Book of Joshua - Chapter 4 - Verse 19
Meaning
After the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, they arrived at Gilgal on the tenth day of the first month. This event marked the end of their forty years of wandering in the wilderness and the beginning of their conquest of the Promised Land. Gilgal was located on the eastern border of Jericho, and it served as the first base for the Israelites as they prepared to take possession of the land of Canaan. The name "Gilgal" means "circle" or "rolling," signifying a place of new beginnings and a fresh start for the Israelites. It was here that the Israelites set up camp and performed the ritual of circumcision as a sign of their renewal of the covenant with God. Gilgal became a symbol of the faithfulness and deliverance of God, as well as a reminder of the importance of obedience and commitment to His promises.
Theological Overview
Upon examining the theological interpretation of the verse, "And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho," we can see the significance of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River as a symbol of leaving behind their old life of bondage in Egypt and entering into the promised land. The tenth day of the first month holds significance as the beginning of a new chapter for the Israelites, marking the start of their conquest of the land promised to them by God. The location of Gilgal, on the east border of Jericho, is also symbolic of a new beginning, as it was the first place the Israelites set up camp after crossing the Jordan. This transition represents a shift from wandering in the wilderness to settling in the land of promise, emphasizing the faithfulness of God to His people.