At that time Jehovah said unto Joshua, Make thee knives of flint, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. Common English Bible At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make yourself flint knives. Circumcise the Israelites for a second time.” Catholic Public Domain Version So at that time, the Lord said to Joshua: "Make for yourself knives of stone, and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time." Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version At that time the Lord said to Josue: Make thee knives of stone, and circumcise the second time the children of Israel. |
But Zipporah circumcised her son with a flint knife. She touched his legs with the skin she had cut off and said, “My dear son, this blood will protect you.”
To be a real Jew you must obey the Law. True circumcision is something that happens deep in your heart, not something done to your body. And besides, you should want praise from God and not from humans.
Abraham let himself be circumcised to show he had been accepted because of his faith even before he was circumcised. This makes Abraham the father of all who are acceptable to God because of their faith, even though they are not circumcised.
You and your descendants are stubborn, but the Lord will make you willing to obey him and love him with all your heart and soul, and you will enjoy a long life.
Christ has also taken away your selfish desires, just as circumcision removes flesh from the body.
Joshua made the knives, then circumcised those men and boys at Haaraloth Hill.