Joshua 5:9

Verse 9. Egypt. The people of that country adopted circumcision only after this period, ( Calmet.) and it never became general among them. They were therefore held in abhorrence, like the rest of the uncircumcised nations, among the Jews. Genesis 34:14. 1 Kennicott. 14:6. Theodoret (q. 4,) looks upon circumcision as a symbol of the liberation from the servitude of Egypt, where, he says, history informs us, that many of the Hebrews had neglected this rite.—Galgal is interpreted liberty, by Josephus; but moderns render it “a rolling away,” ( Calmet.) or revolution. Hebrew “I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you.” Bible.—Those Israelites who remained at the other side of the river, were ordered to be circumcised at the same time with their brethren. But they could not partake in the solemnity of the Passover, as they were at a distance from the ark. Salien.

“Gilgal” sounds like the Hebrew for “roll.”