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Joshua 10:25

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And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.

And Joshua {H3091} said {H559} unto them, Fear {H3372} not, nor be dismayed {H2865}, be strong {H2388} and of good courage {H553}: for thus shall the LORD {H3068} do {H6213} to all your enemies {H341} against whom ye fight {H3898}.

Y'hoshua said to them, "Don't be afraid or confused, but be strong and bold, because this is what ADONAI will do to all your enemies that you fight against."

“Do not be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua said. “Be strong and courageous, for the LORD will do this to all the enemies you fight.”

And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage: for thus shall Jehovah do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.

Commentary

This verse captures Joshua's powerful encouragement to the leaders of Israel after a decisive victory. Following the defeat of the five Amorite kings who attacked Gibeon, these kings were found hiding in a cave. Joshua calls his commanders forward, instructs them to put their feet on the necks of the kings, symbolizing complete conquest and dominion, and then delivers this charge before they are executed.

Context

The immediate context is Joshua chapter 10, a chapter detailing Israel's rapid campaign against a coalition of southern Canaanite kings led by the king of Jerusalem. This campaign included the miraculous sun standing still (Joshua 10:12-13), demonstrating God's direct intervention on behalf of Israel. The capture and execution of the five kings (Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, Eglon) marked a significant turning point, consolidating Israel's control and demoralizing their enemies. Joshua's words here are meant to embolden his leaders, assuring them that this victory is a pattern for future conflicts.

Key Themes

  • Courage and Confidence: The repeated command to "be strong and of good courage" is central, echoing God's own instructions to Joshua earlier in the book.
  • Divine Assurance: The core reason for their courage is not their own strength, but the promise that "thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies." The victory belongs to God.
  • Victory Over Enemies: The verse speaks directly to overcoming opposition, a theme prevalent throughout the conquest narrative and applicable metaphorically to spiritual battles.
  • Leadership by Faith: Joshua's words serve as an example of faithful leadership, instilling trust in God's promises within his people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Fear not, nor be dismayed" (אַל־תִּירְאוּ וְאַל־תֵּחַתּוּ, al-tir'u v'al-techattu) is a common biblical exhortation against fear and discouragement. The subsequent command, "be strong and of good courage" (חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ, chazaq v'ametz), is a powerful idiom urging inner fortitude and resolve. This pairing emphasizes that overcoming fear is directly linked to actively embracing strength and courage that comes from trusting in God's power, not human ability.

Practical Application

While this verse describes a literal military conquest, its principles apply to believers today. We are called not to fear the challenges or opposition we face in living out our faith. Just as God fought for Israel against physical foes, He promises to be with us in our spiritual battles against sin, temptation, and worldly influences (Ephesians 6:12). Joshua's words remind us to find our courage and strength in the assurance that the LORD is with us and will ultimately grant victory over all that stands against His purposes in our lives (Isaiah 41:10).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 1:9 (9 votes)

    Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:10 (9 votes)

    Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver [us];

  • Ephesians 6:10 (7 votes)

    ¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

  • 1 Samuel 17:37 (7 votes)

    David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

  • Romans 8:37 (7 votes)

    Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

  • Deuteronomy 31:6 (7 votes)

    Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

  • Deuteronomy 31:8 (7 votes)

    And the LORD, he [it is] that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.