--The first thing the Israelites were commanded to do upon entering the promised land was to take twelve stones from the Jordan, while it was parted, and arrange them in a circle in the land. The place of these stones would come to be known as Gilgal, which is a Hebrew word meaning "wheel or circle".

Gilgal has the same root word as Galilee, which also speaks of a wheel or circle. Galilee got its name from the lake that dominates the region. This lake was known at times to be smooth as glass which reflected the sky above it on its clear surface. In ancient times the sky was known as the "wheel of Heaven" because it appeared to revolve around the earth like a wheel, so in time, the people, seeing the revolving sky reflected in the lake, would come to call the lake Galilee, or "wheel of Heaven".

Twelve is the number of the Kingdom.

Consequently, when Joshua entered the promised land the first thing God wanted him to do was set up this Gilgal, or wheel, of 12 stones to remind the people of their holy mission -- to establish the Kingdom of Heaven in the land of Canaan. This why the Lord sent His angel to Joshua...

When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, "Are You for us or for our enemies?" "Neither," He replied. "I have now come as commander of the LORD's army." Then Joshua bowed with his face to the ground in worship and asked Him, "What does my Lord want to say to His servant?" (Jos 5:13-14)